Sports

Columbia's Niki Sossie dribbles the ball up the field during a match against Orange Park on Jan. 9. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia's Niki Sossie dribbles the ball up the field during a match against Orange Park on Jan. 9. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOCCER: Columbia girls make playoffs as last team in Region 1-5A field

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, January 31, 2025
Following Monday’s loss to Orange Park in the District 3-5A semifinals, Columbia needed some help to make the playoffs. Things broke their way Thursday night and Friday’s bracket reveal led to a lot of cheers from the Tigers.
Fort White’s boys basketball team celebrates Jaydan Jackson’s 1,000th career point following Thursday’s win over Bronson. (COURTESY)

Fort White’s boys basketball team celebrates Jaydan Jackson’s 1,000th career point following Thursday’s win over Bronson. (COURTESY)

PREP ROUNDUP: Jackson tops 1,000 career points as Fort White boys blow out Bronson

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Jayden Jackson recorded his 1,000th point of his career and finished the night with 25 points to lead the Fort White boys basketball team to a 77-38 win over Bronson at home Thursday night. Tafari Moe also scored 25 points for the Indians (10-9) as they won their sixth straight.
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.