Sports

Novak Djokovic holds his winner's trophy and celebrates his victory over Matteo Berrettini in the Wimbledon men's singles final match on Sunday in London. (ALBERTO PEZZALI/Associated Press)

Novak Djokovic holds his winner's trophy and celebrates his victory over Matteo Berrettini in the Wimbledon men's singles final match on Sunday in London. (ALBERTO PEZZALI/Associated Press)

PRO TENNIS: Djokovic wins Wimbledon to tie Federer, Nadal with 20 Slams

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, July 11, 2021
WIMBLEDON, England — Novak Djokovic tied Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal by claiming his 20th Grand Slam title Sunday, coming back to beat Matteo Berrettini 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the Wimbledon final. The No.
Ashleigh Barty poses with the trophy for the media after defeating Karolina Pliskova to win the Wimbledon women's singles final on Saturday in London. (KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/Associated Press)

Ashleigh Barty poses with the trophy for the media after defeating Karolina Pliskova to win the Wimbledon women's singles final on Saturday in London. (KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/Associated Press)

PRO TENNIS: Barty wins Wimbledon for 2nd major

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, July 10, 2021
WIMBLEDON, England — Everything came so easily for Ash Barty at the start of the Wimbledon final. Hard to believe one player would grab the first 14 points of a major championship match. Surely, it couldn't stay that one-sided, right? Of course not.
The 2001 Suwannee High state championship boys track team will be inducted into the Suwannee Athletics Hall of Fame this fall. Other Class of 2021 members include Charles Blalock, Tanya Fowler and Kevin Greene. (COURTESY)

The 2001 Suwannee High state championship boys track team will be inducted into the Suwannee Athletics Hall of Fame this fall. Other Class of 2021 members include Charles Blalock, Tanya Fowler and Kevin Greene. (COURTESY)

PREP SPORTS: One team, three individuals to join SHS Hall of Fame

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, July 10, 2021
LIVE OAK — Already state champions, the Suwannee High 2001 boys track team is about to garner another title: Hall of Famers. That team, along with three individuals, will be inducted into the Suwannee Athletics Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021.
Suwannee’s Karis Smith (left) slides in underneath a tag last season against Columbia. Smith ended her junior season as the team’s ace in the cirlce, finishing 8-4 with a 2.88 ERA. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee’s Karis Smith (left) slides in underneath a tag last season against Columbia. Smith ended her junior season as the team’s ace in the cirlce, finishing 8-4 with a 2.88 ERA. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Suwannee's Smith secures all-state second team nod

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, July 8, 2021
Another week, another accolade for Suwannee junior Karis Smith. The Lake City Reporter’s Softball Player of the Year added all-state recognition to her honors Thursday when Miracle Sports released its Class 4A all-state teams.
Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos hoists the Stanley Cup after the Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in Game 5 Wednesday in Tampa. (DIRK SHADD/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos hoists the Stanley Cup after the Lightning defeated the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in Game 5 Wednesday in Tampa. (DIRK SHADD/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)

NHL: Lightning beat Canadiens to repeat as Cup champions

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
TAMPA — Quieting the din inside Amalie Arena for just a moment, Gary Bettman looked over to the Tampa Bay Lightning and reached back into the dark days of the pandemic perhaps one last time.
Demetric Jackson left Fort White after 14 seasons as head coach to take over at Columbia last week. (FILE)

Demetric Jackson left Fort White after 14 seasons as head coach to take over at Columbia last week. (FILE)

COMMENTARY: Demetric Jackson won at Fort White & he’ll do the same with a lot more talent at Columbia

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
We’re about to see what Demetric Jackson can do with a whole lot more ammunition. And it’s going to be pretty intriguing.  Columbia’s new football coach gets his chance to coach at the Class 6A level, a big jump from his years as Fort White’s main man.
Branford shortstop Cera McElreath throws to first base for an out against Hilliard in the Region 3-1A semifinals on May 6. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Branford shortstop Cera McElreath throws to first base for an out against Hilliard in the Region 3-1A semifinals on May 6. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford, Fort White honored on Class 1A all-state team

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Several members from the Branford and Fort White softball teams were named to the Miracle Sports Class 1A all-state teams on Tuesday. Branford shortstop Cera McElreath led the way with all-state first-team honors.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence signed his rookie contract on Monday, a deal worth more than $6 million. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence signed his rookie contract on Monday, a deal worth more than $6 million. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

NFL: QB Trevor Lawrence signs $36.8M rookie contract with Jags

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, July 5, 2021
JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence signed his four-year rookie contract Monday, clearing the way for him to attend the start of training camp in three weeks. Under the NFL's rookie slotting system, Lawrence's deal was projected to be worth $36.
Suwannee pitcher/outfielder Matthew Gill is the LCR's Baseball Player of the Year. (COURTESY)

Suwannee pitcher/outfielder Matthew Gill is the LCR's Baseball Player of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Gill named LCR's Baseball Player of the Year

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, July 2, 2021
LIVE OAK — Every game Suwannee plays ends in a ritual. Win or lose, the baseball team gathers around the right-field line as coaches list off accomplishments by each player through that day’s practice and game performances.
FGC center Jarrett Gardner goes up for a shot against Pasco-Hernando State College during a game on March 4. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

FGC center Jarrett Gardner goes up for a shot against Pasco-Hernando State College during a game on March 4. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: FGC center Jarrett Gardner commits to Penn State Altoona

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, July 2, 2021
Jarrett Gardner will be a big man on a new campus. The Florida Gateway College center verbally committed to Penn State Altoona on Friday, a Division III school that competes in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.