Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

28 Apr

Randleman keeps it close to home with new girls’ coach

Bob SuttonSportspiedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, Randleman athletics, Steven Rightmyer

Steven Rightmyer was named coach of the Randleman girls’ basketball team. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – The next step in Steven Rightmyer’s coaching ventures takes him to something different, but he’s also familiar with much of what’s involved in Randleman’s girls’ basketball program. He was named the next coach of the Tigers, who’ve been a power the past few years. “I always wanted to be a varsity coach,” Rightmyer said. “It’s a chance to step outside and try a new challenge.” That’s because Rightmyer has mostly been involved in coaching boys’ sports. He moves from his role as boys’ basketball…

27 Apr

Randleman golf farm set stage for Hall of Fame

Bob SuttonSportsAmateur golf, Ellen Griffin, NCSHOF, Pro golf, Randleman

Here’s Ellen Griffin with stock-car driving legend Richard Petty, who was at the Randleman farm to pick up a child after a golf lesson. (Courtesy photo) Former instructor created foundation for teaching, playing careers RANDLEMAN – From what was farmland in Randleman to much bigger stages, Ellen Griffin helped grow the game of golf. While that was decades ago, her legacy lives on. “It’s unbelievable people still remember her,” said Charlie Griffin, her nephew. Last week, Griffin was inducted posthumously into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame at Raleigh Convention Center. She was a golf instructor and helped form…

25 Apr

Parks keeps producing for Cougars in baseball

Bob SuttonSportsEthan Marsh, piedmont athletic conference, Southwestern Randolph baseball, Tyler Parks

Tyler Parks of Southwestern Randolph makes a throw in the field earlier this season. (Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Tyler Parks is trying to make the most of his final games in high school baseball. The Southwestern Randolph senior has quite a bit ahead of him, but there are immediate matters that are important for now. “I just try to live in the moment and enjoy high school and not really think ahead,” Parks said. “I’m trying to just have as much fun as I can right now. Hopefully, we can get to win some games and that will be a…

22 Apr

Snotherly’s stellar career comes with skills, desire

Bob SuttonSportsBrecken Snotherly, Eastern Randolph, Eastern Randolph athletics, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, prep track and field

Brecken Snotherly had a wide array of ways to score with Eastern Randolph’s girls’ basketball team. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Eastern Randolph senior relishes sports journey RAMSEUR – Brecken Snotherly’s path has taken a few turns during high school, but generally the Eastern Randolph standout athlete has reached her destinations. She put the basketball in the hoop at an alarmingly successful rate and she knows her way around running courses as well. Basketball became her passion and she’ll continue in that sport for East Tennessee State. “Basketball is my main thing,” she said. “I’ve been playing basketball since kindergarten. I just…

20 Apr

Asheboro runs away in Randolph County track and field championships

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, Asheboro Blue Comets, Brecken Snotherly, Jalaya Showers, Lance Everhart, prep track and field, randolph county, Zach Hazelwood

Numerous schools have stellar results for individuals ASHEBORO – Asheboro’s boys’ and girls’ track and field teams were superior in the Randolph County Championships on Tuesday. But the Blue Comets had plenty of company from entrants from other schools when it came to special individual performances. On the girls’ side, Brecken Snotherly of Eastern Randolph won four events on the track and Randleman’s Gracie Beane was strong in field events. Asheboro’s Jalaya Showers, Wheatmore’s Ariel Martin and Trinity’s Kensley Fox also won multiple individual events. In boys’ races, Southwestern Randolph’s Adam Cole was the top sprinter, Asheboro’s Nicolas Chavez claimed…

18 Apr

Varner leaves post as Randleman girls’ coach

Bob SuttonSportsBrandon Varner, nchsaa, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, Randleman athletics

Coach Brandon Varner had Randleman’s girls’ basketball team on a winning path. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – Brandon Varner’s wildly successful five-season stretch as Randleman’s girls’ basketball coach has come to an end. “Just time to step away,” Varner said. “The biggest thing was the time I was putting into basketball. There’s really no breaks.” Under Varner, the Tigers went 103-20, with half those defeats coming in his first season when the team went 15-10. Varner, 40, will remain as athletics director at Randleman Middle School, where he also is on the football staff. “It was just getting to be…

17 Apr

Prep Baseball: Patriots pin streak-halting loss on Randleman

Bob SuttonSportsAndrew Canter, Hunter Atkins, Lemuel Coltrane, piedmont athletic conference, Prep baseball, Providence Grove athletics, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, Seth Way

Logan Fox of Providence Grove had a role in tight baseball games with Randleman last week. (Randolph Record file photo) Providence Grove did what might have seemed like the unthinkable in Piedmont Athletic Conference baseball last week. The Patriots knocked off state power Randleman and ended a multi-year streak of domination. “Probably was unexpected,” Providence Grove coach Glen Hunt said. “Not a lot of people thought we could go in and win that game.” Providence Grove’s 3-2 victory halted Randleman’s 38-game winning streak against conference opponents that spread across parts of five seasons. And two days later, the Patriots nearly…

14 Apr

Finalists for next RCC president to visit

Bob SuttonNewspresident, Randolph Community College, RCC

ASHEBORO — Four finalists to fill the vacancy as Randolph Community College’s next president are expected to visit the campus next week. Based on the list of candidates released from the college, the next president will come from an out-of-state job, though one of them has ties to the Triad. Here’s the list: ** John Grosskopf, president of North Florida College (in Madison, Fla.). ** Dr. Jeremy Thomas, provost of Oklahoma City College. ** Dr. Shah Ardalan, president of Lone Star College-University Park (in Houston). ** Dr. George McNulty, president of Gogebic Community College (in Ironwood, Mich). In March,…

13 Apr

Former Wheatmore coach takes Trinity football job

Bob SuttonSportsBear Bradley, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Trinity athletics

TRINITY – Bear Bradley is taking a job as a football head coach at a school in Randolph County. Even though it’s a different stop than in a previous role, he said it feels like a return to a comfort zone. Bradley has become the football coach at Trinity, leaving a similar position at Southern Guilford. “The more I got thinking about it, I think it was one of those things, I already had some of those relationships,” Bradley said. “To be back in Randolph County, and people you’ve known. There’s a family atmosphere and you’re welcomed.” Bradley spent four…

06 Apr

Mazzarone maintains rapid rate of strikeouts for Patriots

Bob SuttonSportsEmma Mazzarone, piedmont athletic conference, Prep softball, Providence Grove athletics, Virginia Tech

Emma Mazzarone of Providence Grove fires a pitch earlier this season. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Providence Grove senior pitcher holds dominating form CLIMAX – Emma Mazzarone doesn’t mind the workload that comes with being Providence Grove’s ace softball pitcher. She keeps on striking out batters at a staggering rate. “Before every game, I’ll try not to put a number in my head,” Mazzarone said of strikeout totals. “I try to pitch to certain batters to strike them out. And if they get a hit, more power to them. I’m really just focused on what I’m going to pitch to each and…