Sports

Naomi Osaka holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup aloft defeating Jennifer Brady in the women's singles final at the Australian Open on Saturday in Melbourne, Australia. (MARK DADSWELL/Associated Press)

Naomi Osaka holds the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup aloft defeating Jennifer Brady in the women's singles final at the Australian Open on Saturday in Melbourne, Australia. (MARK DADSWELL/Associated Press)

PRO TENNIS: Osaka wins Australian Open, stays perfect 4 for 4 in Slam finals

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, February 20, 2021
MELBOURNE, Australia — As Naomi Osaka strode through the Champion's Walk leading to the court for the Australian Open final — headphones on her ears, racket bag strapped to her back — she reached out her left hand to tap a panel marked with her name and the year of her previous title there.
Columbia forward Marcus Peterson goes up for a shot against Santa Fe on Feb. 4. Peterson scored 32 points in Thursday’s 96-73 win over Tate in the Region 1-6A quarterfinals. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia forward Marcus Peterson goes up for a shot against Santa Fe on Feb. 4. Peterson scored 32 points in Thursday’s 96-73 win over Tate in the Region 1-6A quarterfinals. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia scores most points in Faulkner tenure to top Tate in Region 1-6A quarterfinals

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, February 18, 2021
CANTONMENT — Steve Faulkner has had teams score over 90 points in a game in his career as a head coach.  It doesn’t happen very often and just once in his six years at Columbia. But Thursday night was a new high with him at the helm. It came at the perfect time for the Tigers too.
Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan meets with umpires before his team’s game against Florida A&M on March 4, 2020, in Gainesville. (AP FILE PHOTO)

Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan meets with umpires before his team’s game against Florida A&M on March 4, 2020, in Gainesville. (AP FILE PHOTO)

COLLEGE BASEBALL: No. 1 Florida carries ultra-high expectations into opener

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, February 18, 2021
GAINESVILLE — Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan might have the easiest — some would say toughest — job in college baseball this season. “Sully” has what’s widely considered the deepest and most talented team in the country, a unanimous preseason No. 1 pick.
Columbia’s Marcos Medina-Rodriguez looks to pass during the District 2-6A championship against Lincoln on Feb. 8. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s Marcos Medina-Rodriguez looks to pass during the District 2-6A championship against Lincoln on Feb. 8. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS SOCCER: Tate squeaks past Columbia in penalty kicks to advance in Region 1-6A playoffs

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
CANTONMENT — Tate applied pressure over the course of 100 minutes but Columbia never caved. Scoreless through regulation and overtime, Wednesday night’s Region 1-6A quarterfinal was settled in penalty kicks.
Columbia guard Amare Ferrell drives to the basket as Lincoln guard Jaylen Auston defends during the District 2-6A championship last Friday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Amare Ferrell drives to the basket as Lincoln guard Jaylen Auston defends during the District 2-6A championship last Friday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia’s journey back to Lakeland begins at Tate

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Tate won just three games during the regular season. That number doubled in the District 1-6A tournament. Don’t dare underestimate the Aggies. Three teams just did and Columbia doesn’t plan on making the same mistake.