Sports

The Steve Claffey Memorial Game raises funds for the Steve Claffey Memorial Foundation, which provides a scholarship to a graduating Suwannee senior each year. The game was started in honor of a former middle school coach. (COURTESY)

The Steve Claffey Memorial Game raises funds for the Steve Claffey Memorial Foundation, which provides a scholarship to a graduating Suwannee senior each year. The game was started in honor of a former middle school coach. (COURTESY)

REC SOCCER: Suwannee hosting annual Claffey benefit tournament

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
LIVE OAK — A former Suwannee soccer coach’s memory will be honored again this holiday season. The 10th annual Steve Claffey Memorial Game will take place this weekend with events both Friday night at Langford Stadium as well as all day Saturday.
Columbia guards Kadrian Wilson (2) and Shaheed White (1) celebrate during the Tigers' win over Suwannee on Dec. 12. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guards Kadrian Wilson (2) and Shaheed White (1) celebrate during the Tigers' win over Suwannee on Dec. 12. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia tops Westminster Christian in OT in Battle on the Island finale

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Shaheed White scored 22 points as Columbia rallied to defeat Westminster Christian 75-66 in overtime in their final game of the Gold Championship Division at the Battle on the Island on Saturday at Fleming Island High School.
Fort White guard Desean Lally has his shot blocked by Newberry forward Brandon Kelly on Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Desean Lally has his shot blocked by Newberry forward Brandon Kelly on Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Newberry hands Fort White fourth straight loss

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, December 19, 2025
FORT WHITE — The Indians could find the positives in their first three losses of the season: a young team searching for its footing and identity early in the year.  Friday’s loss, however, left Fort White coach Elven Sheppard searching for answers.
Columbia wrestler Bella Guerrier-Lajoir (left) won the 140 class title while Leah Brown (right) also medaled with a sixth-place finish in the 190 class at the Rumble on the Range at The Villages Charter on Friday. (COURTESY)

Columbia wrestler Bella Guerrier-Lajoir (left) won the 140 class title while Leah Brown (right) also medaled with a sixth-place finish in the 190 class at the Rumble on the Range at The Villages Charter on Friday. (COURTESY)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 12/19/25

NEWS STAFF
Friday, December 19, 2025
Columbia, Suwannee, Branford and Lafayette were in action in basketball, soccer and wrestling on Friday. Here are scores and stats for Dec. 19.
Columbia guard Kadrian Wilson drives between Suwannee guards Jalen Hampton (2) and Kamarien Smith (4) on Dec. 12. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Kadrian Wilson drives between Suwannee guards Jalen Hampton (2) and Kamarien Smith (4) on Dec. 12. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 12/18/25

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Columbia, Fort White, Suwannee, Branford and Lafayette were in action on the hardwood and on the pitch on Thursday. Here are Thursday's scores and stats.
Columbia's Laelle Thompson dribbles the ball up the field as Suwannee's Maylee Grantham pursues her on Nov. 20. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia's Laelle Thompson dribbles the ball up the field as Suwannee's Maylee Grantham pursues her on Nov. 20. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Scores and stats from 12/17/25

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Columbia, Fort White and Suwannee were all in action on the pitch Wednesday night. Here are Wednesday's scores and stats. GIRLS SOCCER — Columbia 4, Fort White 1: Laelle Thompson and Marlee Hunt both scored two goals to lead the Tigers (6-5-1) over the Indians (3-7-2) at Arrowhead Stadium.
Fort White guard Jayden Jackson dribbles past Trenton forward Nathan Ridgell during Tuesday's 59-34 loss. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Jayden Jackson dribbles past Trenton forward Nathan Ridgell during Tuesday's 59-34 loss. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Indians drop second in a row to Trenton

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
FORT WHITE — The Indians hung tough early. But a turnover with time winding down in the first quarter — and the resulting play at the other end — set the tone for the rest of an ugly night.