Sports

Fort White guard Jayden Jackson rises for a layup against Trenton in the District 6-R championship on Feb. 7. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Jayden Jackson rises for a layup against Trenton in the District 6-R championship on Feb. 7. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Fort White preaching patience against aggressive Crossroad Academy defense in Rural state semis

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
FORT WHITE — Fort White coach Elven Sheppard is used to this process by now: win a championship, be forced to refocus for the next run. Only this time, the Indians’ efforts are geared toward a much, much larger goal. Even still, Sheppard believes his guys are ready for the challenge.
Suwannee center fielder Brianna Stephens rounds first base after hitting an RBI single in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Gainesville. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee center fielder Brianna Stephens rounds first base after hitting an RBI single in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Gainesville. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Suwannee outlasts Gainesville behind Stephens' big night

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
GAINESVILLE — After a pair of close losses by a combined three runs last season against Gainesville, Suwannee coach Greg Gabey knew their two regular-season matchups this year would be just as tough. Round 1 in 2025 went to the Bulldogs.
Fort White lifter Lecosta Byrd completes his clean and jerk during Monday’s meet. (COURTESY)

Fort White lifter Lecosta Byrd completes his clean and jerk during Monday’s meet. (COURTESY)

PREP ROUNDUP: Fort White & Suwannee win weightlifting meets

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Fort White swept Olympic and traditional events at a six-team meet on Monday. The Indians ran away with the Olympic event by winning nine of 10 weight classes, tallying 110 points ahead of Trenton (18), Hamilton County (17), Bishop Snyder (12), Taylor County (8) and Madison County (7).
Columbia wrestlers Carlee Morrison, Bella Guerrier-Lajoir, Ja'Niyah Williams and Josie Raulerson qualified for the state meet following their top-four performances at the Region 1-1A IBT on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Columbia wrestlers Carlee Morrison, Bella Guerrier-Lajoir, Ja'Niyah Williams and Josie Raulerson qualified for the state meet following their top-four performances at the Region 1-1A IBT on Saturday. (COURTESY)

GIRLS WRESTLING: Four from Columbia qualify for state

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, February 24, 2025
PANAMA CITY — Columbia Pete Whittington was expecting at least two of his four wrestlers to qualify for the state meet, but he was hoping for all four. He got his wish.
Columbia wrestlers Jorryn Brown, Elijah Cray, Cyler Robinson, Kevin Fink, Zhane Smith and Xavier Williams qualified for the Region 1-2A IBT with top-four finishes at the District 2-2 IBT on Friday. (COURTESY)

Columbia wrestlers Jorryn Brown, Elijah Cray, Cyler Robinson, Kevin Fink, Zhane Smith and Xavier Williams qualified for the Region 1-2A IBT with top-four finishes at the District 2-2 IBT on Friday. (COURTESY)

BOYS WRESTLING: Columbia sends six on to regionals

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, February 24, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — It wasn’t Columbia’s best effort, but it wasn’t its worst either. Considering such a young squad, coach Pete Whittington was “OK” with the Tigers’ performance at the District 2-2A IBT on Friday at Chiles High School.
Columbia right fielder Tison McCray lets out a roar at third base after hitting a triple against Bartram Trail on Friday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia right fielder Tison McCray lets out a roar at third base after hitting a triple against Bartram Trail on Friday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia holds on to beat Bartram Trail in sloppy affair

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, February 21, 2025
It was far from Columbia’s best effort. But it was just good enough. The Tigers built an 8-2 lead, then held on for dear life late to hand Bartram Trail its first loss of the season with a 10-8 victory at home Friday night.