Sports

Alex McGuigan won district & regional titles to return to state. (COURTESY)

Alex McGuigan won district & regional titles to return to state. (COURTESY)

WINTER ALL-AREA: McGuigan named LCR's Wrestler of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, April 20, 2020
After losing his first match at state, Alex McGuigan battled back. The Columbia senior won his next two matches in the blood round. One more and he was headed to the medal stand. “I was feeling good,” McGuigan said.
Columbia's softball field prior to its game against Madison County on March 12. It was the Lady Tigers' last game this season. (FILE)

Columbia's softball field prior to its game against Madison County on March 12. It was the Lady Tigers' last game this season. (FILE)

PREP SPORTS: FHSAA cancels spring sports season due to covid-19, won't grant extra eligibility

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, April 20, 2020
Thirty-seven years in the dugout. Columbia baseball coach Brian Thomas has seen a lot in his long career across multiple states, but never anything like this. The harsh reality had been setting in for weeks, that the high school season was probably over.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee (11) catches a pass defended by New Orleans Saints defensive back Patrick Robinson during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game at TIAA Bank Field on Aug. 9, 2018, in Jacksonville. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee (11) catches a pass defended by New Orleans Saints defensive back Patrick Robinson during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game at TIAA Bank Field on Aug. 9, 2018, in Jacksonville. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

NFL: Jaguars waive oft-injured receiver Marqise Lee to save $5M

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, April 20, 2020
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Jaguars waived oft-injured receiver Marqise Lee on Monday to create nearly $5 million in salary cap space. The move had been expected for weeks.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the New York Jets at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Jacksonville. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the New York Jets at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Jacksonville. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

NFL: Ngakoue calls owner's son spoiled in Twitter spat

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, April 20, 2020
JACKSONVILLE — Ding, ding. Disgruntled Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue goaded minority owner Tony Khan into a Twitter exchange Monday in hopes of escalating his public trade demand. It may have backfired.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs for a first down during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 in Jacksonville. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs for a first down during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 in Jacksonville. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

NFL: Jaguars looking to trade RB Leonard Fournette

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, April 20, 2020
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Jaguars are ready to move on from running back Leonard Fournette. A person familiar with the decision says the Jaguars are actively looking to trade the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
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.