Sports

Fort White guard Tylan James drives to the basket against Williston during Tuesday’s summer league contest. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Fort White a work in progress this summer

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

FORT WHITE — Though there’s still roughly six months before the first tip-off that matters, Fort White is working to figure out how to best approach next season.The Indians’ final week of summer league turned up a 73-44 loss to Williston on Tuesday.

Recent Columbia graduate Bella Guerrier-Lajoir shows off her medals after going 8-0 to earn All-American honors at the AAU Scholastic Duals over the weekend. (COURTESY)

GIRLS WRESTLING: Columbia grad Guerrier-Lajoir earns program’s first All-American honors

JORDAN KROEGER

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Bella Guerrier-Lajoir’s senior season ended one victory shy of the state tournament, leaving her questioning whether her career was over.Instead, just a few months later, the recent Columbia graduate accomplished something no female wrestler in school history had done before.

Branford first baseman Mallory Blue watches her home run soar over the fence against Fort White during the District 6-R semifinals on April 28. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford P/1B Blue signs with Grambling State

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

BRANFORD — Mallory Blue couldn’t ignore the call of opportunity coming from Louisiana.The former Branford first baseman and pitcher changed up her college plans this month, officially signing with Grambling State University to continue her softball journey.

Three area teams and seven individuals won state titles during the 2025-26 school year, while others made deep postseason runs. (FILE PHOTOS)

COMMENTARY: Top 10 moments from the 2025-26 school year

JORDAN KROEGER

Friday, June 26, 2026

This school year was one to remember. We finally saw teams break through for state titles, while other individuals won championships of their own. But what was the best of the best?Let’s take a look back at the top 10 moments from the 2025-26 school year.10.

Suwannee catcher Jace Moran is the LCR’s Baseball Player of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Suwannee catcher Jace Moran named LCR's Baseball Player of the Year

JAMIE WACHTER

Thursday, June 25, 2026

LIVE OAK — The brutal schedule — the eighth toughest in the state — was compiled for a reason.

Columbia pitcher Ryleigh Stone (left) and shortstop Alannah Lord (right) are the LCR’s Co-Softball Players of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Columbia freshmen Lord, Stone named LCR's Co-Softball Players of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Before they understood the full weight of expectations at Columbia, two freshmen were already reshaping them.Ryleigh Stone and Alannah Lord didn’t just break into the Tigers’ lineup — they took over games.

Columbia state champion Garret Shipley is the LCR’s Boys Weightlifter of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Columbia state champion Garret Shipley named LCR's Boys Weightlifter of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER

Saturday, June 20, 2026

For three years, Garret Shipley had a singular goal of winning a state title.By the time his senior season ended, he achieved that and plenty more.

Marcia Kazmierski (left) watches as Jensen Haire, 8, hits a tennis ball during the 10th annual James Montgomery Tennis Camp at Youngs Park on Thursday. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

YOUTH TENNIS: James Montgomery Tennis Camp wraps up 10th year

TONY BRITT

Friday, June 19, 2026

From the basic mechanics of forehands and backhands to advanced tennis techniques such as serves and volleys, dozens of local youngsters learned tennis basics in a camp that took place this month.

Lafayette state medalist Henry Stewart is the LCR's Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Lafayette state medalist Henry Stewart named LCR's Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year

JAMIE WACHTER

Thursday, June 18, 2026

MAYO — A year ago, Henry Stewart hoped to head to the Class 1A state track meet.Those dreams, though, were dashed when the Lafayette sophomore was injured in practice just ahead of the district meet. Instead of competing for the chance to head to state, Stewart’s season was over.

Suwannee state champion Ryleigh Hermanson is the LCR's Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Suwannee state champion Ryleigh Hermanson named LCR's Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year

JAMIE WACHTER

Thursday, June 18, 2026

LIVE OAK — It still hasn’t completely sunk in for Suwannee’s Ryleigh Hermanson.Even five weeks after capturing the Class 2A state title in the 1600m, it still doesn’t always compute that Hermanson is a state champion.“It’s still kind of weird when people congratulate me and I’m like, ‘For what?