Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

14 Dec

Hunt to coach Asheboro baseball team on interim basis

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Brad Rudisill, Glen Hunt, McCrary Park, Prep baseball

Glen Hunt (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – Glen Hunt will fill the role as interim coach of Asheboro’s baseball team for the 2025 season. The school announced that Brad Rudisill, who was hired in June, is taking a leave of absence from coaching due to family matters. “We deeply respect and support his decision and look forward to reconvening with him around the middle of April to discuss the future of his head coaching career here at Asheboro High School,” athletics director Wes Berrier said. Hunt, 55, is a veteran coach in the area and served last season as an Asheboro…

13 Dec

Blue Comets show different traits early in boys’ basketball season

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Brian Nance, Elijah Woodle, Prep Basketball

MT. HERMON – It looks different and might feel different for the Asheboro boys’ basketball team. But the Blue Comets have been winning nonetheless in what might be a season in transition. Following a 23-win season, coach Brian Nance said he knew there would be different challenges. “They’re still cutting their teeth a little bit,” Nance said of his team. Some of the high-scoring outcomes might not be as frequent for the Blue Comets, who entered this week with a 5-1 record. They’ve already discovered there are different ways to succeed. “It’s a lot different,” senior forward Osiris Rodriguez said.…

12 Dec

Health department renovations reach completion; Open house is next week

Bob SuttonNewsrandolph county, Randolph County Public Health

Improving the appearance was part of the emphasis regarding renovations for the Randolph County Health Department. (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – The largest facility renovations for the Randolph County Public Health Department since 1981 have taken place. The 18-month project has reached completion. There will be an open house next week at the Ira McDowell Center. The renovations include redesigned consultation rooms, updated lobby, improved offices, and a new dental suite managed by Kintegra Family Dentistry. The initiative reflects the department's commitment to fostering a nurturing environment for clients and staff alike all while ensuring patient confidentiality, according to a release…

09 Dec

Liberty cabinet plant to close in 2025, with 200 jobs lost

Bob SuttonNewslayoffs, Liberty, plant closings

LIBERTY – The UltraCraft Cabinetry plant, a division of Norcraft Companies, in Liberty is closing in 2025, with layoffs scheduled to begin in May. There are 200 people employed at the facility at 6163 Old 421 Road. “It’s definitely a sad thing,” said Amanda Price, executive director of the Liberty Chamber of Commerce. “They’ve been around awhile and a good Chamber member.” Layoffs are to commence in the spring and be completed by September, based on a notice to the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The site has operated under UltraCraft Cabinetry, a subsidiary of Norcraft Companies. Cabinets have been…

08 Dec

Waiting for conference configurations factors into NCHSAA meetings

Bob SuttonSportsnchsaa, Stephen Gainey

ASHEBORO — Putting together conferences for the new North Carolina High School Athletic Association classifications is a priority and that became a factor regarding several topics during last week’s bi-annual meetings. Stephen Gainey, the superintendent of the Randolph County School System, is serving as NCHSAA president. He said the overwhelming issue that schools want resolved is the release of the next conference alignments in the newly configured eight-class set-up. “I want that information as soon as possible,” Gainey said. Gainey said the board dealt with “a lot of operational issues” during its gathering in Chapel Hill. He said it was…

07 Dec

UCA boys enter another new era with Mabe as coach

Bob SuttonSportsBraeden Lamb, Grat Dalton, Jaxon Mabe, Prep Basketball, Roger Mabe, UCA Eagles, Uwharrie Charter Academy

UCA boys’ basketball coach Roger Mabe addresses his team during a recent game. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) GRAHAM – Roger Mabe spent time in several roles as a coach of school basketball teams, but he sought a head coaching position with a varsity team. He said Uwharrie Charter Academy has been the right fit. “I wanted to get the highest level possible in high school basketball,” Mabe said. Now he’s directing the UCA boys’ team and his son, Jaxon Mabe, is one of the top players. The Eagles are off to a stellar start to the season. Roger Mabe…

03 Dec

Trinity council race confirmed after recount

Bob SuttonGovernment, News, Politics2024 elections, Barry Allison, Trinity, Trinity City Council

Barry Allison (Courtesy photo) TRINITY – Barry Allison prevailed in recount for the Ward 3 seat on the Trinity City Council, widening the margin slightly from the first reported numbers after the Nov. 5 election. “I’m looking forward to it,” Allison said Monday. “I want to get in there and do my part. We’re going to have to hit the ground running.” Trinity has a mayor and five council members. With Allison elected, there will be three new council members. The new council members are scheduled to be sworn in next week. “I guess you consider that a lot of…

02 Dec

Providence Grove boys claim memorable first victory of the season

Bob SuttonSportsAndrew Thomas, Dylan Eppley, Prep Basketball, Providence Grove Patriots, Shane Worth, Steven Cheek, Will Dabbs

Will Dabbs (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) MT. HERMON – Providence Grove recorded its first victory under new boys’ basketball coach Shane Worth last week and it came in dramatic fashion. Andrew Thomas scored on a putback with 14 seconds remaining to defeat host Southern Alamance 57-55. Will Dabbs took the shot on the transition sequence. “If he’s going to miss, I’m going to put it back up,” Thomas said of his thoughts. Worth, also the baseball coach, said the basketball players have been through quite a bit. “In fairness to these guys, they’ve had three coaches in three years,”…

30 Nov

Eastern Randolph Wildcats lose grip in playoff loss

Bob SuttonSportsclass 1-A, Eastern Randolph football, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, nchsaa, prep football, state playoffs

Eastern Randolph’s season comes to a close in the third round of the postseason RAMSEUR – Eastern Randolph’s first loss marked the end of its football season, falling 27-14 to Corvian Community in the third round of the Class 1A state playoffs Friday night. An array of turnovers proved critical for the Wildcats (12-1), who were seeded fourth in the West Region. “We worked so hard, and that’s what makes it emotional,” Eastern Randolph running back Lucas Smith said. “This is the worst feeling you can have.” The Wildcats were in just their second tussle across the past two months…

29 Nov

Schools in Randolph County see shifts for NCHSAA realignment

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, nchsaa, Providence Grove Patriots, realignment, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

Asheboro might have new league partners, while UCA bumps up Schools in Randolph County will continue to be spread across three classifications in an upcoming realignment, but there’s a different makeup regarding the schools within the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Asheboro, in particular, could have some new company in terms of fellow conference members. The NCHSAA is expanding from four to eight classifications beginning with the next school year. The breakdown of classifications was unveiled recently as enrollment figures were released. Asheboro has been tagged for Class 6A, while Uwharrie Charter Academy, Randleman and Southwestern Randolph are on…