Sports

PREP FOOTBALL: Legendary coach Richard Anders dies at age 94

TONY BRITT

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Legendary local high school football coach Richard Harold Anders, who led Richardson High School to championships in an age of segregation, died last week in Virginia. He was 94.

Columbia’s Camrin Wilcoxon gets set to return a serve in a match last season. (FILE)

CHS BOYS TENNIS PREVIEW: Wilcoxon aims to return to state as Tigers move into new district

JORDAN KROEGER

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Camrin Wilcoxon got a taste of the state tournament as a freshman. But the road back as a sophomore will be arguably tougher. Wilcoxon returns as Columbia’s No. 1 tennis player this season, aiming to improve upon last year’s first-round exit at state.

Columbia’s Adrienne Foreman returns a shot in a match last season. (FILE)

CHS GIRLS TENNIS PREVIEW: Fresh start for Lady Tigers with new coach, players & district

JORDAN KROEGER

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

New is the word for Columbia this season. There’s a new coach, some new players and a new district. Brandi O’Neal has taken over as the new coach of the Lady Tigers following Michelle Lear’s resignation after two seasons.

Fort White guard D.J. Mathews goes up for a shot against Hilliard during Tuesday’s District 6-1A semifinals. (ZACH ABOLVERDI/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Hilliard ends Fort White's season in District 6-1A semifinals

ZACH ABOLVERDI

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

FORT WHITE — Fort White’s season came to an end Tuesday. The Indians suffered their third loss of the year to Hilliard, 68-39, this time in the District 6-1A semifinals.

Fort White pitcher Tyler Shelnut throws to a batter in a game last season. (FILE)

FWHS BASEBALL PREVIEW: Indians head into Class 1A with big expectations

JORDAN KROEGER

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

FORT WHITE — Seven seniors have moved on, but that’s no big deal. A move down to Class 1A, coupled with some transfers, has Fort White’s expectations sky high heading into the 2020 season.

CHS

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia shuts out Middleburg in preseason finale

NEWS STAFF

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Luke Dotson struck out six and gave up just four hits to lead Columbia to a 17-0 win over Middleburg in its preseason finale Tuesday night at Baker County. Hunter Thomas and Cole Chancey also had three hits each for the Tigers, who will open the regular season next Tuesday at Gainesville.

Fort White

PREP ROUNDUP: Fort White tops Union County in District 6-1A quarterfinals; CHS baseball wins preseason opener

NEWS STAFF

Monday, February 10, 2020

No. 4 seed Fort White defeated No. 5 seed Union County 58-35 in the boys basketball District 6-1A quarterfinals Monday at home. The Indians (8-13) move on to face top-seeded Hilliard tonight at home at 7:30 p.m., with the winner clinching a playoff berth.

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)

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)

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.