Sports

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.
Columbia Bassmasters Jackson Swisher (left) and Seth Slanker (right) signed their letters of intent to compete with Florida Gateway College on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia Bassmasters Jackson Swisher (left) and Seth Slanker (right) signed their letters of intent to compete with Florida Gateway College on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

FISHING: Columbia’s Slanker, Swisher sign with Florida Gateway College

TONY BRITT
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Less than 60 days after launching a collegiate fishing club, Florida Gateway College has signed its first two recruits — Seth Slanker and Jackson Swisher, former Florida high school state champions.
UF

UF

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Nembhard scores 24 as Gators beat Aggies

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Florida coach Mike White raved about his team's performance on offense after the Gators routed Texas A&M on Wednesday night.  “We really moved the ball well," he said. “It was the best we've moved the ball all year. That's as well as we've played offensively all year.
Columbia guard Na’Haviya Paxton drives to the basket against Gainesville on Nov. 19, 2019. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Na’Haviya Paxton drives to the basket against Gainesville on Nov. 19, 2019. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Columbia & Creekside meet again, this time in playoff opener

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
For the second year in a row and the first time since 1993-94, the Lady Tigers are back in the playoffs.  Columbia, which received the No. 5 seed in Region 1-6A, will be on the road tonight at 7 p.m. against No. 4 seed and District 3 champion Creekside.