Sports

Fort White shortstop Ciara Byrd high fives assistant coach Chad Padgett after bringing in the winning runs against Madison County on Monday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White shortstop Ciara Byrd high fives assistant coach Chad Padgett after bringing in the winning runs against Madison County on Monday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Fort White rallies in seventh to top Madison County for fifth straight win

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, April 5, 2021
FORT WHITE — Ciara Byrd didn’t have anything else on her mind.  Coming to the plate with the bases loaded and her team down by two, she had one clear objective.  “I’m thinking, ‘Be smart at the plate,’” Byrd said of her mindset the last at-bat.
Columbia second baseman Sofia Arata can’t hold onto a throw as Dixie County left fielder Emily Chewning slides safely into second base Monday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia second baseman Sofia Arata can’t hold onto a throw as Dixie County left fielder Emily Chewning slides safely into second base Monday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia's struggles continue in loss to Dixie County

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, April 5, 2021
Columbia hasn’t caught many breaks with injuries this season. Spotty defense hasn’t helped either. But that wasn’t all that went wrong for Columbia on Monday night against Dixie County.
Columbia tight end Daniel Bennett smiles after catching a touchdown pass against Englewood last season. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia tight end Daniel Bennett smiles after catching a touchdown pass against Englewood last season. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

CHS FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Bennett & Redic commit to colleges; Peterson announces top six schools

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, April 5, 2021
Two more from Columbia’s 2021 class are headed to the next level. Columbia tight end/defensive lineman Daniel Bennett announced his commitment to Henderson State University on Monday, one day after receiver Jaquez Redic verbally committed to Iowa Wesleyan University.
Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs (1) celebrates making the game-winning basket with Joel Ayayi, left, against UCLA during overtime in the Final Four semifinal game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday in Indianapolis. Gonzaga won 93-90. (MICHAEL CONROY/Associated Press)

Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs (1) celebrates making the game-winning basket with Joel Ayayi, left, against UCLA during overtime in the Final Four semifinal game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday in Indianapolis. Gonzaga won 93-90. (MICHAEL CONROY/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Suggs banks in winner, Zags top UCLA to advance to title game

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, April 3, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS — Jalen Suggs took the inbounds pass and saw nothing but clear sailing. Three dribbles. Past the half-court line. A little stutter-step.  And straight into history.
Baylor guard Jared Butler (12) passes over teammate guard Adam Flagler (10) and Houston forward Justin Gorham (4) during the Final Four semifinal game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday in Indianapolis. (MICHAEL CONROY/Associated Press)

Baylor guard Jared Butler (12) passes over teammate guard Adam Flagler (10) and Houston forward Justin Gorham (4) during the Final Four semifinal game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday in Indianapolis. (MICHAEL CONROY/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Baylor routs Houston to reach title game

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, April 3, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS — Nearly two decades ago, Scott Drew decided to leave his comfort zone at tiny Valparaiso for the scandal-plagued basketball program at Baylor, explaining to his father that there was nowhere for the Bears to go but up. Now, they’re one win away from the top.
Suwannee weightlifter Matti Marsee hugs her father and assistant coach Dan Marsee after winning the Class 1A state title in the 110-pound weight class on Feb. 12. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee weightlifter Matti Marsee hugs her father and assistant coach Dan Marsee after winning the Class 1A state title in the 110-pound weight class on Feb. 12. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING: Marsee named Dairy Farmers Class 1A Girls Weightlifter of the Year, Shearer receives Coach of the Year

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 2, 2021
LIVE OAK — Brittney Shearer’s first order of business as Suwannee’s girls weightlifting coach in 2018 was to raise the program’s standard. Shearer aimed to make the sport important, to make sure her lifters knew she believed it was important.