Sports

Florida forward Keyontae Johnson scores against LSU on Wednesday night. (AAU COMMUNICATIONS)

Florida forward Keyontae Johnson scores against LSU on Wednesday night. (AAU COMMUNICATIONS)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Johnson reaches rare air vs. LSU

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Thursday, February 27, 2020
GAINESVILLE — Heading into Wednesday’s crucial contest against LSU, Florida’s Keyontae Johnson had scored in double figures for 10 straight games. UF coach Mike White noted that Johnson’s confidence was improving, but still had room to grow.
Columbia’s wrestling team celebrates winning the District 2-2A IBT championship on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Columbia’s wrestling team celebrates winning the District 2-2A IBT championship on Saturday. (COURTESY)

WRESTLING: Tigers eager for regionals hot off district title

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Saturday was a day Columbia will never forget. The Tigers won their first district title in nearly 30 years, edging Lincoln by 18 points. It came as a bit of a surprise for Columbia, which was projected to finish third in the tournament behind not just the Trojans but also Chiles.
Columbia forward Charleston Ponds puts up a shot between Lincoln's Perry Fisher (11) and Jordan Wilford (10) during Tuesday night's Region 1-6A semifinal. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia forward Charleston Ponds puts up a shot between Lincoln's Perry Fisher (11) and Jordan Wilford (10) during Tuesday night's Region 1-6A semifinal. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia rallies past Lincoln, now one win from Final Four

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Charleston Ponds wasn’t happy with his performance in Columbia’s playoff opener against Chiles. He scored one point and didn’t make a shot from the field. “I said I was going to redeem myself,” Ponds said. “I’ve been putting up shots all week and after practice. I put up hundreds of shots.
Columbia pitcher Emma Edson hurls a pitch to the plate against Buchholz on Tuesday night. (ZACH ABOLVERDI/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Emma Edson hurls a pitch to the plate against Buchholz on Tuesday night. (ZACH ABOLVERDI/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia run-rules Buchholz in six innings

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Monday, February 24, 2020
GAINESVILLE — The Lady Tigers secured their first double-digit win of the season Monday, topping Buchholz 11-1 on the road in a mercy-rule victory in six innings. Columbia scored in every frame but the second and put the game out of reach in the fifth with a five-run frame.
Columbia guard Darrien Jones drives to the basket against Lincoln in the District 2-6A championship on Feb. 15. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Darrien Jones drives to the basket against Lincoln in the District 2-6A championship on Feb. 15. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia & Lincoln meet again, this time in regional semis

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, February 24, 2020
Another rematch awaits Columbia in the Region 1-6A semifinals. Five days after escaping with a 74-72 win over Chiles in their playoff opener, the Tigers now face Lincoln for the second time this season.
Columbia's wrestling team celebrates is pictured with the trophy after winning the District 2-2A IBT Tournament on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Columbia's wrestling team celebrates is pictured with the trophy after winning the District 2-2A IBT Tournament on Saturday. (COURTESY)

PREP ROUNDUP: CHS wrestling wins first district title in nearly 30 years; Dotson throws no-hitter in baseball's first win

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Columbia's wrestling team won the District 2-2A IBT title on Saturday, the program's first championship in nearly 30 years. The Tigers tallied 167 points, edging host Lincoln by 18. Alex McGuigan (138 class), Matthew Smith (152) and Joseph Rice (170) all won district titles.