Sports

Darrien Jones was the linchpin of Columbia’s run to its first Final Four in 52 years. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

Darrien Jones was the linchpin of Columbia’s run to its first Final Four in 52 years. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

WINTER ALL-AREA: Jones named LCR's Boys Basketball Player of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, April 17, 2020
Growing up, Darrien Jones was simply known as Darrell Jones’ little brother. Darrell, who was four years ahead of him, was a star forward at Columbia and went on to play at Valdosta State. When Darrell graduated in 2016, Darrien entered high school a few months later.
Javon Kinlaw of the South Carolina Gamecocks warms up before their game against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Williams-Brice Stadium on Nov. 9, 2019 in Columbia, S.C. (JACOB KUPFERMAN/Getty Images/TNS)

Javon Kinlaw of the South Carolina Gamecocks warms up before their game against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Williams-Brice Stadium on Nov. 9, 2019 in Columbia, S.C. (JACOB KUPFERMAN/Getty Images/TNS)

NFL: Jaguars turn to draft to rebuild once-stout defense

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, April 17, 2020
JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville’s once-stout defense, which carried the franchise to the brink of the Super Bowl in 2018, is a shell of itself these days. The Jaguars traded Calais Campbell, A.J. Bouye, Jalen Ramsey and Dante Fowler. They cut Marcell Dareus, Tashaun Gipson and Malik Jackson.
Na'Haviya Paxton led the county in points, rebounds and assists to lead Columbia back to the playoffs. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

Na'Haviya Paxton led the county in points, rebounds and assists to lead Columbia back to the playoffs. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

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

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, April 16, 2020
When last year’s top player, Quianna Dillard, chose not to return for her senior season, Columbia needed a new leader to step up. Head coach Anthony Perry didn’t turn to a senior or a junior. Instead, he challenged his sophomore point guard Na’Haviya Paxton.
Garrison Land anchored the CHS defense, helping preserve several draws. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

Garrison Land anchored the CHS defense, helping preserve several draws. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

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

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Columbia avoided a losing record this season thanks to seven ties. Without center back Garrison Land, the Tigers’ 8-8-7 mark could have looked a lot worse. How much worse? Try seven more losses instead of seven draws.  “Seven. Truly,” Columbia coach Trevor Hickman said.
Vice President Mike Pence speaks at a Coronavirus briefing at the White House on April 10, in Washington, DC. (KEVIN DIETSCH/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM/TNS)

Vice President Mike Pence speaks at a Coronavirus briefing at the White House on April 10, in Washington, DC. (KEVIN DIETSCH/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM/TNS)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Commissioners tell VP no football before campuses open

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
The commissioners of the nation’s major college football conferences held a 30-minute conference call Wednesday with Vice President Mike Pence and stressed that college sports cannot return from the coronavirus shutdown until campuses have reopened.
Columbia forward Kirsten Garner set a school record with 27 goals. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia forward Kirsten Garner set a school record with 27 goals. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

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

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Eleven players scored a goal for Columbia this season but no one netted more than Kirsten Garner. No one else in school history has either. Garner set a school record this year with 27 goals, leading the Lady Tigers to their best season of the decade.
Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 McDonald's Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 07, in Avondale, Arizona. (CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/Getty Images/TNS)

Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 McDonald's Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 07, in Avondale, Arizona. (CHRISTIAN PETERSEN/Getty Images/TNS)

AUTO RACING: Larson fired after sponsors drop NASCAR driver over slur

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As sponsor after sponsor dropped Kyle Larson after he used a racial slur during a live-streamed virtual race, his NASCAR team owner was backed into a corner.