Bob Sutton

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Prep Baseball: Patriots pin streak-halting loss on Randleman

Prep Baseball: Patriots pin streak-halting loss on Randleman

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…
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Finalists for next RCC president to visit

Finalists for next RCC president to visit

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,…
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Former Wheatmore coach takes Trinity football job

Former Wheatmore coach takes Trinity football job

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…
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Mazzarone maintains rapid rate of strikeouts for Patriots

Mazzarone maintains rapid rate of strikeouts for Patriots

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…
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Randleman Tigers adopt new script, keep on winning in baseball

Randleman Tigers adopt new script, keep on winning in baseball

Randleman’s Hunter Atkins takes a swing during a game earlier this season at Eastern Randolph. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – The script looks a bit different, but Randleman’s baseball team has kept the winning formula. The two-time reigning Class 2-A state champions are cranking out victories on a regular basis. “We’ve had some tough games that we’ve battled through,” shortstop Hunter Atkins said. “We’ve just been competing. It’s just about competing when it comes down to it. Our team has the grit.” And Randleman owns an 8-2 overall record. The Tigers have made it halfway through their 12-game Piedmont Athletic…
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Prep softball: Patriots go through process in new season

Prep softball: Patriots go through process in new season

Providence Grove’s Leela Von Der Hay tags out Southwestern Randolph’s Madison Varner. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) CLIMAX – Some growing pains are going to be part of the process for Providence Grove’s softball team this season. That’s fine with coach Tim Brown as long as the Patriots show progress. Providence Grove was undefeated in the regular season last year, but five starters are gone from that team. “Comparing everything to last year would be difficult for everybody,” senior pitcher Emma Mazzarone said. “It was a special team. This year could be special, too. You can’t compare to last year because it…
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Archdale lands packaging company

Archdale lands packaging company

ARCHDALE — Archdale has another manufacturing operation coming that should boost jobs in the area. Axium Packaging, a manufacturer of packaging and containers, will create 118 jobs in Randolph County across a three-year period, according to last week’s announcement from Gov. Roy Cooper’s office. The company will invest $32 million to build a manufacturing facility in Archdale. “We’re really happy to see it,” Archdale mayor Lewis Dorsett said. “We’ve been working on getting that site ready for more than a year.” Headquartered in New Albany, Ohio, Axium is a manufacturer of packaging for personal care, household chemical, over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, and…
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College baseball: Thomas notches wins at UNCG; Gardner receives USA South honors

College baseball: Thomas notches wins at UNCG; Gardner receives USA South honors

Luke Thomas at UNCG Several alums from Randolph County schools have produced notable opening stretches in their collegiate baseball careers. Providence Grove alum Luke Thomas was the winning pitcher in his collegiate debut, throwing 1 2/3 shutout innings when UNC Greensboro defeated Northeastern on Feb. 18 in the second game of the season. The Spartans scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. The next day, Thomas took the loss when giving up four late-inning runs to Northeastern. In the season’s second week, Thomas had two outings against Notre Dame, throwing one hitless inning in the second game…
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Wildcats to play at noon Saturday in Raleigh in basketball title game

Wildcats to play at noon Saturday in Raleigh in basketball title game

Eastern Randolph hopes to add state-championship hardware to the West Region prize claimed Saturday. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RAMSEUR – Eastern Randolph’s bid for its first state championship in boys’ basketball comes in the Class 1-A final at noon Saturday at Reynolds Coliseum on the North Carolina State campus in Raleigh. The Wildcats (29-2) meet East Region champion Wilson Prep (26-7) in the title game. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association announced game times and sites for the eight championship games – four for boys and four for girls – on Sunday afternoon. Eastern Randolph is coming off two comeback…
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Regional path sends Eastern Randolph boys on trek

Regional path sends Eastern Randolph boys on trek

Eastern Randolph’s Nicah Taylor soars in the lane for a shot against South Stokes. (PJ. Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RAMSEUR – Eastern Randolph will head to Morganton as part of the best season in history of the school’s boys’ basketball team. That’s where the Wildcats will take on Bishop McGuinness in the Class 1-A West Region final at 1 p.m. Saturday. The game will be at Freedom High School. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association announced the venues for the neutral-site regional finals Wednesday morning, a day after Tuesday night’s semifinals set the matchups across the state. Third-seeded Eastern Randolph (28-2)…
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