Sports

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) points to a player behind him after making a basket in the closing seconds against the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the NBA basketball finals on June 7, 2009, in Los Angeles. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday. (AP FILE PHOTO)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) points to a player behind him after making a basket in the closing seconds against the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the NBA basketball finals on June 7, 2009, in Los Angeles. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday. (AP FILE PHOTO)

COMMENTARY: Kobe Bryant was MJ to an entire generation of fans

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, January 31, 2020
I’ve been trying to put this piece together since Sunday and, man, it’s been tough. Kobe Bryant’s sudden death in a helicopter crash really hit me like a ton of bricks. Anyone that knows me knows that I’m a huge basketball fan.
Columbia honored 11 players on Senior Night prior to Wednesday’s game against Fort White. They included Adriana Watson (12), Camryn Nix (13), Lauren Ward (4), Talisha Pope (16), Briana Watson (20), Ana Caballero (15), Kirstin McCormick (8), Emily Lamoreaux (00), Daisy Carmichael (6) and Kirstin Garner (10). Ember Russell-Martinez is not pictured. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia honored 11 players on Senior Night prior to Wednesday’s game against Fort White. They included Adriana Watson (12), Camryn Nix (13), Lauren Ward (4), Talisha Pope (16), Briana Watson (20), Ana Caballero (15), Kirstin McCormick (8), Emily Lamoreaux (00), Daisy Carmichael (6) and Kirstin Garner (10). Ember Russell-Martinez is not pictured. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS SOCCER: Columbia shuts out rival Fort White on Senior Night

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
It wasn’t just Senior Night.  It was also rivalry night, and Columbia was ready for all of it. Five players scored goals, including seniors Kirsten Garner and Camryn Nix, as the Lady Tigers shut out Fort White 5-0 Wednesday night at Tiger Stadium.
An American flag is stretched across the field at Camping World Stadium for the national anthem at the Pro Bowl on Sunday, in Orlando. (MICHAEL BJORKLUND-MALCOM/Special to the Reporter)

An American flag is stretched across the field at Camping World Stadium for the national anthem at the Pro Bowl on Sunday, in Orlando. (MICHAEL BJORKLUND-MALCOM/Special to the Reporter)

COMMENTARY: A great day at the Pro bowl

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
ORLANDO — Say what you want about the Jacksonville Jaguars on the field — because off the field they’re All Pros.  There’s little that surprises this seasoned journalist of 16 years. That was until last Wednesday.
Florida Gateway College will be home to a competitive bass fishing club starting in the fall. Release and photo attached. Pictured are Dr. Lawrence Barrett (from left) and coaches Rob Chapman, Ron Ryals, Shaw Grigsby and Hunter Bland. (COURTESY)

Florida Gateway College will be home to a competitive bass fishing club starting in the fall. Release and photo attached. Pictured are Dr. Lawrence Barrett (from left) and coaches Rob Chapman, Ron Ryals, Shaw Grigsby and Hunter Bland. (COURTESY)

OUTDOORS: Florida Gateway College finalizes coaching staff for new fishing club

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Florida Gateway College has finalized its coaching staff for its new competitive bass fishing club that will begin this upcoming fall.
Columbia forward Marlon Pollock drives baseline against Buchholz on Jan. 21. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia forward Marlon Pollock drives baseline against Buchholz on Jan. 21. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SPORTS: New playoff standings, district tournament brackets for winter sports

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Columbia’s boys basketball team remained second in Region 1-6A in the latest FHSAA’s playoff rankings released on Wednesday. The Tigers (19-2) are still behind District 2-6A foe Lincoln with a rating of 15.468, down a little from last week’s 15.750. The Trojans’ rating also dipped from 18.
Columbia guard Anzarria Jerkins pulls up for a jumper against Madison County on Tuesday night. (ZACH ABOLVERDI/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Anzarria Jerkins pulls up for a jumper against Madison County on Tuesday night. (ZACH ABOLVERDI/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Columbia finishes off Madison County with furious run

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Despite leading for the entire game Tuesday, the Columbia needed a late scoring surge to put away Madison County.  The Cowgirls cut the deficit to single digits, 56-47, with two minutes left to play. CHS took over from there, with shooting guard Anzarria Jerkins spearheading a 9-2 run.
Columbia’s Max Bavar dribbles past Chiles’ Robbie Allman on Tuesday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s Max Bavar dribbles past Chiles’ Robbie Allman on Tuesday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS SOCCER: Columbia ties Chiles for seventh draw of the season

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
They get down but they always fight back. That’s been the case all season for the Columbia Tigers, and Tuesday was no different. For the seventh time this season Columbia overcame a deficit to pull out a draw, tying with Chiles 1-1 in District 2-6A action at Tiger Stadium.
Columbia seniors Alec Villar (2), Max Bavar (17), Garrison Land (3), T.J. Hudson (6), Jeremy Erickson (8) and Garrett Fennell (15) were honored at halftime during Monday’s win over Taylor County. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia seniors Alec Villar (2), Max Bavar (17), Garrison Land (3), T.J. Hudson (6), Jeremy Erickson (8) and Garrett Fennell (15) were honored at halftime during Monday’s win over Taylor County. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS SOCCER: Columbia tops Taylor County on Senior Night in mercy-rule victory

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, January 27, 2020
Sixteen players had scored through Columbia’s first 20 games of the seasons. T.J. Hudson and Alec Villar were not on that list. So when the Tigers took the field for Senior Night on Monday, one of the team’s priorities was making sure they both found the back of the net. They both did — twice.