Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

02 Jun

Wheatmore girls hit big stage with spot in state final

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, nchsaa, prep soccer, Wheatmore

Wheatmore’s Kara Comer, left, and Summer Bowman hug Ellie Garrison after her penalty-kick goal against Wilkes Central in the Class 2-A West Region final Tuesday night at Wilkes Central in Wilkesboro. Wheatmore (PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL) It’s hard to imagine there’s more to accomplish for the Wheatmore girls’ soccer team. Yet the biggest prize is still out there for the Warriors. They hold a 24-0 record and the state record for goals (191) in a season. There’s one more chance to add to those accomplishments. They take on Clinton (25-2) in Friday night’s Class 2-A state championship game at WakeMed…

01 Jun

Strawberry season brings joy, strong harvest in Randolph County

Bob SuttonFeaturesagriculture, family fun, farm, north carolina agriculture, strawberry season

Strawberry season is a time for reunions for Sarah Beal of Kildee Farm in Ramseur. “I get to see a lot of people I haven’t seen since last year,” Beal said. Beal is the mother of Kildee Farm owner Michael Beal, but she pretty much runs the operation on site. “We’ve had a good six weeks and that’s normal,” Sarah Beal said. “It has been OK. We haven’t lost a lot because of the rain.” Kildee Farm, which has about 2 ½ acres of strawberries, had its last day for sales Monday. For the final days, strawberries were only available…

01 Jun

A week later, ZooKeepers will try again

Bob SuttonSports

ASHEBORO — Looks like it will be a one-week delay for the home opener for the Asheboro ZooKeepers. Renovation snags at McCrary Park have pushed back the college summer league team’s home opener. “We had to move a bunch of home games,” head coach Jeremy Knight said earlier this week. “We told (players) coming in that the park was under renovation and we’re not exactly sure when it’s going to be done.” The team’s first two scheduled Coastal Plain League home games were nixed. Saturday’s would-be CPL home opener against the Wilson Tobs was rescheduled for June 22. Tickets for…

27 May

Randleman takes path back to state finals

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, nchsaa, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, state playoffs

Randleman team members gather for a photo after winning the Class 2-A West Region series Friday in Salisbury. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) MOORESVILLE and SALISBURY – This one just took a little longer, but it had familiar themes for Randleman’s baseball team. The latest result is what mattered to the Tigers, who’ll return to the Class 2-A state finals in an attempt to repeat as champions. Even with a bit of unusual circumstances, the Tigers were unfazed. “Our guys did great,” coach Jake smith said. “They work so hard. It’s hard to explain. Unless you see it every day and…

27 May

Randleman’s postseason run hits pause

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, nchsaa, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, state playoffs

Randleman pitcher Drake Purvis delivers a pitch in the West Region finals Thursday night against Community School of Davidson in Mooresville. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) MOORESVILLE – Randleman’s baseball team finally encountered something in this Class 2-A state playoffs that it couldn’t conquer. “Can’t do anything about Mother Nature,” coach Jake Smith said while walking out of Moor Park on Thursday night. Yet the Tigers still did good work before Game 2 of the best-of-3 West Region final was suspended after four innings. They lead Community School of Davidson 5-0. Randleman carried a 30-1 record into the game, needing one…

26 May

ZooKeepers could be solid on mound

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, McCrary Park, summer college baseball

ASHEBORO – There will be a few returning players on Asheboro’s Coastal Plain League team, but by and large the 2022 roster will look different in many ways. An upgrade in experience is something that could benefit the ZooKeepers the most. “We try our best to get the best players you come across,” said head coach Jeremy Knight, who’s also the co-general manager and in his second year with the team. Asheboro posted a 23-21 record last year, when it was nicknamed Copperheads before an offseason rebranding. The ZooKeepers are slated for road games at Forest City and Holly Springs…

26 May

Randleman’s Brannon bashes two homers, ties state record held by dad

Bob SuttonNews, Sports

Randleman’s Brooks Brannon connects on his 20th home run of the season, tying the state record as the Tigers opened the Class 2-A West Region finals with a blowout victory. PJ WARD-BROWN/RANDOLPH RECORD RANDLEMAN – Brooks Brannon didn’t have to be reminded that he was approaching the state record for home runs in a season. The Randleman slugger has been fully aware of the number to reach. It’s a mark set by his father, Paul Brannon, 33 years ago. Now the elder Brannon has company on that list. “I have been thinking about it,” Brooks Brannon said. “I think about…

23 May

ZooKeepers hope to open renovated McCrary Park on Saturday

Bob SuttonNews, SportsCopperheads, ZooKeppers

Turf is being installed on the infield during Phase 1 of the McCrary Park renovations last week in Asheboro. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL ASHEBORO — It’s a race to the finish line for the Asheboro ZooKeepers baseball team. Renovations at McCrary Park have been ongoing, with installation of a field turf beginning last week. The Coastal Plain League season begins this week for the team that plays on the summer college circuit. This project will come in phases and this first version has been ongoing for months. There’s a home opener on the docket for Saturday night against the Wilson…

21 May

Finding the Way: Randleman takes normal path to another rout

Bob SuttonSportsBrooks Brannon, Class 2-A, Drake Purvis, Prep baseball, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, state playoffs, Trey Way

Trey Way and his teammates react to his game-sealing home run Friday night against East Surry. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) Tigers ruin showdown, head to regional final RANDLEMAN – The fourth round of the Class 2-A state playoffs shaped up as an epic showdown between two one-loss baseball teams. As the national anthem played, the line at the entrance gate had dozens of fans waiting to get in – and stayed that way for quite a while. The scene at Joe Brookshire Field had all the makings of a classic. Then Randleman did its thing – again. The Tigers…

18 May

Prep Roundup: Soccer teams start state playoffs strong at home

Bob SuttonSportsbaseball, Golf, prep sports, soccer, softball

Asheboro and Uwharrie Charter Academy won opening-round games in the state playoffs for girls’ soccer Monday night. Asheboro defeated visiting Foard 2-1 behind two goals from Tess Moody in Class 3-A. Natalie Flores had an assist and goalkeeper Sarah Allred made nine saves. UCA topped Piedmont Community 7-0 in Class 1-A, with Ava Cugino posting two goals and one assist, Kendall Jarrell scoring twice and Chloe Douglas, Kaylen Trucks and Ivy Redding all providing one goal. Second-round games are set for Thursday. A pair of Class 2-A teams from Randolph County failed to advance, while undefeated Wheatmore was slated to…