Sports

Columbia first baseman Daylon Lumpkin talks to Lance Minson after Minson reached first base safely during the Purple & Gold scrimmage Friday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia first baseman Daylon Lumpkin talks to Lance Minson after Minson reached first base safely during the Purple & Gold scrimmage Friday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

CHS BASEBALL PREVIEW: Tigers face new challenges in quest for sixth straight district title

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, February 7, 2020
A lot graduated and a few transferred, but expectations never waver at Columbia.  Not when you’ve won five straight district titles. But it’s a whole new ball game now for the Tigers, who enter a new district loaded with talent along with a new playoff format.
Columbia guard Kenney Gaines pulls up for a shot against Madison County on Friday night. (ZACH ABOLVERDI/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Kenney Gaines pulls up for a shot against Madison County on Friday night. (ZACH ABOLVERDI/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia beats Madison County for 12th straight win

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Friday, February 7, 2020
Columbia played for the first time in a week Friday, taking care of Madison County with a 51-35 win.  CHS coach Steve Faulkner was pleased with the result, but that’s about it.  “I’m happy we got out of here with a win, but that’s all I’m happy with right now,” Faulkner said afterward.
Jonathan Davenport spent this week in Tampa for the Winter Nationals at East Bay Raceway Park, and ran into trouble Wednesday. He hooked a rut, folded under his nose on the right front and was plowed into from behind, totaling his No. 49 car. (HEATH LAWSON/Special to the Reporter)

Jonathan Davenport spent this week in Tampa for the Winter Nationals at East Bay Raceway Park, and ran into trouble Wednesday. He hooked a rut, folded under his nose on the right front and was plowed into from behind, totaling his No. 49 car. (HEATH LAWSON/Special to the Reporter)

AUTO RACING: Davenport headlines the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Winter Nationals at All-Tech

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Friday, February 7, 2020
The last two years have been prosperous for Jonathan Davenport, the back-to-back Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion.  But 2020 is off to a rough start for Davenport, who hopes to find some good fortune Sunday at the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Winter Nationals.
Shannon Buckingham and his #50 care will be racing against more than 40 others Sunday for the $10,000 top prize at All-Tech Raceway. (HEATH LAWSON/Special to the Reporter)

Shannon Buckingham and his #50 care will be racing against more than 40 others Sunday for the $10,000 top prize at All-Tech Raceway. (HEATH LAWSON/Special to the Reporter)

AUTO RACING: Tennessee native Shannon Buckingham ready for All-Tech

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Friday, February 7, 2020
Preparing for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Winter Nationals has been a love-hate relationship for Shannon Buckingham. He is thrilled to take the track at the All-Tech Raceway on Feb. 9, but he wishes he had his old equipment with him.
Columbia catcher Reece Chasteen fields a bunt and throws to first base in a game against Middleburg last season. Chasteen, along with third baseman Morgan Hoyle (left) are two of the Lady Tigers’ returning starters this season. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia catcher Reece Chasteen fields a bunt and throws to first base in a game against Middleburg last season. Chasteen, along with third baseman Morgan Hoyle (left) are two of the Lady Tigers’ returning starters this season. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

CHS SOFTBALL PREVIEW: Lady Tigers embark in a new district with some new faces in 2020

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, February 6, 2020
There are new faces as well as a new district, but there’s still plenty of excitement around Columbia’s softball program heading into 2020.
Florida head coach Dan Mullen raises the championship bowl of oranges after the Gators defeated Virginia in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 30, 2019, in Miami Gardens. (AL DIAZ/Miami Herald/TNS)

Florida head coach Dan Mullen raises the championship bowl of oranges after the Gators defeated Virginia in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 30, 2019, in Miami Gardens. (AL DIAZ/Miami Herald/TNS)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: UF adds 3 more to 2020 class

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
GAINESVILLE — It had been a disappointing signing day for Florida coach Dan Mullen when he took the podium Wednesday at 2 p.m.  But during his press conference, Mullen smiled when asked if the Gators could land any more recruits.  “Absolutely,” he said.
Columbia held Senior Night against Orange Park on Wednesday. Pictured are assistant coach Gary McGuigan (back row, from left), Jesse Braden, Daveyon Brown, Bryson Reobuck and coach Pete Whittington; Ian McGuigan (front row, from left), Preston O’Quinn and Alex McGuigan. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia held Senior Night against Orange Park on Wednesday. Pictured are assistant coach Gary McGuigan (back row, from left), Jesse Braden, Daveyon Brown, Bryson Reobuck and coach Pete Whittington; Ian McGuigan (front row, from left), Preston O’Quinn and Alex McGuigan. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

WRESTLING: Tigers take down Raiders on Senior Night

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Senior Night was a little district preview for Columbia. The Tigers walked away feeling pretty good about themselves at the end of it. Columbia beat Orange Park 47-33 in Wednesday’s dual, an improvement after only winning the teams’ first matchup by a point earlier this season.
Columbia receiver Marquez Bell is pictured on his visit to Cincinnati at the end of January. Bell signed his national letter of intent with the Bearcats on Wednesday. (COURTESY)

Columbia receiver Marquez Bell is pictured on his visit to Cincinnati at the end of January. Bell signed his national letter of intent with the Bearcats on Wednesday. (COURTESY)

PREP FOOTBALL: 4-star wideout Marquez Bell signs with Cincinnati; seven others ink NLOIs at CHS

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Eight football players gathered in Columbia’s gymnasium for National Signing Day. But all eyes were on 4-star receiver Marquez Bell. Following his decommittment from USF back in December, Bell remained quiet the past two months on where he would play college football.