Sports

Columbia forward Jalen Gaskins spins past Palatka forward Justin Fells for a layup on Wednesday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia forward Jalen Gaskins spins past Palatka forward Justin Fells for a layup on Wednesday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia holds off Palatka, Gaskins out for season

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Columbia coach Steve Faulkner was beside himself. After his team led by 14 points, he watched Palatka cut the deficit to eight late in the first half. Then he witnessed Zamarion Jones commit a foul with just seconds remaining in the first half.
Columbia guard Marlin Haywood helps the Tigers warm up prior to Friday’s game against Santa Fe. Haywood has transferred back to Columbia after playing football at Bradford this fall. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Marlin Haywood helps the Tigers warm up prior to Friday’s game against Santa Fe. Haywood has transferred back to Columbia after playing football at Bradford this fall. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Haywood returns for Columbia for 4 games in 4 days

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
A tough week has begun for Columbia. Four games in four days are on the docket, which began last night at Vanguard, but the Tigers (4-4) have received a boost. Senior guard Marlin Haywood has returned, transferring back from Bradford after playing football there in the fall.
Columbia's Brendan Schwartz (left) and Lafayette's Elder Santiago (right) battle for possession of the ball on Dec. 2. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia's Brendan Schwartz (left) and Lafayette's Elder Santiago (right) battle for possession of the ball on Dec. 2. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOCCER: Columbia squads on playoff bubble in first FHSAA rankings

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Despite good starts to the season, the Columbia soccer teams sit on the playoff bubble more than halfway through their campaigns. The FHSAA released its first soccer rankings on Tuesday and the CHS squads weren’t seeded as high as they may have expected.
Columbia guard Zamarion Jones is fouled by Santa Fe guard Cedric Collins while making the go-ahead layup in the final minute of Friday’s 62-57 win. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia guard Zamarion Jones is fouled by Santa Fe guard Cedric Collins while making the go-ahead layup in the final minute of Friday’s 62-57 win. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Jones’ late steal, layup helps Columbia rally past Santa Fe

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, December 13, 2024
With a chance to take the lead, Columbia guard Shaheed White was called for a travel with 31.2 seconds left. Santa Fe, nursing a one-point lead, called timeout, giving CHS coach Steve Faulkner a chance to remind the Tigers they had a foul to give. His message? Try to trap and force a steal.
Fort White guard Tafari Moe is bracketed by Newberry defenders during Friday’s 59-45 loss. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White guard Tafari Moe is bracketed by Newberry defenders during Friday’s 59-45 loss. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASKETBALL: Fort White boys, girls split with Newberry

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, December 13, 2024
NEWBERRY — With time ticking down in the first half and already at an 18-point disadvantage, Fort White still fought hard on the defensive end. If the defense was a little looser, the resulting 21-point deficit might not have existed.
Columbia's Cody Bass dribbles up the field past Suwannee's Denzel Yaxon on Wednesday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia's Cody Bass dribbles up the field past Suwannee's Denzel Yaxon on Wednesday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS SOCCER: Columbia wins fifth in a row, hands Suwannee sixth straight loss

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Columbia coach Ed Turner was surprised to hear his team had won five straight. He’s just trying to take it one match at a time, but he believes if the Tigers play to their full potential, they can be a special group.