Sports

Columbia third baseman Alex Collins celebrates rounding third base after hitting a walk-off home run against Gainesville in extra innings on Feb. 18. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia third baseman Alex Collins celebrates rounding third base after hitting a walk-off home run against Gainesville in extra innings on Feb. 18. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

POLL RESULTS: Columbia third baseman Alex Collins voted LCR Athlete of the Week for Feb. 17-22

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Columbia third baseman Alex Collins was voted by the readers as the LCR Athlete of the Week for Feb. 17-22.  Collins received 718 of the 2,094 votes in our 15-nominee online poll following a week where she batted .400, had a .
Fort White guard Kendal Henry gets double teamed by Crossroad Academy forward Trenton Jones (11) and guard Jabari Boahen (0) during the Class Rural state semifinals on Wednesday in Lakeland. (CALVIN KNIGHT/Special to the Reporter)

Fort White guard Kendal Henry gets double teamed by Crossroad Academy forward Trenton Jones (11) and guard Jabari Boahen (0) during the Class Rural state semifinals on Wednesday in Lakeland. (CALVIN KNIGHT/Special to the Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Fort White comes up short against Crossroad Academy in Rural state semis

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
LAKELAND — The 2024-25 Indians got farther than any team before them. But after accomplishing their goal of getting to Lakeland, a punishing Crossroad Academy defense stymied any further progress.
Fort White’s baseball team stands along the first-base line prior to Wednesday’s game against Hamilton County. (COURTESY)

Fort White’s baseball team stands along the first-base line prior to Wednesday’s game against Hamilton County. (COURTESY)

PREP ROUNDUP: Fort White, Suwannee win on the diamond

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
JASPER — Carson Capallia went 3 for 3 with two RBIs and Aaron Parnell finished 2 for 2 with a double and two RBIs as Fort White’s baseball team remained undefeated with a 12-2 run-rule victory over Hamilton County in five innings on the road Wednesday night.
Branford's Mallory Blue shows off her grand slam ball after the Buccaneers defeated Middleburg on Tuesday night. (COURTESY)

Branford's Mallory Blue shows off her grand slam ball after the Buccaneers defeated Middleburg on Tuesday night. (COURTESY)

PREP ROUNDUP: Blue's grand slam leads Branford past Middleburg

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Mallory Blue hit a grand slam to lead Branford’s softball team to a 6-4 win over Middleburg at home Tuesday night. Blue also picked up the win for the Buccaneers (3-1) in the circle, finishing with seven strikeouts while allowing four runs — three earned — on nine hits and a walk in 5 2/3 innings.
Fort White guard Jayden Jackson rises for a layup against Trenton in the District 6-R championship on Feb. 7. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Jayden Jackson rises for a layup against Trenton in the District 6-R championship on Feb. 7. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Fort White preaching patience against aggressive Crossroad Academy defense in Rural state semis

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
FORT WHITE — Fort White coach Elven Sheppard is used to this process by now: win a championship, be forced to refocus for the next run. Only this time, the Indians’ efforts are geared toward a much, much larger goal. Even still, Sheppard believes his guys are ready for the challenge.
Suwannee center fielder Brianna Stephens rounds first base after hitting an RBI single in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Gainesville. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee center fielder Brianna Stephens rounds first base after hitting an RBI single in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Gainesville. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Suwannee outlasts Gainesville behind Stephens' big night

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
GAINESVILLE — After a pair of close losses by a combined three runs last season against Gainesville, Suwannee coach Greg Gabey knew their two regular-season matchups this year would be just as tough. Round 1 in 2025 went to the Bulldogs.