Sports

Lafayette pitcher Hyatt Richardson is the LCR’s Baseball Player of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Lafayette star Hyatt Richardson named LCR's Baseball Player of the Year

Thursday, June 12, 2025

MAYO — Hyatt Richardson ended his senior season the same way he ended his sophomore campaign: in the quiet guts of Fort Myers’ Hammond Stadium, wondering what else he could’ve done on the mound in a state championship loss.

Columbia’s Colten Mitchell is the LCR’s Boys Tennis Player. (MANDI SLOAN/Lake City Reporter)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Columbia's Colten Mitchell named LCR's Boys Tennis Player of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

A year ago, Colten Mitchell wasn’t sure if he even belonged on the tennis court. Now, after a breakout sophomore campaign, Mitchell has established himself not only as Columbia’s No. 1 player, but as a foundational piece in the team’s future.

Columbia’s Cassidy O’Neal is the LCR’s Girls Tennis Player. (MANDI SLOAN/Lake City Reporter)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Columbia's Cassidy O'Neal named LCR's Girls Tennis Player of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

After three seasons of climbing Columbia’s lineup, Cassidy O’Neal made it to the top. Once she got there, she thrived. After starting her sophomore season as the No. 4 singles players and later finishing her junior year at No. 2, O’Neal took over the No.

Rick Julius led Fort White to the state Final Four in 2022, which was the first in program history. (FILE)

PREP BASEBALL: Julius resigns as Fort White coach after 12 seasons

JORDAN KROEGER

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

FORT WHITE — After a decade-plus at Fort White, Rick Julius is stepping away. Julius resigned as the Indians’ baseball coach, effective following Tuesday’s school board meeting.

Fort White state champion Lecosta Byrd is the LCR’s Boys Weightlifter of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Fort White state champion Lecosta Byrd named LCR's Boys Weightlifter of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER

Saturday, June 7, 2025

FORT WHITE — Lecosta Byrd entered his senior season at Fort White with one goal — a state title. He accomplished that, and then some.

Branford's 2025 football schedule.

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford changes up 2025 schedule

JAMIE WACHTER

Friday, June 6, 2025

BRANFORD — Setting sail in search of its fourth straight winning season, Branford will have work to do to find that prize. BHS coach Tim Clark said the Buccaneers’ 2025 slate is possibly the toughest they’ve faced in his nine years at the helm.

Columbia guard Alfonso Curry rises for a bucket against Hawthorne on Thursday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia plays cleaner second half to pull away from Hawthorne

JORDAN KROEGER

Thursday, June 5, 2025

After a turnover-filled first half, Columbia cleaned things up offensively and eventually pulled away for a 60-41 win over Hawthorne at home Thursday night in the second game of summer league. Here are some observations from the victory.

Fort White guard Tylan James goes for a reverse layup in Fort White’s summer league opener Thursday against Williston. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: ‘Skeleton crew’ limits Fort White in summer league opener

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Thursday, June 5, 2025

FORT WHITE — With so many players missing for its first summer league game, Fort White relied on a troupe of role players from last season. A skeleton crew of an Indians squad figured out its own identity as it went along in Thursday’s 51-34 loss against Williston.

Columbia running back Jerome Horne turns the corner for a gain against Bolles last season. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia finalizes 2025 schedule with additions of Oakleaf for Classic, Bolles for finale

JORDAN KROEGER

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Columbia’s football schedule is done. Both games will be in Lake City this season too. The Tigers finalized their 2025 slate Thursday, adding Oakleaf for their Kickoff Classic and Bolles for their 10th game in Week 11.

Lafayette state medalist Jordan Murphy is the LCR’s Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Lafayette state runner-up Jordan Murphy named LCR's Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year

JAMIE WACHTER

Thursday, June 5, 2025

MAYO — Facing the last triple jump of his career, Lafayette’s Jordan Murphy knew what he had to do: go beyond what he’d ever done before. Sitting in fourth place at the Class 1A state meet in May with a personal-best jump of 13.