Eastern Randolph’s Will Stalker makes a move toward the basket against South Stokes’ Korrin N’Diaye during the Class 1A West Region semifinal. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record)
The high school basketball season ended for Randolph County high schools after a pair of teams reached the third round of the state playoffs.
That’s as far as it went for Eastern Randolph’s boys and Uwharrie Charter Academy’s girls. They went on the road for the first time in the West Region and came up short in Class 1A games earlier this week.
Boys
Seventh-seeded Eastern Randolph was in a tight game with second-seeded South Stokes before falling 75-66 at Walnut Cove.
Timothy Brower’s career ended with a 31-point out. Julian Brooks, also a senior, had 10 points. Eastern Randolph (18-9) led 55-53 after three quarters.
It marked the second year in a row that Eastern Randolph’s season ended with a third-round loss at South Stokes. In 2023-23 on the way to the state final, the Wildcats won a regional semifinal at South Stokes.
The Wildcats completed a three-season stretch under coach Johnny Thomas when they won a total of nine games in the state playoffs.
Girls
UCA had the most successful season in school history end with a 79-35 loss at third-seeded Albemarle.
The sixth-seeded Eagles (24-8) were led by 10 points apiece from Nevaeh Staples, Lainey Thomas and Kayla Brown. UCA was held to 12 second-half points.
The Eagles made it to the third round of the state playoffs for the second time in program history.
The season included UCA’s highest win total and its first conference tournament championship.
