Sports

Columbia pitcher Nolan Slaymaker pitches against Newberry on March 3. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Nolan Slaymaker pitches against Newberry on March 3. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia gets some help to shut out Ridgeview in District 3-5A semis

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
FLEMING ISLAND — Ridgeview catcher Julio Matta was Columbia’s best friend in Tuesday’s District 3-5A semifinal. Matta made three errant throws, allowing the top-seeded Tigers to score four runs that paved the way for a 4-0 victory over the No. 4 seed Panthers at Fleming Island High School.
Lafayette's Trevor Byrd (right) taps helmets with teammates after hitting a three-run home run against Branford in Tuesday's District 6-R semifinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette's Trevor Byrd (right) taps helmets with teammates after hitting a three-run home run against Branford in Tuesday's District 6-R semifinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Lafayette run-rules Branford in District 6-R semis

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
MAYO — Lathan Garrard went 3 for 3 with four RBIs and three runs scored, Trevor Byrd hit a three-run homer, and Garrett Taylor drove in three more runs to lead No. 2 seed Lafayette to a 14-4 run-rule win over No. 3 seed Branford in five innings in Tuesday’s District 6-R semifinal.
Columbia pitcher Ryleigh Stone rounds first base after hitting a single against West Nassau on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Ryleigh Stone rounds first base after hitting a single against West Nassau on Thursday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

VARSITY NOTEBOOK: Freshman duo keep delivering for CHS softball

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
The freshmen continue to stand out for Columbia’s softball team. Shortstop Alannah Lord homered and drove in six runs while pitcher Ryleigh Stone tossed a one-hitter to lead the Tigers to a 9-1 road win over Bartram Trail on Thursday.
Columbia guard Kadrian Wilson rises for a bucket against Leon during the district semifinals this past season. The two teams won't be in the same district the next two seasons. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Kadrian Wilson rises for a bucket against Leon during the district semifinals this past season. The two teams won't be in the same district the next two seasons. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SPORTS: FHSAA releases tentative winter sports classifications for 2026-27 and 2027-28

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, April 10, 2026
There’s a good chance Columbia’s basketball teams will be playing their district tournaments in Jacksonville next season. The FHSAA released tentative new classifications for the winter sports on Friday for the 2027 and 2028 school years and the Tigers have been moved from Class 5A to 4A.
Columbia left fielder Addyson Sherman slides safely into home plate to score the game-winning run in the ninth inning of Thursday's 2-1 win against West Nassau. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia left fielder Addyson Sherman slides safely into home plate to score the game-winning run in the ninth inning of Thursday's 2-1 win against West Nassau. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia edges West Nassau in extra innings

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Ryleigh Stone couldn’t tell whether it was cold outside following her appearance in Thursday’s game against West Nassau. Even with the majority of the crowd bracing against harsh gusts with blankets and hoodies, the Columbia freshman didn’t feel a thing outside her own adrenaline.
Columbia pitcher Kyler Keen celebrates as first baseman Nolan Slaymaker makes the catch at first base for the final out of the Tigers' 3-2 win over Santa Fe on Thursday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Kyler Keen celebrates as first baseman Nolan Slaymaker makes the catch at first base for the final out of the Tigers' 3-2 win over Santa Fe on Thursday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia steals victory from Santa Fe to close out regular season

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, April 9, 2026
ALACHUA — Columbia coach Chris Howard was willing to try anything to score a run. With runners on the corners with one out, the Tigers found an unorthodox way to take the lead for good.