Bob Sutton

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Brannon drives in runs in first pro game

Brannon drives in runs in first pro game

Brooks Brannon, shown here with Randleman during the Class 2-A state playoffs in May, has had a strong start to his professional career. (File photo) Ex-Randleman star then triples twice in second game Former Randleman catcher Brooks Brannon’s second professional plate appearance resulted in a two-run single Saturday in the Florida Complex League at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla. “It was amazing,” Brannon said of the feeling in a text to Randolph Record. Brannon, who was a ninth-round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox last month, went 1-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout in his debut for…
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New Asheboro AD sees grand potential, calls Blue Comets ‘a sleeping giant’

New Asheboro AD sees grand potential, calls Blue Comets ‘a sleeping giant’

Wes Berrier, the new athletics director for Asheboro High School, checks out the first day of football practice last week. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Wes Berrier’s view of athletics at Asheboro High School is one of great potential. He’d like to see the Blue Comets’ programs return to prominence. “A sleeping giant,” the new athletics director said. “I feel I’m coming in at a great time. I’m expecting big things as far as our athletics.” Berrier officially became the athletics director this summer, though he filled that role for the final couple of months of the 2021-22 school year…
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Early showdowns dot Randolph County prep schedules

Early showdowns dot Randolph County prep schedules

Asheboro boys' soccer players celebrate a goal during a game last year, which turned out to be a good season for the Blue Comets (File photo) High school sports games and matches for the 2022-23 school year begin next week with competitions that count on the records. For most sports in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, the first date for competition comes Monday (Aug. 15). Here are a few notable events on early schedules: •  On Aug. 15, Southwestern Randolph travels to Central Davidson in the first boys’ soccer game with Jimmy Walker back in charge as coach…
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Defending champ Cougars eager to see impact of changes for volleyball season

Defending champ Cougars eager to see impact of changes for volleyball season

Coley Shiflet is bound to be a key player again for Southwestern Randolph’s volleyball team. (File photo) Southwestern Randolph gears up for volleyball season after 2021 state title ASHEBORO — Southwestern Randolph’s volleyball team has a few different components this season. There will be a new offensive make-up and a key transfer with the Cougars. But one thing they don’t want to change is the rate of success. “There’s a lot of excitement in our gym,” coach Darby Kennedy said. “They want to hold onto the title and defend that title.” Southwestern Randolph is the reigning Class 2-A state champion.…
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Troutman transfers out of UCA

Troutman transfers out of UCA

Basketball standout heads to private school for senior season BURLINGTON — One of the most highly recruited boys’ basketball players in Randolph County in the upcoming senior class will no longer will be playing for a school in the county. Ashton Troutman is transferring from Uwharrie Charter Academy to The Burlington School. He said he’s looking for more exposure and a higher level of competition. “Just being in a basketball environment and for a good team,” Troutman said. “I would have never flirted with the idea of leaving if it wasn’t for basketball.” Troutman, a 6-foot-7½, 205-pound post player, was…
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ZooKeepers coach departs after two seasons

ZooKeepers coach departs after two seasons

Jeremy Knight decided to give up his job with the Asheboro ZooKeepers. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Jeremy Knight has stepped away from his roles with the Asheboro ZooKeepers. After guiding the Coastal Plain League baseball team for two seasons, he decided to resign as head coach and co-general manager. “It was becoming too much with two kids,” he said, calling it a family decision. “This year wore me out.” Knight’s record with the college summer team was 37-56, including a league-worst 14-33 mark this season. He’s returning to a teaching position at Southern Alamance High School. “It wasn’t because…
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Rabid foxes create concerns in Archdale

Rabid foxes create concerns in Archdale

ARCHDALE – Randolph County officials put out a notice about three rabid foxes in Archdale late last week as a precaution, county health director Tara Aker said. “We don’t know if there’s any relationship with these three cases,” Aker said. “Do we have a group of foxes and they have the same den?” The foxes have been killed after biting people last month in Archdale, according to information from Randolph County Public Health. The people bitten have been treated. The cases stemmed from incidents on Fernwood Drive, Kreamer Drive and West White Drive. Aker said the bites happened within a…
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First monkeypox case confirmed in Randolph County

First monkeypox case confirmed in Randolph County

ASHEBORO – Randolph County has its first confirmed case of monkeypox. Tara Aker of Randolph County Public Health said after Monday’s announcement that “so far it’s an isolated case.” The unidentified individual is isolating at home, though no other information will be disclosed, with the health department citing patient privacy. “At this time, the risk of monkeypox transmission remains low,” Aker said, noting that the health department’s communicable disease team is monitoring the situation closely. Monkeypox is an infectious viral disease that can occur in humans and some other animals. It typically involves flu-like symptoms, swelling of the lymph nodes…
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Season fizzles on Post 45 in elimination loss

Season fizzles on Post 45 in elimination loss

Randolph County Post 45 team members go through their final postgame handshake line of the season Saturday at McCrary Park. ASHEBORO – This Randolph County Post 45 baseball team seemed built for big things. Too many big innings for opponents became the undoing for the host team in the American Legion’s Southeast Regional. “I definitely think we could have had a better season than this,” left fielder Adam Cole said. The end came with a 15-5 loss to Wilmington Post 10 in an elimination game Saturday at McCrary Park. The game was reduced to five innings by the mercy rule,…
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Problems pile up on Post 45 in first regional loss

Problems pile up on Post 45 in first regional loss

Randolph County Post 45 coaches Ryan Hill, left, Ronnie Pugh and Andrew Conner will need a plan to win three more games in the Southeast Regional. (File photo) Randolph County needs turnaround to extend season ASHEBORO -- It didn’t start well for Randolph County Post 45. Then it got worse Friday night. Yet if there’s a good omen for the host team in Southeast Regional for American Legion baseball, things are bound to get better this weekend. Or else the season will come to a disheartening conclusion. “It’s an eye-opener,” Post 45 catcher Alex Martinez said after the 12-7 loss…
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