Eastern Randolph’s Timothy Brower takes a fourth-quarter free throw vs. South Stanly.
RAMSEUR — Timothy Brower and Julian Brooks have played dozens of basketball games for Eastern Randolph in their home gym.
That’s what happens, in part, when you’re highly seeded for conference tournament and state-playoff games. So Friday night marked a notable occasion for the senior Wildcats.
It might have been their final time suiting up for a home game. If so, Brower and Brooks went out with a bang.
“I was thinking about that during the national anthem,” Brower said of his time playing in that venue.
Brower went on to score 31 points and Brooks racked up 23 points in Eastern Randolph’s 68-59 victory against South Stanly in the second round of the Class 1A state playoffs.
Combined with senior forward Will Stalker, who came off the bench, the seventh-seeded Wildcats had enough power in the West Region game. The trio of players in their final season came through.
“That’s what I expect now,” Eastern Randolph coach Johnny Thomas said.
Brooks and Brower have been part of a special stretch for the Wildcats program. They were integral participants two years ago when Eastern Randolph reached the state championship game.
Because of that, they’re unfazed by the situations.
“After playing in that state championship, my nerves (haven’t) ever been so bad,” Brower said of feeling any pressure. “We played too much basketball for that.”
Brooks said he was intent on making a big impact.
“I had to come out and play strong,” he said. “Had to come out and show. Just had to make the best out of it before it was too late.”
Eastern Randolph has reached at least the 18-win mark in three consecutive seasons after failing to win more than 12 games in any of the previous six seasons.
Even though Thomas said Friday night’s game was more difficult than he had wanted, he hopes the Wildcats (18-8) can maintain their recent upward trend. They’ve won nine of their last 10 games.
“We’re kind of building ourselves up,” Thomas said.
Next is Tuesday night’s game at second-seeded South Stokes (26-2). Tenth-seeded South Stanly (17-9) didn’t have answers for Eastern Randolph’s inside-outside tandem.
Brooks scored 15 first-half points as the Wildcats led 30-21 at the break, aided by a banked-in 3-pointer from Brower.
“The game like this, me and (Brooks) have to dominate,” Brower said.
Brower’s big third quarter included going 6-for-6 on free throws as the margin grew to 18 points.
Sophomore guard Tyler Gee said the Wildcats had the right combinations.
“We kept feeding it to (Brooks) because no one could stop him,” Gee said. “(Brower) is always making shots.”
Brower pumped in 24 points in the second half, including 12 in the first five minutes of the third quarter. He fouled out with 32.9 seconds left.
Class 1A boys
At Kernersville, top-seeded Bishop McGuinness overwhelmed visiting Uwharrie Charter Academy in a 67-41 second-round victory.
No. 16 seed UCA finished with a 19-10 record.
Class 2A girls
Third-seeded Southwestern Randolph tumbled in a 53-47 home loss to No. 19 seed Bandys.
Maddie Strider had 16 points and Gracie Hodgin provided 11 points and eight rebounds for the Cougars.
Southwestern Randolph (26-2) won its first 25 games before losing two of its last three, with both defeats at home.
** No. 15 seed Randleman exited with a 64-43 setback at second-seeded East Burke. The Tigers finished with a 16-11 record.
Class 1A girls
Sixth-seeded Uwharrie Charter Academy pushed its winning streak to five games by topping No. 11 seed Highlands 47-37.
Nevaeh Staples racked up 20 points and Kayla Brown had 10 points for the Eagles (24-7), who visit third-seeded Albemarle (24-4) on Tuesday night.
