Sports

Columbia’s head basketball coach Steve Faulkner instructs his players against Dillard during the Class 6A state semifinals at The RP Funding Center on March 5, in Lakeland. (MICHAEL WILSON/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia’s head basketball coach Steve Faulkner instructs his players against Dillard during the Class 6A state semifinals at The RP Funding Center on March 5, in Lakeland. (MICHAEL WILSON/Special to the Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia coach Steve Faulkner finishes runner-up in 6A Coach of the Year voting

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, March 23, 2020
Columbia’s stellar basketball season received more recognition on Monday. Head coach Steve Faulkner finished runner-up in the the Florida Dairy Farmers Class 6A Coach of the Year voting behind Bartow’s Terrence McGriff, who led the Yellow Jackets to the state championship.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) smiles as he walks off the field before their preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, on Aug. 8, 2019. (MIKE MULHOLLAND/TNS)

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) smiles as he walks off the field before their preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, on Aug. 8, 2019. (MIKE MULHOLLAND/TNS)

NFL: Tom Brady officially signs with Buccaneers

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, March 20, 2020
TAMPA — A new look for the NFL: Tom Brady in Tampa Bay pewter and red rather than Patriots red, white and blue. The six-time Super Bowl champion quarterback signed a two-year contract in free agency on Friday, embarking on a “new football journey” with the Buccaneers.
Columbia baseball player Lance Minson steps into the batter's box during the Tigers' Purple & Gold game on Feb. 7. (FILE)

Columbia baseball player Lance Minson steps into the batter's box during the Tigers' Purple & Gold game on Feb. 7. (FILE)

PREP SPORTS: Is this it? Seniors hope the coronavirus doesn't end their careers prematurely

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Asherah Collins was in the middle of a track meet when she heard the news last Friday. The Columbia County school district was canceling classes, along with all athletic events, for two weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic following a statewide mandate.
Jaguars quarterback Nick Foles (7) looks for a receiver during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buccaneers at TIAA Bank Field on Dec. 1, 2019 in Jacksonville. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

Jaguars quarterback Nick Foles (7) looks for a receiver during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buccaneers at TIAA Bank Field on Dec. 1, 2019 in Jacksonville. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

NFL: Jaguars agree to trade QB Nick Foles to Bears

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Jaguars are trying to mitigate one of the costliest mistakes in franchise history. The Chicago Bears could benefit from the purge.
Florida State Seminoles cheerleaders during the Florida State Seminoles game against the Boise State Broncos at Doak Campbell Stadium on Aug. 31, 2019 in Tallahassee. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

Florida State Seminoles cheerleaders during the Florida State Seminoles game against the Boise State Broncos at Doak Campbell Stadium on Aug. 31, 2019 in Tallahassee. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

COLLEGE SPORTS: ACC, SEC officially cancel spring athletics for rest of academic year

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
The ACC was first. The SEC wasn’t far behind. Both conferences announced Tuesday that all athletic-related activities through the remainder of the academic year have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The ACC made the announcement shortly before noon.
Browns linebacker Joe Schobert (53) intercepts a pass against the Dolphins this past season. (SCOTT R. GAVIN/USA TODAY Sports/TNS)

Browns linebacker Joe Schobert (53) intercepts a pass against the Dolphins this past season. (SCOTT R. GAVIN/USA TODAY Sports/TNS)

NFL: Jaguars revamp D with LB Schobert, CB Dennard

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Jaguars opened free agency Tuesday by addressing two huge needs on defense. They agreed to terms with linebacker Joe Schobert and cornerback Darqueze Dennard, giving the unit a proven starter and another potential one.
Tom Brady talks with the media after a New England Patriots loss to the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (DAVID BUTLER II/USA TODAY Sports)

Tom Brady talks with the media after a New England Patriots loss to the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (DAVID BUTLER II/USA TODAY Sports)

NFL: Brady leaving New England, Brees staying put in New Orleans, plus more as free agency continues

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
The unimaginable has happened to Patriots fans: Tom Brady is moving on. The predictable has occurred for Saints fans: Drew Brees is staying put. No matter what else happens in NFL free agency on Tuesday, decisions by those two iconic quarterbacks deserve headlines.