Sports

Blayze Mattox is the 2025 state champion for ages 13 and under. He competed at the USA Weightlifting Florida State Championship in Lake Wales. Submitted

Blayze Mattox is the 2025 state champion for ages 13 and under. He competed at the USA Weightlifting Florida State Championship in Lake Wales. Submitted

State champion

Amanda Bishop NCR Editor & Publisher   Ten-year-old Blayze Mattox reigns as state champion for weightlifters age 13 and younger in the 39 kilogram division. Mattox competed among the state’s best at the USA Weightlifting Florida State Championship in Lake Wales Saturday.
Lady Rambler Ellie Page attempts to tag Hilliard’s Janelle Geoghagan at first base April 10.

Lady Rambler Ellie Page attempts to tag Hilliard’s Janelle Geoghagan at first base April 10.

CMS three-peats as county champion

Lady Rambler Ellie Page attempts to tag Hilliard’s Janelle Geoghagan at first base April 10. Hilliard Middle School was poised to win 8-6 until Callahan Middle rallied in the seventh inning, forcing an eighth inning to break the tie.
The Lady Flashes are among the Final Four in the Rural Class.

The Lady Flashes are among the Final Four in the Rural Class.

Lady Flashes reflect on road to state finals

Anna Newhoff NCR Reporter   As the final buzzer sounded, the Lady Flashes were crowned Rural Class Region 3 champions.  Hilliard Middle-Senior High School hosted the regional championship Feb. 18. The Lady Flashes secured a hard-fought 67-64 victory over the Fort White Indians.
The Lady Flashes celebrate with their regional trophy. They will face Holmes County in Lakeland Feb. 26 at 5 p.m.

The Lady Flashes celebrate with their regional trophy. They will face Holmes County in Lakeland Feb. 26 at 5 p.m.

Lady Flashes move on to Final Four, boys end season

The Lady Flashes are going to the big show. They defeated Fort White 67-64 Feb. 18 to advance to the Final Four of the Rural Class.  The boys lost a nail-biter against Fort White later that same evening, falling 62-59. Hilliard's girls will travel to Lakeland to face Holmes County at 5 p.m. Feb.
The Flashes celebrate with their district championship trophy.

The Flashes celebrate with their district championship trophy.

Hilliard teams district champs

For the first time since 1995, both of Hilliard’s basketball teams are district champions. 
The West Nassau High School cheerleaders are world champions once again and also took home a national championship and a fourth-place finish.

The West Nassau High School cheerleaders are world champions once again and also took home a national championship and a fourth-place finish.

Champion Warriors

The West Nassau High School cheerleaders are world champions once again and also took home a national championship and a fourth-place finish. The team competed at the Universal Cheerleaders Association High School Nationals in Kissimmee Feb. 9-10.
The Hilliard Middle-Senior High School cheerleaders made school history by placing second in the Game Day division at the Florida High School Athletic Association state championship Jan. 31.

The Hilliard Middle-Senior High School cheerleaders made school history by placing second in the Game Day division at the Florida High School Athletic Association state championship Jan. 31.

Hilliard takes second place in Game Day

The Hilliard Middle-Senior High School cheerleaders made school history by placing second in the Game Day division at the Florida High School Athletic Association state championship Jan. 31. The team competed among Class 1A competition.
The West Nassau High School cheerleaders display the school’s 14th state championship trophy. The team won first place in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A Medium Non-Tumbling Jan. 31.

The West Nassau High School cheerleaders display the school’s 14th state championship trophy. The team won first place in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A Medium Non-Tumbling Jan. 31.

West Nassau cheer wins 14th state title

The West Nassau High School cheerleaders display the school’s 14th state championship trophy. The team won first place in the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A Medium Non-Tumbling Jan. 31. Keys Gate placed second while Bradford finished third.