Sports

Columbia volleyball player Lauren Wilson (middle) signed her national letter of intent Monday to play at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala. alongside her mother Michelle Wilson and her father Todd Wilson. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia volleyball player Lauren Wilson (middle) signed her national letter of intent Monday to play at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala. alongside her mother Michelle Wilson and her father Todd Wilson. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Wilson signs with Huntingdon College

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, February 10, 2020
Lauren Wilson didn’t make the volleyball team at Lake City Middle School in sixth grade. She didn’t make it in seventh either. Even in eighth, she only played in one game all season. But Wilson never quit. “I just loved it,” Wilson said.
Columbia honored Marlon Pollock (from left), Fonsa Bryant, Marcus Owens, D'Andre Jefferson, Jordan Smith, Darrien Jones and Kenney Gaines on Senior Night against Fort White on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Columbia honored Marlon Pollock (from left), Fonsa Bryant, Marcus Owens, D'Andre Jefferson, Jordan Smith, Darrien Jones and Kenney Gaines on Senior Night against Fort White on Saturday. (COURTESY)

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia boys beat Fort White for 13th straight win in hoops; CHS wrestling places sixth at Braves Invitational

NEWS STAFF
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Charleston Ponds scored 16 points and Kenney Gaines had 15 to lead Columbia to a 94-55 win over Fort White on Senior Night. D'Andre Jefferson also had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds and Darrien Jones finished with 14 points.
Columbia center Amaiya Callym is surrounded by Lincoln defenders during Saturday night's District 2-6A championship game. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia center Amaiya Callym is surrounded by Lincoln defenders during Saturday night's District 2-6A championship game. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Columbia falls to Lincoln in District 2-6A championship, draws Creekside in playoff opener

JORDAN KROEGER
Sunday, February 9, 2020
TALLAHASSEE — Despite falling to Lincoln 75-55 in Saturday’s District 2-6A championship, Columbia is headed back to the playoffs. The FHSAA unveiled the playoff brackets Sunday morning and the Lady Tigers were awarded the No. 5 seed in Region 1-6A. They’ll face No.
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.