Sports

Columbia guard Na’Haviya Paxton pulls up for a shot against Gainesville during Wednesday’s District 2-6A semifinals. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Na’Haviya Paxton pulls up for a shot against Gainesville during Wednesday’s District 2-6A semifinals. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Paxton goes off for 45 points to lead Columbia past Gainesville in District 2-6A semis

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Columbia will have the opportunity to claim its first district title in more than 20 years after dispatching the Gainesville 65-57 on Wednesday night in a District 2-6A semifinals behind a career-high 45 points from Na’Haviya Paxton.
South Carolina forward Justin Minaya (10) makes a shot over Florida forward Colin Castleton (12) during the first half Wednesday in Gainesville. (MATT STAMEY/Associated Press)

South Carolina forward Justin Minaya (10) makes a shot over Florida forward Colin Castleton (12) during the first half Wednesday in Gainesville. (MATT STAMEY/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: South Carolina pounds No. 22 Florida in paint for upset win

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
GAINESVILLE — South Carolina coach Frank Martin was beside himself as he counted 10 consecutive first-half possessions in which the ball failed to touch the paint. Turnovers. Offensive fouls. Long-range shots.
Columbia receiver Jaden Williams speaks during his signing ceremony on Wednesday. The 3-star prospect inked his LOI with Butler County Community College. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia receiver Jaden Williams speaks during his signing ceremony on Wednesday. The 3-star prospect inked his LOI with Butler County Community College. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: 3-star WR Jaden Williams chooses Butler County CC, CHS 2021 class up to 9 along with FSU early signee Shyheim Brown

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
When Columbia 3-star receiver Jaden Williams decommitted from Western Michigan right before early signing day in December, he was hoping to find a new home by the time February rolled around. Instead, he was still looking on the day before National Signing Day arrived.
Suwannee’s Samantha Barber performs the clean and jerk during Friday’s Region 1-1A meet on Friday. Barber placed second in the unlimited class and received an at-large bid to state on Monday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee’s Samantha Barber performs the clean and jerk during Friday’s Region 1-1A meet on Friday. Barber placed second in the unlimited class and received an at-large bid to state on Monday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING: 23 lifters from the area qualify for state meets, including 14 from Suwannee

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 1, 2021
The Florida High School Athletic Association announced the at-large bids for the state meets on Monday and several area lifters made the cut. Columbia’s Da’Niya Lewis and Trachelle Williams will join regional champion Reece Chasteen at the Class 2A state meet on Feb. 13.