Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

29 Aug

UCA’s Hunter hones skills after MVP honor

Bob SuttonSportsAmateur baseball, Jake Hunter, Prep baseball, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Jake Hunter was the Most Valuable Player in the Class 1A state finals a few months ago. (NCHSAA photo) ASHEBORO – When Jake Hunter was named the Most Valuable Player of the state championship baseball series in the spring, it turns out he was just getting warmed up. The Uwharrie Charter Academy pitcher had a summer filled with travel baseball and has been assessing some of the college recruiting interest that has been directed his way. “I kind of set my focus on travel ball and doing what I need to do to play college baseball,” Hunter said. Yet he…

25 Aug

Southwestern Randolph selects second Hall of Fame class

Bob SuttonSportsHall of Fame, Southwestern Randolph, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

ASHEBORO – There will be six inductees for the second class of the Southwestern Randolph Sports Hall of Fame. The group of Kaila Craven-Brandenburg, Lauren LaPlant, Randy Miller, Michael Wade Osborne, Donald Strider and Melissia Rogers Sutton comprise the induction class. The ceremony is set for Aug. 30. That night the inductees will be honored at halftime of the school’s football game against North Moore. This is the second class for the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. There were 14 inductees in the inaugural class last September. Here’s at look at this year’s inductees: ** Craven-Brandenburg had a distinguished girls’…

22 Aug

Ready to kick off: Teams in Randolph County hope for more early success this year

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, prep football, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Wheatmore Warriors

Coach Seth Baxter of Southwestern Randolph will have his team at home this week to begin the football season. (Neal Robbins / Randolph Record) Another season of high school football begins Friday night with Randolph County teams set for a variety of non-conference games. In each case, these are rematches from last year’s openers. In those games, Randolph County teams went a combined 5-2. Looking for more early success won’t come easy, though only three of the teams have road assignments. All games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Here’s an overview of the matchups: Randleman at Thomasville This could be…

21 Aug

Changes come for Providence Grove basketball

Bob SuttonSportsPrep baseball, Prep Basketball, Providence Grove athletics, Shane Worth

Baseball coach Shane Worth is adding basketball coaching to his duties at Providence Grove. (Randolph Record) CLIMAX – There’s changes in the works for Providence Grove’s basketball programs. Shane Worth has been summoned to fill a vacancy as coach of the boys’ basketball team. He recently concluded his first season as baseball coach at the school. Johnathan Gainey has left the Patriots after one season as girls’ basketball coach. He has been hired to coach girls’ basketball at West Forsyth. Both Providence Grove teams will have their third coach in as many seasons. Brett Andrews spent one season…

16 Aug

Trinity picks next class for Hall of Fame

Bob SuttonSportsprep sports, Trinity athletics, Trinity Athletics Hall of Fame

TRINITY – Members of the second Trinity Athletics Hall of Fame class stretch across numerous decades. The selections include athletes, coaches, administrators and special contributors. The range of those chosen as new inductees extends from Gilbert English in the Class of 1927 to Cameron King in the Class of 2012. The other selections are: Kyle Spencer (athlete and coach, Class of 1997), Gail White Williams (athlete, Class of 1988), Jason Brown (athlete, Class of 1999), Brett Andrews (athlete, Class of 2003), John Spell (athlete, Class of 1973), Andy Aikens (athlete, Class of 1976), Scout Albertson (athlete, Class of 2010), Karen…

13 Aug

Former Randleman standout Trey Way ready to give Radford a try

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Burlington Athletic Stadium, Burlington Sock Puppets, Radford, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, Randolph County Post 45, Trey Way, Virginia Tech

Former Randleman baseball player Trey Way goes through pregame testing prior to an outing with the Burlington Sock Puppets this summer. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) BURLINGTON – Trey Way hasn’t played much baseball the past couple of years. He wants that to change. Way, who was a key part of two Randleman state championships, has a new role and a new team. “It has been an up and down journey, for sure,” Way said. “You have to see the good in everything.” The quest for more baseball satisfaction hasn’t waned. He’ll attempt to gain that at Radford. An infielder…

11 Aug

Prep Notes: New quests await top teams such as Southwestern Randolph volleyball, Asheboro soccer

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, prep soccer, Prep volleyball, Providence Grove athletics, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs

Southwestern Randolph’s powerhouse volleyball team will try to keep it going for another season. The Cougars, who’ve had 25 or more victories the past three seasons, begin their schedule Aug. 14 at home against Oak Grove, which had a 22-5 record last year. Southwestern Randolph, under coach Darby Kennedy, went 25-5 in 2023. The Cougars are a combined 79-14 in a three-year span. That stretch began with the 2021 state championship in Class 2A. Fall sports teams, with the exception of football, can begin regular-season competition Aug. 12. Early soccer tests In boys’ soccer, Asheboro has racked up some of…

10 Aug

Prep football: Sudden change puts Heilig in charge at Providence Grove

Bob SuttonSportsDavid Hayes, Mark Heilig, prep football, Providence Grove athletics, Providence Grove Patriots

CLIMAX – Anything awkward about an August coaching change for Providence Grove’s football team isn’t a primary concern for interim coach Mark Heilig. There’s a fast-approaching season to prepare for. “My head has been spinning a little bit,” Heilig said. “(The amount) of time has been the big thing. There are so many things to do.” Heilig, a longtime assistant coach, has taken the position vacated by David Hayes, whose resignation Aug. 2 resulted in a trickle down of changes. That evening, Heilig was overseeing an open practice as part of the community night event on campus. Now it’s a…

07 Aug

New shops brewing in Liberty

Bob SuttonBusiness, Features, Newscoffee shop, Hops and Vine, Liberty, Liberty Grounds, Oak's Beans

Beverages and much more are available at Liberty Grounds. (Courtesy photo) LIBERTY – Two new business ventures are opening in Liberty with coffee themes and months of work in renovating buildings in an area of Randolph County that’s expected to grow rapidly. Liberty Grounds has opened, featuring a coffee shop and market. Soon, Oak’s Beans, Hops and Vine will be up and running, specializing in gourmet coffee, North Carolina wines and rotation options of craft beer. These are family operations and clearly new endeavors for the business owners. “This is a totally new adventure for all of us,” said Ginger…

06 Aug

Pitching depth could be focus for Post 45 in regional

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Asheboro, Drew Harmon, McCrary Park, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh, Southeast Regional

Drew Harmon throws a pitch for Randolph County Post 45 earlier this season in American Legion baseball. (Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Randolph County Post 45 needs pitching depth to challenge for the American Legion’s Southeast Regional title. Despite a regular season that didn’t pan out well, Post 45 enters this week with a chance to make things right as the host team at McCrary Park. In order to advance as far as Sunday’s title game, Randolph County will rely on pitching. That’s where Drew Harmon and others can make a difference. Harmon emerged as among the key pitchers this year.…