Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

08 Sep

Randleman’s resiliency goes well with Kirkpatrick-to-Goldston connections in conquering Bunker Hill

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, John Kirkpatrick, Payton Patterson, prep football, Randleman Tigers, Tyshaun Goldston

Randleman quarterback John Kirkpatrick looks to throw downfield against Bunker Hill on Friday night. (Jann Ortiz / For Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – Randleman’s football team put on an impressive aerial show Friday night before the need to regroup against Bunker Hill. The Tigers mastered that as well in pulling out a 35-21 non-conference home victory in a matchup between teams that might be Class 2A state contenders. “We knew it was going to be a challenge,” Randleman quarterback John Kirkpatrick said. “I’m just glad my guys could come out here and execute the way they could. I’m just thankful for…

08 Sep

Funds tagged for Randleman road upgrades; Group awards scholarships

Bob SuttonNewsGolden LEAF Foundation, Randleman, Ross Stores

ASHEBORO – Funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation in the amount of $400,000 has been designated for Randolph County to aid in roadway improvements associated with the Ross Stores distribution center in Randleman. The money comes in addition to the Golden LEAF Foundation’s $4.4 million distribution connected to 10 projects across the state. The award to Randolph County comes under a separate category for economic catalyst. This spring, Ross Stores announced plans to build a distribution center of about 1.7 million square feet. Public road improvements have been deemed necessary as part of the development of the area. Golden LEAF…

07 Sep

Smith won’t seek another term as Asheboro’s mayor

Bob SuttonGovernment, News, PoliticsAsheboro, Asheboro City Council, David Smith, mayor

David Smith is serving his fourth term as Asheboro's mayor. (Randolph Record file photo) ASHEBORO – David Smith won’t run for re-election as Asheboro’s mayor next year, so that will mark the end of more than a quarter-century of time as an elected city official. Smith said Friday he thought it was important to provide plenty of advance notice. “I wanted to make the announcement far enough out so anyone who wanted to run would be prepared,” he said. Smith, 71, has won four four-year terms as mayor after serving on city council for 12 years. He’ll serve through 2025,…

05 Sep

Andrews excited about transition at Trinity as new basketball coach

Bob SuttonSportsBrett Andrews, Prep Basketball, Providence Grove, Tim Kelly, Trinity Athletics Hall of Fame, Trinity Bulldogs

Brett Andrews (Courtesy photo) TRINITY – Brett Andrews doesn’t need to look at the projected Trinity roster for the upcoming boys’ basketball season. Nor does he have to scan the Bulldogs’ schedule. None of that matters because he knows he has his work cut out for him. He’s following legendary Tim Kelly as the Trinity coach. “I’d say coaching behind him is probably one of the toughest gets in North Carolina,” Andrews said. Andrews is a former Trinity standout athlete and ex-junior varsity coach for the Bulldogs. He’s back at the school after one season as Providence Grove’s coach. Kelly…

05 Sep

Girl Scout project leads to special dog park in Archdale

Bob SuttonNewsArchdale, Creekside Park, Girl Scouts, Wheatmore

Norah Parrish stands in front of the entrance to Barkdale Park in Archdale. (Courtesy photo) ARCHDALE – Norah Parrish reached a special achievement in Girl Scouts with a special award after completing project that has enhanced an area for dogs and their owners. But the biggest reward might have come because of the heightened awareness of Barkdale Park. “Seeing all the dogs and their owners using it,” Parrish said. And that was the whole idea. Parrish received the Girl Scout Gold Award for community service project. She addressed the lack of community awareness regarding Barkdale Park, which is part of…

03 Sep

Wheatmore Warriors search for winning ways, endure loss at East Davidson

Bob SuttonSportsDominic Hittepole, Jacob Sheffield, Johnathan Kelly, prep football, Wheatmore Warriors

THOMASVILLE – Wheatmore’s bid to make football inroads is bound to be a tussle, so a frustration-filled second half Monday night against East Davidson became troublesome on multiple levels. “The disappointing part is we worked so hard,” Wheatmore two-way lineman Ashtin Bennett said. “No excuse to come out the way we did the second half. I know we can play better.” East Davidson scored two second-half touchdowns to top the visiting Warriors 14-6 in a non-conference make-up game that was postponed from three nights earlier. The Warriors (0-2) had been encouraged by this matchup, looking for a breakthrough early in…

29 Aug

UCA’s Hunter hones skills after MVP honor

Bob SuttonSportsAmateur baseball, Jake Hunter, Prep baseball, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Jake Hunter was the Most Valuable Player in the Class 1A state finals a few months ago. (NCHSAA photo) ASHEBORO – When Jake Hunter was named the Most Valuable Player of the state championship baseball series in the spring, it turns out he was just getting warmed up. The Uwharrie Charter Academy pitcher had a summer filled with travel baseball and has been assessing some of the college recruiting interest that has been directed his way. “I kind of set my focus on travel ball and doing what I need to do to play college baseball,” Hunter said. Yet he…

25 Aug

Southwestern Randolph selects second Hall of Fame class

Bob SuttonSportsHall of Fame, Southwestern Randolph, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

ASHEBORO – There will be six inductees for the second class of the Southwestern Randolph Sports Hall of Fame. The group of Kaila Craven-Brandenburg, Lauren LaPlant, Randy Miller, Michael Wade Osborne, Donald Strider and Melissia Rogers Sutton comprise the induction class. The ceremony is set for Aug. 30. That night the inductees will be honored at halftime of the school’s football game against North Moore. This is the second class for the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. There were 14 inductees in the inaugural class last September. Here’s at look at this year’s inductees: ** Craven-Brandenburg had a distinguished girls’…

22 Aug

Ready to kick off: Teams in Randolph County hope for more early success this year

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, prep football, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Wheatmore Warriors

Coach Seth Baxter of Southwestern Randolph will have his team at home this week to begin the football season. (Neal Robbins / Randolph Record) Another season of high school football begins Friday night with Randolph County teams set for a variety of non-conference games. In each case, these are rematches from last year’s openers. In those games, Randolph County teams went a combined 5-2. Looking for more early success won’t come easy, though only three of the teams have road assignments. All games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Here’s an overview of the matchups: Randleman at Thomasville This could be…

21 Aug

Changes come for Providence Grove basketball

Bob SuttonSportsPrep baseball, Prep Basketball, Providence Grove athletics, Shane Worth

Baseball coach Shane Worth is adding basketball coaching to his duties at Providence Grove. (Randolph Record) CLIMAX – There’s changes in the works for Providence Grove’s basketball programs. Shane Worth has been summoned to fill a vacancy as coach of the boys’ basketball team. He recently concluded his first season as baseball coach at the school. Johnathan Gainey has left the Patriots after one season as girls’ basketball coach. He has been hired to coach girls’ basketball at West Forsyth. Both Providence Grove teams will have their third coach in as many seasons. Brett Andrews spent one season…