Sports

Columbia slugger and pitcher Harleigh Price returns to lead a Tigers squad that returns its entire starting lineup. Price led the area with a .460 average and a .553 on-base percentage that included four home runs (tied for team high), 15 RBIs, six doubles, one triple and 15 runs scored as a freshman last season. She was also the team’s top pitcher with a 2.33 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 84 innings. (FILE)

Columbia slugger and pitcher Harleigh Price returns to lead a Tigers squad that returns its entire starting lineup. Price led the area with a .460 average and a .553 on-base percentage that included four home runs (tied for team high), 15 RBIs, six doubles, one triple and 15 runs scored as a freshman last season. She was also the team’s top pitcher with a 2.33 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 84 innings. (FILE)

SOFTBALL PREVIEW: Expectations high at Columbia, Fort White, Branford & Suwannee

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, February 13, 2025
The high school softball season gets underway next Monday. Here is a look at how the teams at Columbia, Fort White, Branford and Suwannee stack up this season in their brand new districts and regions.
Columbia’s J’Liyn Smith returns as the reigning LCR Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year. (FILE)

Columbia’s J’Liyn Smith returns as the reigning LCR Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year. (FILE)

TRACK & FIELD PREVIEW: 10 athletes to watch this season

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Last year’s Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year as well as both LCR Cross Country Runners of the Year are on the watch list this spring. They’re just three of 10 athletes to watch this track & field season. Here are five girls and five boys to keep your eyes on.
Fort White guard Tafari Moe tries to get off a shot while surrounded by Madison County's defense during Wednesday's Region 3-R semifinal. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Tafari Moe tries to get off a shot while surrounded by Madison County's defense during Wednesday's Region 3-R semifinal. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Fort White survives nail-biter, edges Madison County in Region 3-R semis

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
FORT WHITE — Jhy Smith rattled the rim with a putback dunk. With just under four minutes left in the game, the junior small forward sent Madison County’s side of the gym into a frenzy after giving his team its first lead since the opening minutes.
Columbia's Ayden Phillips is congratulated by coach Chris Howard after hitting a home run last season. (FILE)

Columbia's Ayden Phillips is congratulated by coach Chris Howard after hitting a home run last season. (FILE)

PREP BASEBALL: Phillips leads Columbia past Florida High

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
It was a typical day at the office for Ayden Phillips, who hit a 2-run home run and finished with three RBIs on a 3-for-3 night to lead Columbia to a 7-5 win over Florida High at home Wednesday night. Phillips also doubled in the win and scored two runs.
Columbia guard Shaheed White tries to throw pass around Gainesville forward Cornelius White during the Region 1-5A quarterfinals on Wednesday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Shaheed White tries to throw pass around Gainesville forward Cornelius White during the Region 1-5A quarterfinals on Wednesday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Gainesville outlasts Columbia in Region 1-5A quarterfinals

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
GAINESVILLE — It seemed like every rebound found the hands of a player in a white jersey. No matter how hard Columbia played, Gainesville’s size proved to be too much to handle in the Region 1-5A quarterfinals. The No.
Columbia pitcher Ayden Phillips pitches last season. (FILE)

Columbia pitcher Ayden Phillips pitches last season. (FILE)

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia drops season opener to West Nassau

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Columbia’s baseball team dropped its season opener on the road Tuesday night, losing to West Nassau 4-3 on a walk-off passed ball in the seventh inning. The Warriors (1-0) pulled out the victory after Logan Brooks’ pickoff throw to first base allowed the runner to advance to third.
Columbia forward Zavian Douglas shoots over Gainesville forward Cornelius White on Jan. 23. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia forward Zavian Douglas shoots over Gainesville forward Cornelius White on Jan. 23. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia eager for third crack at rival Gainesville in Region 1-5A quarterfinals

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Columbia gathered in the gym after practice Saturday afternoon anxiously awaiting the release of the state’s playoff bracket. There was one team the Tigers specifically wanted to face in the Region 1-5A quarterfinals, and they got their wish. The opening round of the regional playoffs will pit No.
Fort White guard Tafari Moe shoots while defended by Trenton guard Mason VunCannon during the District 6-R championship on Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Tafari Moe shoots while defended by Trenton guard Mason VunCannon during the District 6-R championship on Friday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Fort White aims to contain Madison’s playmakers in Region 3-R semis

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
FORT WHITE — Coming down off the high of a school’s first district championship in over a decade is never easy. Coming down just ahead of the playoffs? Even less so. That’s the challenge in front of coach Elven Sheppard and Fort White.