Sports

The Branford boys soccer team celebrates with the District 2-2A trophy after defeating Bell 3-2 on Thursday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

The Branford boys soccer team celebrates with the District 2-2A trophy after defeating Bell 3-2 on Thursday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS SOCCER: Contreras nets hat trick to rally Branford past Bell for first district title

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, January 30, 2025
BELL — Carlos Contreras couldn’t find the words to describe his performance. Instead, he let his play speak for itself.  Within the span of two minutes early in the second half, the Branford forward netted a hat trick to bring his team back from a two-goal deficit and lift the No.
Suwannee lifter Katherine Lansford completes her clean and jerk attempt at the District 4-1A meet on Jan. 24. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee lifter Katherine Lansford completes her clean and jerk attempt at the District 4-1A meet on Jan. 24. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING: Full list of regional qualifiers

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, January 30, 2025
The following weightlifters from Columbia, Branford, Fort White and Suwannee qualified for this weekend’s regional meets.
Fort White guard Jayden Jackson sizes up a 3-point shot against Lafayette on Tuesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Jayden Jackson sizes up a 3-point shot against Lafayette on Tuesday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Fort White buries Lafayette in second half

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
FORT WHITE — Clinging to a two-point lead heading into halftime, Fort White coach Elven Sheppard leaned into his team. He asked if his players had anything more to give on the court against Lafayette.  Whatever exactly was said in the locker room, it worked.
Columbia guard Shaheed White shoots while defended by Gainesville forward Cornelius White on Jan. 23. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Shaheed White shoots while defended by Gainesville forward Cornelius White on Jan. 23. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL: FHSAA releases new rankings for district tournaments

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
The FHSAA released the seeding for the boys and girls basketball district tournaments on Tuesday. Here’s who the area teams will play and where they sit in their respective playoff races. BOYS DISTRICT 2-5A All games at higher seeds, times TBA Schedule: Feb. 3, quarterfinals: No. 5 Chiles at No.
Suwannee’s Arthur Vanderpool wrestles against St. John Neumann’s Landon Lewis during the Class 1A state duals semifinals on Saturday. (DEE DEE JOLICOEUR/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee’s Arthur Vanderpool wrestles against St. John Neumann’s Landon Lewis during the Class 1A state duals semifinals on Saturday. (DEE DEE JOLICOEUR/Special to the Reporter)

BOYS WRESTLING: Suwannee comes up short in state duals semifinals

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
KISSIMMEE — The third time wasn’t the charm for Suwannee at the FHSAA state duals. The Bulldogs’ chase for their first state duals championship came to an end Saturday in a 38-32 semifinal loss to St. John Neumann at the Class 1A state duals tournament at Osceola High.
Columbia's Mia Brasel tries to dribble past Orange Park's Heily Davila on Jan. 9. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia's Mia Brasel tries to dribble past Orange Park's Heily Davila on Jan. 9. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia girls fall to Orange Park in District 3-5A semis

NEWS STAFF
Monday, January 27, 2025
Two goals from Mia Brasel weren’t enough for the No. 3 seed Columbia girls soccer team Monday night as No. 2 seed Orange Park squeaked out a 3-2 win at home in the District 3-5A semifinals. The Raiders (12-2-1) pulled out the win despite six saves by CHS goalkeeper Sadie Sparks.