Sports

Columbia weightlifter Reece Chasteen lifts the bar during her clean and jerk at the Region 1-2A Meet on Saturday. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia weightlifter Reece Chasteen lifts the bar during her clean and jerk at the Region 1-2A Meet on Saturday. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Chasteen places second at regionals; McGuigan wins wrestling title at Flagler Rotary

NEWS STAFF
Saturday, February 1, 2020
Columbia’s top finishers at the Region 1-2A Meet on Saturday at Suwannee were Reece Chasteen and Morgan Hoyle. Chasteen placed second in the 199-pound weight class and Hoyle finished fifth in the 129 class. The two lifters will await at-large berths to the state meet next week.
Columbia guard Kenney Gaines pulls up for a jumper over Santa Fe’s Jamir Harris on Friday night in Alachua. (ZACH ABOLVERDI/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Kenney Gaines pulls up for a jumper over Santa Fe’s Jamir Harris on Friday night in Alachua. (ZACH ABOLVERDI/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Gaines explodes in second half to lead Columbia past Santa Fe for 10th straight win

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Friday, January 31, 2020
ALACHUA — With Marcus Owens (pinkeye) and Jordan Smith (USF football visit) out Friday, Columbia coach Steve Faulkner needed someone to step up on the road against Santa Fe.  Midway through the second quarter, he called on Kenney Gaines.
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.