Sports

Suwannee state runner-up Marshall White is the LCR’s Wrestler of the Year. (AMANDA WILLIS/Special to the Reporter)

WINTER ALL-AREA: Suwannee state runner-up Marshall White named LCR's Wrestler of the Year

JAMIE WACHTER

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

LIVE OAK — Suwannee wrestling coach Joey Phillips had not seen anything like it before.

Columbia catcher Emily Delgado is thrown out at first base during Tuesday's loss to Gainesville. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia blows lead in seventh, loses to Gainesville on dropped pop up

JORDAN KROEGER

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

GAINESVILLE — Columbia dropped the ball late. Literally. After holding a one-run lead for most of the night, the Class 4A No. 7 Tigers gave it away in Gainesville's final at-bat Tuesday night.

Suwannee's Hampton Newman (16) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run against Wolfson in the District 3-3A semifinals on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Suwannee run-rules Wolfson in District 3-3A semis

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

LIVE OAK — Hampton Newman enjoyed a 17th birthday he'll definitely never forget.

Branford players celebrates with coach Brian Tomlinson after defeating Union County 4-2 in the District 6-R semifinals Tuesday night. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Branford, Lafayette advance to District 6-R championship

NEWS STAFF

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

LAKE BUTLER — Troy Roberts delivered a go-ahead RBI single and Patrick Williams also scored on a wild pitch in a decisive two-run sixth inning to lift No. 3 seed Branford to a 4-2 win over No. 2 seed Union County in the District 6-R semifinals Tuesday night at UCHS.

Branford's Troy Roberts strolls into second base during a game against Fort White on March 10. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Branford advances to District 6-R semis, Fort White upset by Hilliard

NEWS STAFF

Monday, April 14, 2025

LAKE BUTLER — No. 3 seed Branford scored 13 runs in the first inning and easily cruised to a 15-0 run-rule win over No. 6 seed Hawthorne in three innings in the District 6-R quarterfinals Monday night at Union County High School.

Columbia shortstop Trayce McKenzie turns off first base after a base hit against Flagler Palm Coast on April 4. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia squeaks past Fleming Island in District 3-5A semis on McKenzie's walk-off double

JORDAN KROEGER

Monday, April 14, 2025

ORANGE PARK — It took until the seventh inning for Columbia to muster a hit. But it was the only one the Tigers needed.

Fort White's boys weightlifting team won the Class 1A state titles in traditional and Olympic on Saturday. (COURTESY)

BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING: Fort White wins 1A state titles in traditional & Olympic

JORDAN KROEGER

Monday, April 14, 2025

LAKELAND — History was made Saturday. Fort White brought home not one but two team championships, winning the traditional and Olympic events at the Class 1A state meet for the first time in program history.

Fort White guard Tafari Moe is the LCR’s Boys Basketball Player of the Year. (AMANDA MOORE/Special to the Reporter)

WINTER ALL-AREA: Fort White guard Tafari Moe repeats as LCR's Boys Basketball Player of the Year

MORGAN MCMULLEN

Saturday, April 12, 2025

FORT WHITE — The goal was the same from the beginning. The consistency in Tafari Moe’s vision never wavered: Lakeland or bust. The Fort White guard had reason to believe in a state tournament appearance.

Columbia pitcher Bynton Edge winds up to pitch against Flagler Palm Coast on April 4. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: IMG Academy Black run-rules Columbia in regular-season finale

JORDAN KROEGER

Friday, April 11, 2025

BRADENTON — A bad start got worse in a hurry for Columbia.

Columbia lifter Garret Shipley finishes his clean and jerk during a meet in 2024. (FILE)

BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING: Shipley finishes runner-up on tough day at state for Columbia & Suwannee

JAMIE WACHTER

Friday, April 11, 2025

LAKELAND — State championship and medal hopes were jerked away from local lifters after unclean performances Friday in the second portion of the Class 2A state meet.