Sports

Columbia guard Darrien Jones drives by Gainesville’s Alex McCray on Tuesday night. (THOMAS RICKS/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia guard Darrien Jones drives by Gainesville’s Alex McCray on Tuesday night. (THOMAS RICKS/Special to the Reporter)

PREP SPORTS: Columbia's basketball teams sitting in playoff positions following FHSAA's first rankings

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Columbia’s basketball teams are in the playoff hunt following the FHSAA’s first set of rankings released on Wednesday. Not taking into account Tuesday night’s games, Columbia’s boys team is third in Region 1-6A with a rating of 12.382, behind just District 2-6A opponent Lincoln (15.
Columbia guard Kenney Gaines passes away from Gainesville's Justin Wilburn on Tuesday night. (THOMAS RICKS/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia guard Kenney Gaines passes away from Gainesville's Justin Wilburn on Tuesday night. (THOMAS RICKS/Special to the Reporter)

COMMENTARY: GHS proves it’s still a threat in a tough district

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Nothing surprising about Tuesday night’s contest. It was the usual dogfight between Columbia and Gainesville. And it’s clear once again that this district will be a gauntlet. Maybe even tougher than in year’s past.
Columbia guard Jordan Smith drives to the basket against Gainesville’s Alex McCray on Tuesday night. (THOMAS RICKS/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia guard Jordan Smith drives to the basket against Gainesville’s Alex McCray on Tuesday night. (THOMAS RICKS/Special to the Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia escapes with win over Gainesville in OT

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
With under a minute to play in regulation Tuesday, Columbia senior point guard Darrien Jones stepped to the charity stripe with the Tigers up 59-54 over rival Gainesville. He missed both foul shots. The Hurricanes made him pay, rallying back in the final seconds and forcing overtime.
Florida defensive back Marco Wilson (3) celebrates an interception against Auburn in October. Wilson is returning to the Gators for 2020. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

Florida defensive back Marco Wilson (3) celebrates an interception against Auburn in October. Wilson is returning to the Gators for 2020. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Wilson to return for redshirt junior year

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, January 6, 2020
GAINESVILLE — Marco Wilson is staying in Gainesville. Florida’s redshirt sophomore cornerback announced on Monday that he will return for his redshirt junior season instead of declaring for the NFL draft. Wilson made his announcement on Twitter.
Florida forward Kerry Blackshear Jr. takes a jump shot over Alabama's Herbert Jones (1) during Saturday’s game at the O’Connell Center. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

Florida forward Kerry Blackshear Jr. takes a jump shot over Alabama's Herbert Jones (1) during Saturday’s game at the O’Connell Center. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

COMMENTARY: 4 takeaways from UF's come-from-behind win over Alabama

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Monday, January 6, 2020
GAINESVILLE — The Florida basketball team won its SEC opener Saturday in thrilling fashion, defeating Alabama 104-98 in double overtime. Here are four takeaways from the game. 1.
Columbia's wrestling team 3-peated as Tiger Duals champs on Saturday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia's wrestling team 3-peated as Tiger Duals champs on Saturday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

WRESTLING: Columbia 3-peats as Tiger Duals champs

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Columbia coach Pete Whittington always expects to win. Especially his own tournament. The Tigers 3-peated as champions of the Tiger Duals on Saturday, winning the round-robin event with a perfect 8-0 record.