Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Aaron Smith goes up between Murphy players during the first round of the Class 1A state playoffs Tuesday night. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record)
Uwharrie Charter Academy’s boys’ and girls’ basketball teams made it through the first round of the state playoffs.
Eastern Randolph’s boys and Southwestern Randolph’s girls and Randleman’s girls also advanced with victories Tuesday night.
The second round comes Friday night.
Not all teams were so fortunate in the opening round.
Boys
Randleman, the No. 2 seed in Class 2A West Region, was knocked off by No. 31 seed Forest Hills by 70-62.
It was a stunning conclusion for the Tigers (23-2), who had captured the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s regular-season and tournament championships and could have played four home games in the state playoffs if they had advanced.
Seniors Tyshaun Goldston and Chase Farlow led Randleman with 22 and 20 points, respectively.
Forest Hills, led by Landon Blakeney’s 23 points, stretched a 29-25 halftime lead to 49-39 entering the fourth quarter.
Also in Class 2A, sixth-seeded Lincoln Charter ousted No. 27 seed Providence Grove 82-56 despite 24 points from Will Dabbs and 11 points from Andrew Thomas. The Patriots finished 12-15 in their first season under coach Shane Worth.
In Class 1A, Eastern Randolph and UCA both won home games.
Seventh-seeded Eastern Randolph handled No. 26 Mitchell by 84-63.
Timothy Brower poured in 23 points to go with 11 assists. and Julian Brooks and Camden jones both notched 14 points for Eastern Randolph, which led 47-22 at halftime. Will Stalker added 11 points and eight rebounds.
The Wildcats (17-8) are home again Friday against 10th-seeded South Stanly (17-8).
Jaxon Mabe’s 17 points and Aaron Smith’s 15 points were tops for No. 16 UCA in its 61-46 victory against 17th-seeded Murphy.
UCA (19-9) next goes to top-seeded Bishop McGuinness (25-2) on Friday night.
In Class 3A, 17th-seeded Asheboro dropped a 76-63 decision at No. 16 seed Northeast Guilford (19-7) despite Osiris Rodriguez ending his career with 18 points. Jalial Timmons and Jewel Barrett-Riggins both had 13 points for the Blue Comets (15-9).
Girls
Two Class 2A teams in Randolph County advanced.
Third-seeded Southwestern Randolph topped No. 30 seed Southwestern Randolph 68-46 was Jordin George scored 23 points and the junior guard eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for her career.
Macy Allred had 13 points, Maddie Strider scored 12 points and Kenzie Martin added 10 points for the Cougars (26-1), who play again at home Friday night vs. 19th-seeded Bandys (17-8).
No. 15 seed Randleman defeated 18th-seeded Providence Grove 55-36 in a matchup between PAC members. Bella Byman’s 18 points and Jacquline McDaniel’s 13 points boosted the Tigers (16-10), who must go to second-seeded East Burke (27-1) on Friday.
Jada Nixon and Laurel Bernhardt had 11 points apiece for Providence Grove (17-9).
No. 20 seed Wheatmore (14-11) fell 77-42 at No. 13 seed Maiden (23-5).
In Class 1A, Nevaeh Staples poured in 21 points to lead sixth-seeded UCA past No. 27 Murphy 52-49. Next for the Eagles (23-7) is Friday night’s home game vs. No. 11 seed Highlands (14-10).
