Lexi Carson and Chance Thyhsen contributed to this story Welcome to ESPN Gainesville’s Insider Look. In this episode, we are telling the story of rising star, Na’Haviya Paxton. Paxton is a 5’7 junior point guard hailing from Columbia High School girls basketball in Lake City, Florida, and she currently has …
Read More »FEATURE: Legendary Coach Elliot Harris Retires
Story by Victoria Siwek and Chris Will After 21 years and a successful 2020-2021 season, Santa Fe High School boys basketball coach Elliot Harris is stepping away from the program. He guided the team to its first championship in school history this season, falling just short of a 4A state …
Read More »St. John Paul II defeats Saint Francis Catholic 63-56 to advance to the 2A Boy’s Basketball Regional Semi-finals
In collaboration with Trey Johnson After trailing the entire game, the St. John Paul II Panthers were able to dominate the fourth quarter, leading them to a 63-56 boy’s basketball victory on Thursday night against the Saint Francis Catholic Wolves. “We stayed together,” said coach Colin Anderson, “that was the …
Read More »Hornets Easily Fly Past Miners to Move Onto Regional Finals
In Collaboration with Steven Hieneman Fort Meade Is No Match After winning the 1A District 7 Championship, the Hawthorne girl’s basketball team (18-4) set their sights on the Class 1A Regional Tournament, going against the Fort Meade Team (6-7) for the semifinals. The Lady Hornets kept an impressive lead over …
Read More »Gainesville takes abrupt hit from Bradford
Players are swimming in their own sweat and stress as the game goes into overtime. Minutes dial down to seconds and the scoreboard still stands at 66 all. Each team is frustrated, tired and ready to take reign over the other. Overtime conundrum With both teams tied at 59, pressure …
Read More »Gainesville Native Trent Whittemore Thrives in Gators’ Home Opener, Hopes For More
You Never Forget Where It All Started Just down the road from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville native Trent Whittemore made a name for himself. The local legend recorded the first touchdown catch of his college football career last Saturday just down the street from his house. The 6’4″ 208-pound …
Read More »Hawthorne boys’ basketball survives Wildwood scare, advances to Lakeland
The tension was high at Bill Woods Court. The Hornets held a 28-point lead early in the third quarter, but that lead was whittled down to five by Wildwood early in the fourth. However, Hawthorne stepped up their shot-making in the final period, matching each blow from the Wildcats with …
Read More »Local high school regional hoops roundup
The local high school basketball scene is lighting up tonight. Multiple regional playoff games are taking place across the landscape and six teams are looking to advance. @RowdyEHSRams vs @VHS_Hoops. Tonight 7:00pm EST. Watch this game LIVE on the NFHS Network!@FHSAA I #FHSAA I @Coach_Daniels58 📺 Watch Link: https://t.co/0aNeLnxtfo pic.twitter.com/rAyL2nm74t …
Read More »Eastside Boys Basketball Regional Championship Preview
After a strong regular season and a dominant showing in district competition, the Eastside boys basketball team begins play in regional action. District Championship The Rams coasted through the district championship, where they faced Bradford and Santa Fe. In these games, they won by a combined margin of 45 points. …
Read More »Hawthorne Girls’ Basketball Advances to State Semifinals with win over Wildwood
In a physical battle that saw everything from bloodied noses to fan ejections, the Hawthorne girls’ basketball team outfought Wildwood. They won 47-41 in the Regional Finals to advance to the State Semifinals for the second year in a row. Story of the game: Physicality In a game between a …
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