Sports

Florida State guard Anthony Polite (2) celebrates a 3-pointer against Colorado during a second-round game in the NCAA Tournament at Farmers Coliseum on March 22 in Indianapolis. (CHARLES REX ARBOGAST/Associated Press)

Florida State guard Anthony Polite (2) celebrates a 3-pointer against Colorado during a second-round game in the NCAA Tournament at Farmers Coliseum on March 22 in Indianapolis. (CHARLES REX ARBOGAST/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Florida State charts a new course for the ACC

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, March 26, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS — North Carolina is long gone. Duke never made it. To find the ACC's biggest threat at March Madness this year, look past Tobacco Road and into the panhandle of Florida.
Columbia point guard Na’Haviya Paxton is once again LCR’s Girls Basketball Player of the Year. (COURTESY)

Columbia point guard Na’Haviya Paxton is once again LCR’s Girls Basketball Player of the Year. (COURTESY)

WINTER ALL-AREA: Paxton repeats as LCR's Girls Basketball Player of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Every time she took the court, you knew there was a shot you’d see something special. Whether it was a triple-double, reaching 1,000 career points as a junior or dropping 45 points in the district semis to send Columbia back to the playoffs, Na’Haviya Paxton balled on the floor this season.
Florida guard Noah Locke (10) shoots against Virginia Tech in the first round game of the NCAA Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 19 in Indianapolis. (MICHAEL CONROY/Associated Press)

Florida guard Noah Locke (10) shoots against Virginia Tech in the first round game of the NCAA Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 19 in Indianapolis. (MICHAEL CONROY/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Florida guards Locke, Glover transferring, increasing hole

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, March 25, 2021
GAINESVILLE — Florida guards Noah Locke and Ques Glover entered the transfer portal Thursday, one a surprise and the other expected. Losing them creates an even bigger backcourt hole for coach Mike White. Locke started 51 of the team's last 52 games. He averaged 10.
Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger reacts during a first-round game against Missouri in the NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium March 20 in Indianapolis. (DARRON CUMMINGS/Associated Press)

Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger reacts during a first-round game against Missouri in the NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium March 20 in Indianapolis. (DARRON CUMMINGS/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Former UF coach Lon Kruger retires after 35-year career

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, March 25, 2021
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger announced his retirement Thursday, ending a 35-year Division I college head coaching career that included taking five schools to the NCAA Tournament — with two of them reaching the Final Four — and more than 650 career wins.
Columbia’s Colby Strickland is the LCR’s Boys Soccer Player of the Year. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia’s Colby Strickland is the LCR’s Boys Soccer Player of the Year. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

WINTER ALL-AREA: Strickland named LCR's Boys Soccer Player of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Confidence reigns supreme for talented goalkeepers. Colby Strickland had that and a whole lot more for Columbia this season. The senior goalkeeper was a team leader, a captain, but most importantly, the string that tied together a tenacious defense that allowed only one goal per match.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) throws against the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 3 in Glendale, Ariz. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed former San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard on Wednesday, giving them an experienced backup if they trade Gardner Minshew. (RICK SCUTERI/AP File)

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) throws against the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 3 in Glendale, Ariz. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed former San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard on Wednesday, giving them an experienced backup if they trade Gardner Minshew. (RICK SCUTERI/AP File)

NFL: Jags sign QB Beathard, potentially setting up Minshew trade

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
JACKSONVILLE — Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard signed a two-year contract with Jacksonville on Wednesday, giving the Jaguars an experienced backup if they trade Gardner Minshew.
Florida head coach Mike White embraces Tre Mann after they defeated Virginia Tech in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 19 in Indianapolis, Ind. (BRETT WILHELM/Pool Photo via AP)

Florida head coach Mike White embraces Tre Mann after they defeated Virginia Tech in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 19 in Indianapolis, Ind. (BRETT WILHELM/Pool Photo via AP)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Tre Mann declares for NBA, says goodbye to Florida

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
GAINESVILLE — Florida point guard Tre Mann, the program's best one-on-one playmaker since Jason Williams more than two decades ago, is leaving school early and turning pro. Mann is expected to hire an agent and does not intend to return to college.
Columbia’s Skyler Ziegaus is the LCR’s Girls Soccer Player of the Year. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia’s Skyler Ziegaus is the LCR’s Girls Soccer Player of the Year. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

WINTER ALL-AREA: Ziegaus named LCR's Girls Soccer Player of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
She can shoot and pass. Even as a freshman, she stood out above the rest. Skyler Ziegaus was the offensive catalyst for Columbia this past season. She not only led the team with nine goals and nine assists but those numbers were also tops in the entire area.