Sports

Columbia weightlifter Reece Chasteen lifts the bar during her clean and jerk at the Class 2A state meet on Saturday. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia weightlifter Reece Chasteen lifts the bar during her clean and jerk at the Class 2A state meet on Saturday. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Chasteen places ninth at state; plus softball, wrestling & track & field all in action for CHS

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Columbia weightlifter Reece Chasteen placed ninth in the 199-pound weight class at the Class 2A state meet on Saturday in Panama City. Chasteen finished with a 355 total, breaking her own school bench press record by five pounds with a lift of 200 to go with her 155 clean and jerk.
Former University of Florida head coach and Gator legend Billy Donovan does the Gator Chomp as the court is renamed Billy Donovan Court during Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt. (AP PHOTO)

Former University of Florida head coach and Gator legend Billy Donovan does the Gator Chomp as the court is renamed Billy Donovan Court during Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt. (AP PHOTO)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Florida honors Billy Donovan, hammers Vanderbilt

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, February 15, 2020
GAINESVILLE — Florida opened and closed the first half with 3-pointers, a fitting tribute on a night the program honored former coach Billy Donovan. Noah Locke scored 19 points thanks mostly to a season-high six treys, Kerry Blackshear Jr.
Columbia's basketball team celebrates after defeating Lincoln to win the District 2-6A title on Saturday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia's basketball team celebrates after defeating Lincoln to win the District 2-6A title on Saturday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia holds on to beat Lincoln for back-to-back district titles, clinches No. 1 seed in region

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Steve Faulkner knew his group at Columbia was special from the first day of training camp. So he never let up on the Tigers. He was hard on them, because he knew their potential. On Saturday night, they showed just how good they can be. And it may just be the beginning.
Hailey Clemons gets in her stance playing first base for Fort White during last season’s district tournament against Bradford. (FILE)

Hailey Clemons gets in her stance playing first base for Fort White during last season’s district tournament against Bradford. (FILE)

FWHS SOFTBALL PREVIEW: Lady Indians move to 1A with young squad

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, February 14, 2020
FORT WHITE — Last year’s group was young and this year’s is no different. But Fort White is hoping experienced gained from a season ago will prove beneficial heading into 2020.  The Lady Indians are hungry as they head into Class 1A with a team that includes several underclassmen.
Columbia guard Na’Haviya Paxton shoots over Creekside’s defense during Thursday’s Region 1-6A quarterfinal. The Lady Knights won 65-50. (ZACH ABOLVERDI/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Na’Haviya Paxton shoots over Creekside’s defense during Thursday’s Region 1-6A quarterfinal. The Lady Knights won 65-50. (ZACH ABOLVERDI/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Columbia falls to Creekside in Region 1-6A quarterfinals

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Thursday, February 13, 2020
SAINT JOHNS — Columbia will have to wait another year for a playoff victory.  The No. 5 seed Lady Tigers made back-to-back postseason trips for the first time since the 1993-94 seasons, but saw their season come to an end Thursday with a 65-50 loss to No.
Columbia coach Lawrence Davis talks to his athletes during Wednesday’s practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia coach Lawrence Davis talks to his athletes during Wednesday’s practice. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

CHS TRACK & FIELD PREVIEW: Davis joins Johnson to help coach the Tigers

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, February 13, 2020
It’s been a long time since Columbia’s track and field team was feared across the state. It was 2002, the school’s only state title as a team. The goal is to one day get it back there and a new co-head coach is hoping to make it happen.