Sports

Newberry players pour out of the dugout after Desmond Taylor scored the game-winning run to defeat Columbia 12-11 on Tuesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Newberry players pour out of the dugout after Desmond Taylor scored the game-winning run to defeat Columbia 12-11 on Tuesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia blows lead late to Newberry, loses high-scoring affair

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
NEWBERRY — Following five lead changes and two ties, Columbia finally appeared on the verge of escaping with a win. Only an inconsequential run stood at first base in the bottom of the seventh inning and relief pitcher Colton Mote had just retired back-to-back Newberry batters.
Columbia catcher Emily Delgado hits a home run against Bartram Trail on March 19. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia catcher Emily Delgado hits a home run against Bartram Trail on March 19. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Delgado, King lead Columbia to shutout over Bronson

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
BRONSON — Emily Delgado homered and drove in six runs while Kinley King tossed a one-hitter as Class 4A No. 3 Columbia pulled away from Bronson late for 17-0 road victory Tuesday night.
Former Columbia High coach Bobby Simmons (middle) was honored prior to a Tigers’ game in 2023. The school’s all-time winningest coach, Simmons was pictured with CHS Principal Trey Hosford, his son-in-law (left), and CHS coach Brian Allen. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Former Columbia High coach Bobby Simmons (middle) was honored prior to a Tigers’ game in 2023. The school’s all-time winningest coach, Simmons was pictured with CHS Principal Trey Hosford, his son-in-law (left), and CHS coach Brian Allen. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Simmons, Columbia's all-time winningest coach, passes

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
The words — or word, really — still resonate with Mike Lee even 50-plus years later. As a senior at Columbia High, Lee asked his football coach, Bobby Simmons, for some life advice. Braced for some long response like most give, Lee instead received back a one-word answer.
Columbia center fielder Luisa Taylor makes the play on a deep fly ball against Lafayette on March 13. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia center fielder Luisa Taylor makes the play on a deep fly ball against Lafayette on March 13. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

SOFTBALL NOTEBOOK: Bartow snaps Columbia's 10-game win streak with shutout

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
BARTOW — It took three weeks, but someone was finally able to cool off Columbia. That someone was Bartow pitcher Ryleigh Knowlton. Knowlton struck out 10 and worked out of a couple of jams to shut out the Class 4A No. 3 Tigers and lift the Class 6A No.
Suwannee forward/midfielder Rember Alonso was the LCR’s Boys Soccer Player of the Year. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee forward/midfielder Rember Alonso was the LCR’s Boys Soccer Player of the Year. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

WINTER ALL-AREA: Suwannee's Rember Alonso named LCR's Boys Soccer Player of the Year

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, March 28, 2026
LIVE OAK — If there’s anybody more coachable than Rember Alonso, Suwannee coach Chris Joyner would like to meet them. Alonso’s politeness makes for an easy-going demeanor, Joyner contends, one that is not matched by the intensity with which he plays. The fuel that drives Alonso is pure.