Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

23 May

Formula works for Faith Christian girls’ soccer program’s first state title

Bob SuttonSportsFaith Christian, North Carolina Christian School Association, prep soccer, state playoffs

Faith Christian’s Caroline Scarlett, left, Karrie Gaines, center, and Kyle Gaines celebrate during the state semifinals. (Courtesy photo) Eagles finally break through for elusive crown RAMSEUR – Faith Christian won a state championship in girls’ soccer for the first time in school history earlier this month. It didn’t occur by accident. “We knew we had the people if everybody did what they were supposed to do and everybody stayed healthy,” Eagles coach Brian Gaines said. Faith Christian topped host Wilson Christian 4-1 in the championship game of the North Carolina Christian School Association’s Class 2-A state tournament. It marked the…

21 May

Post 81 returns to action after one-year hiatus in American Legion baseball

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Eastern Randolph, Liberty Post 81, Nate Cockman, Post 81, Providence Grove

RAMSEUR – Baseball is back on the top American Legion level for Post 81. The Liberty Post 81 team began the season last week after a one-year hiatus. “With the community involvement, we were able to make it happen,” said Nate Cockman, the head coach. “We took that summer off to get those young guys ready.” With 18 players on board and potentially a couple of more, it’s a foundation that Cockman said he likes even with about half the players coming off their freshman years of high school. “It’s good for the future,” he said. “It’s going to be…

21 May

Veterans Council gears up for Memorial Day weekend in Randolph County

Bob SuttonEvents, NewsMemorial Day, randolph county, veterans

Here was part of the scene last year during a Memorial Day ceremony in Asheboro. (Randolph Record file photo) ASHEBORO – Placing flags at the graves of veterans is one of the activities taking place in advance of Memorial Day in Randolph County. Rob Wilkins, commander of the Randolph County Veterans Council, said it’s an important undertaking. “We need the public’s help,” Wilkins said. “We provide the flags for them. We want to encourage folks to do this whether they use our flags or purchase their own.” At 9 a.m. Saturday, veterans organizations and volunteers will place American flags on…

20 May

Randleman’s Farlow leaps to state title

Bob SuttonSportsChase Farlow, Class 2-A, Gracie Beane, Greensboro, North Carolina A&T, prep track and field, Randleman athletics, Randleman Tigers, State meet, Zach Hazelwood

Randleman’s Chase Farlow became the Class 2-A state champion in the high jump. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) High jumper takes calm approach to victory GREENSBORO – Randleman’s Chase Farlow had a good feeling when he prepared to leave home Friday morning for the Class 2-A state track and field championships. That mood turned to elation by the time the high jump competition concluded. He was a state champion. “You just want to feel it with the big meets,” Farlow said. And he sure did. Farlow’s leap of 6 feet, 8 inches made him a winner at North Carolina A&T’s…

19 May

Prep soccer: Wheatmore’s Garrison puts on show in potential final home game

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, Ellie Garrison, Natalie Bowman, nchsaa, prep soccer, Rick Massey, state playoffs, Wheatmore Warriors

Members of Wheatmore's girls' soccer team pose for a photo after winning a second-round game in the Class 2-A state playoffs. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) TRINITY – Ellie Garrison has scored more high school goals than any other player in North Carolina girls’ soccer history, so the second-round game of the Class 2-A state playoffs had fitting elements. It might have been Garrison’s final game on Wheatmore’s field, and she sure made the most of it. Garrison scored five times as the Warriors breezed past Mount Pleasant 9-0 on Thursday night. “It’s a very important game and it just…

12 May

Perfect game marks history for Faith Christian baseball team

Bob SuttonSportsFaith Christian, Mason Taylor, North Carolina Christian School Association, Prep baseball, state playoffs

Faith Christian pitcher Mason Taylor cranked out a perfect game during the state playoffs. (Photo courtesy Faith Christian) RAMSEUR – Mason Taylor made history for Faith Christian’s baseball team by throwing a perfect game. It marked the first such accomplishment in the 60-year history of the school, headmaster Todd Daniel said. For Taylor, a freshman right-hander, it came in the quarterfinals of the North Carolina Christian School Association state playoffs Tuesday. “I feel I’ve definitely improved,” Taylor said. He struck out 12 of 15 Southside Christian batters in the 10-0 home victory. The game ended when the Eagles scored four…

09 May

Everhart makes big jumps for Blue Comets

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Class 3-A, Lance Everhart, Mid-Piedmont Conference, prep track and field

Lance Everhart of Asheboro is a versatile track and field athlete with big goals. (Bob Sutton/Randolph Record) Asheboro senior sets high bar in field events ASHEBORO – Lance Everhart has found plenty of worthwhile events in track and field, but he knows what he likes best. “High jump, most definitely,” the Asheboro senior said. He has jumped into the conversation on a statewide level as one of the top leapers. The next phase of the postseason comes with Saturday’s Class 3-A Midwest Regional at Robinson High School in Concord. Everhart has a personal-best mark of 6 feet, 6 inches –…

08 May

Hoogkamp leaves baseball post following Asheboro’s playoff loss (updated)

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Brett Hoogkamp, Class 3-A, Mid-Piedmont Conference, Prep baseball

Asheboro baseball coach Brett Hoogkamp makes a mound visit during a game this season. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Asheboro baseball coach Brett Hoogkamp has stepped down, but he’s bound to be involved in area athletics again. Hoogkamp announced his intentions to resign shortly after the Blue Comets lost in the first round of the Class 3-A state playoffs Tuesday night. He finished his eighth season in the position. “It has been a good eight years,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed it. Once I got into coaching, it was kind of a dream of mine (to be a head coach) and I got…

07 May

Sportsplex grand opening comes with partnership in Asheboro

Bob SuttonEvents, NewsAsheboro, Cone Health, David Smith, mayor, Zoo City Sportsplex

Asheboro mayor David Smith speaks during the grand opening of Zoo City Sportsplex. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Cone Health offers support in 25-year sponsorship ASHEBORO – The City of Asheboro has partnered with Cone Health to the tune of a $5 million arrangement associated with the Zoo City Sportsplex. Cone Health is the exclusive health care partner of the project, which was undertaken with city funding along with support from community groups. It’s a 25-year deal with sponsorship at $5 million. The Cone Health logo was unveiled on sportsplex signage during Saturday’s grand opening and ribbon cutting. The logo will be…

06 May

UCA teams seeded high for state playoffs in baseball, softball; Most area teams to start on road

Bob SuttonSportsclass 1-A, Class 2-A, Class 3-A, Prep baseball, Prep softball, state playoffs

Uwharrie Charter Academy softball and baseball teams have high seeds in the West Region for the state playoffs. The seeds, which were announced Monday by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, have both teams in line to play in regional finals in a couple of weeks. But there’s plenty of work to be done by then. The playoffs begin Tuesday, with potential second-round games Thursday or Friday. *** BASEBALL *** In Class 1-A, defending state champion UCA (20-5) is seeded No. 2, with a home game vs. No. 31 Bradford Prep (3-13). Eastern Randolph (9-16), which was a regional…