Sports

The boys varsity basketball teams from Fernandina beach and Yulee high school faced off in Fernandina Beach on Dec. 5. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The boys varsity basketball teams from Fernandina beach and Yulee high school faced off in Fernandina Beach on Dec. 5. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Hornets sting Pirates on the hardwood

News Staff
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
The Yulee High School boys staved off the host Fernandina Beach Pirates 69-65 on Friday night. “I’m proud of how my guys played, they were resilient,” Yulee coach Connor Wetmore said afterward. The Hornets led 19-9 after one quarter and were up 32-18 by halftime.
A baseball card from Michael Johns’ time with the Portland Rockies. Submitted photo

A baseball card from Michael Johns’ time with the Portland Rockies. Submitted photo

Johns tabbed as Nationals bench coach

Nick Blank
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Fernandina Beach High School alum Michael Johns has joined the Washington Nationals as a bench coach, the next step in a more than 20-year coaching odyssey.Johns, 50, served as Tampa Bay’s first-base coach from 2024-25, where Johns oversaw outfield and base-running.
Photo by Nick Blank/ A crowd packed into Yulee High School's cafeteria Wednesday for National Signing Day.

Photo by Nick Blank/ A crowd packed into Yulee High School's cafeteria Wednesday for National Signing Day.

Four Hornets sign for collegiate programs

Nick Blank
Friday, December 5, 2025
Four Yulee High School athletes will take their talents to the next level after signing letters of commitment on Wednesday for National Signing Day.   With a party atmosphere, about 200 people, family, friends and students, greeted the four signees, taking selfies and sharing best wishes.
Group shot of all four FBHS athletes signing their letters of commitment on National Signing Day, Wednesday. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Group shot of all four FBHS athletes signing their letters of commitment on National Signing Day, Wednesday. By Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

FBHS athletes sign to colleges

Marisa DeMar
Friday, December 5, 2025
  Four athletes from Fernandina Beach High School signed their letters of commitment to play their sport at a collegiate level Wednesday on National Signing Day.
Reid Webber drives to the net

Reid Webber drives to the net

Pirates boys take down Terry Parker, ready for Yulee

Nick Blank
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
ARLINGTON — The Fernandina Beach boys basketball team surged to an early lead against the Terry Parker High Braves (0-4) and didn’t look back Monday night, leaving Jacksonville with a 51-24 victory.

Let’s go, Poe

Marisa DeMar
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
  Poe Pinson, the 20-year-old Olympian and professional skateboarder from Fernandina Beach, advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Skateboarding Tour World Cup in Kitakyushu, Japan which took place between Nov. 26-30.
Ken Marker crosses the finish line

Ken Marker crosses the finish line

On the mark

Nick Blank
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
A triathlon is an exacting test of endurance where competitors push themselves in running, biking and swimming.  With a fourth-place finish in the men’s 45-49 division, Ken Marker has claimed a place at Ironman World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
The Fernandina Beach girls cross country team at the FHSAA 2A Region 1 meet. Photo by Stephanie Nichols

The Fernandina Beach girls cross country team at the FHSAA 2A Region 1 meet. Photo by Stephanie Nichols

Lady Pirates race to state fourth year in a row

Submitted
Saturday, November 22, 2025
The Fernandina Beach high school girls and boys cross country teams competed at the FHSAA 2A Region 1 meet in Jacksonville last Friday with the girls team advancing to the state meet in Tallahassee this weekend for the fourth straight year and the boys qualifying one runner, John William Martin.
Pirates defensive lineman Kevin Ortiz makes a tackle

Pirates defensive lineman Kevin Ortiz makes a tackle

Warriors best Pirates in all-Nassau semifinal showdown

Nick Blank
Friday, November 21, 2025
One team from Nassau County was guaranteed to head to the Sunshine State Athletic Association final. Behind a terrific rushing output, the West Nassau Warriors (12-1) defeated the Fernandina Beach Pirates (7-5) in a 20-10 war of attrition.