Sports

Columbia forward Jolena Gardner tries to split a pair of Gainesville defenders Friday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia forward Jolena Gardner tries to split a pair of Gainesville defenders Friday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Columbia shelled by Gainesville again

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, January 24, 2025
An ill-fated third quarter for Columbia had finally come to an end. Or so the Tigers thought. Instead, Gainesville’s Kendall Ruise walked to the free-throw line to take a couple of untimed shots, sinking both and extending the Hurricane lead up to 21. It only got worse from there.
Fort White guard Jayden Jackson rises for a shot against Middleburg on Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Jayden Jackson rises for a shot against Middleburg on Monday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Fort White boys & girls top Branford in hoops

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 24, 2025
FORT WHITE — Despite just a 5-point fourth quarter, the Fort White boys held on to defeat Branford 42-37 on Senior Night on Friday. Tafari Moe led the way for the Indians (8-9) with 17 points while Jayden Jackson finished with 12 as they won their fourth straight.
Columbia's Cody Bass dribbles the ball up the field against Gainesville on Jan. 10. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia's Cody Bass dribbles the ball up the field against Gainesville on Jan. 10. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOCCER: Columbia boys & girls advance to District 3-5A semifinals

NEWS STAFF
Friday, January 24, 2025
Columbia’s soccer teams advanced to the District 3-5A semifinals with wins Thursday night at Tiger Stadium. The No. 3 seed CHS boys (10-3-3) shut out No. 6 seed Middleburg 2-0 thanks to two goals in the second half from Cody Bass, which came via assists from Nathan Matsubara and Trace Williams.
Columbia forward Jolena Gardner dribbles the ball up the court during a game against Rickards on Jan. 16. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia forward Jolena Gardner dribbles the ball up the court during a game against Rickards on Jan. 16. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASKETBALL: CHS girls blow out Buchholz, FWHS squads sweep Trenton

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, January 23, 2025
A pair of double-doubles led Columbia’s girls basketball team to a 55-29 road win over Buchholz on Thursday night. Mariah Cox finished with 15 points and 10 steals while Jolena Gardner posted 11 points and 13 rebounds as the Tigers (8-8) bounced back from back-to-back losses.
Fort White guard Tafari Moe rises for a layup during Monday’s win over Middleburg. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Tafari Moe rises for a layup during Monday’s win over Middleburg. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Moe downplays 1,000-point milestone, wants to help FWHS make playoff run

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
FORT WHITE — Needing just 148 points this year to hit a significant milestone, one of the Indians’ most consistent players over the last four years battled through a devastating injury to do just that. Guard Tafari Moe recently celebrated scoring his 1,000th point in his Fort White career.
Columbia forward Zavian Douglas (13) and guard Murkail Cray (0) eye a rebound and box out Suwannee while guard Shaheed White (4) also rushes in for a rebound last Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia forward Zavian Douglas (13) and guard Murkail Cray (0) eye a rebound and box out Suwannee while guard Shaheed White (4) also rushes in for a rebound last Friday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia faces 3 rivals in 3 nights, aiming to climb FHSAA rankings

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
With playoff seeding at stake, three games in a three-day stretch loom large for Columbia. The Tigers (13-8) will travel to face District 2-5A leader Gainesville (15-6) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., which will be the first of three rivalry games in as many days.