Blog - Randolph Record

07 Mar

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

Bob SuttonSportsBrody Gardner, College baseball, Eastern Randolph, Luke Thomas, Providence Grove, Randleman, Randleman baseball, Ryan White

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…

06 Mar

Prep Roundup: Wheatmore girls start in good soccer groove; Mixed results in baseball, softball

Randolph RecordSportsBrent Haynes, Eli Gravely, Ellie Garrison, Emma Mazzarone, Hunter Atkins, Macie Crutchfield, prep athletics, Prep baseball, prep soccer, Prep softball, Rob Shore, Stratton Barwick, Summer Bowman

Providence Grove’s Rori Luther makes a move with West Davidson’s Marly Gouker approaching during last week’s game. West Davidson won 1-0. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Wheatmore opened the season with a 6-0 victory with Ellie Garrison scoring four goals against visiting Ledford last week in girls’ soccer. Natalie Bowman and Summer Bowman had the other goals. It was a nice start for the Warriors, who were undefeated Class 2-A state champions with a 25-0 record last year. Here are some other items of note from the opening week of the spring season: Baseball ** Randleman suffered an 11-0, six-inning loss March…

05 Mar

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

Bob SuttonSportsclass 1-A, Eastern Randolph athletics, Johnny Thomas, nchsaa, Prep Basketball, Wilson Prep

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…

04 Mar

Huge comeback propels Eastern Randolph boys to state final

Randolph RecordSportsclass 1-A, Davonte Brooks, Eastern Randolph, Johnny Thomas, nchsaa, Pierce Leonard, Prep Basketball

Eastern Randolph team members and coach Johnny Thomas – with arms raised – celebrate the Class 1-A West Region title. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) MORGANTON – Eastern Randolph rallied from a 21-point halftime deficit to keep its season alive and advance to a state championship in boys’ basketball for the first time. The Wildcats pulled out a 62-59 victory against Bishop McGuinness in the Class 1-A West Region final Saturday afternoon at Freedom High School. “As the coach, even I’m at awe at what they just did,” first-year Eastern Randolph coach Johnny Thomas said of his players. Eastern Randolph (29-2) will…

02 Mar

Regional path sends Eastern Randolph boys on trek

Bob SuttonSportsBishop McGuinness, class 1-A, Eastern Randolph athletics, nchsaa, Prep Basketball, state playoffs

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)…

01 Mar

NC House Speaker ‘grateful’ to officers following traffic incident

A.P. DillonBusinessdrunk driving, DUI, law enforcement, NC House Speaker, Officer Jason Perdue, Tim Moore

RALEIGH — North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) is grateful to the law enforcement officers who were on hand when the vehicle he was traveling in was rammed by an apparent drunk driver. Moore said he, Rep. David Willis of Union County and Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Gurley were returning to Raleigh after a series of events in Wilson. The speaker’s security officer was driving the SUV westbound on U.S. Highway 64 near Knightdale around 9:30 p.m. when it was rammed from behind at least three times, Moore told reporters at the Legislative Building. Moore praised his…

01 Mar

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Why students should explore global education opportunities

Jason YangOpinionscollege, global education, international travel, letter to the editor, opinion, students, study abroad, university

My study abroad journey in Hong Kong as a Phillips Ambassador is an experience I will cherish forever. When I arrived in Hong Kong, I was struck by the incredible skyscrapers, the mix of East and West influences in the city, and the beautiful natural landscapes. Everyone I met, from students and professors at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to street food vendors, was friendly and welcoming. The demographics of the locals were similar to those of the “melting pot” that you would see in Chinatowns in the United States, and around every corner were restaurants, shopping centers,…

01 Mar

HUDSON: There’s no place like home

U.S. Rep. Richard HudsonOpinions911 operators, Congress, editorial, north carolina, opinion, randolph county, Richard Hudson, US Rep

It’s been a busy start to the year under a new Republican majority in the U.S. House. Yet last week, it sure was good to be home. It’s so important to travel across this district and hear from you about issues facing our community and nation. One thing is for sure—Washington needs more common sense and less government bureaucracy. Each week, I try to bring some of that North Carolina wisdom back to our nation’s capital. In order to best address the challenges you and our communities are facing, I stayed busy over the work period and held roundtable discussions…

01 Mar

Randolph Electric Membership Corp. helps purchase new fire engines

Randolph RecordNewsfire engines, funding, Moore County, randolph county, Randolph Electric Membership Corp, REMC, USDA

Last week, Randolph Electric Membership Corporation (REMC) officials presented state and local fire representatives with checks to assist with purchasing new fire engines. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded the REMC grants for each fire truck – $225,000 to Robbins Fire Rescue in Moore County and $360,000 to the Ulah Volunteer Fire Department in Randolph County – through the Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant program. “We are thankful to receive this funding from Randolph EMC,” said Charlotte King, fire chief of Ulah VFD. “This new fire engine will benefit the residents and businesses of southern Randolph County,…

01 Mar

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Payton Purdue

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Eastern Randolph, girls' basketball, high school basketball, Payton Purdue, Prep Basketball, prep sports, student athlete

Eastern Randolph, girls’ basketball Eastern Randolph had a breakthrough season in girls’ basketball, and Purdue, a senior, played a significant role. The team secured its first winning season in six years. Purdue was one of three seniors on the Eastern Randolph roster. She was the starting center. The Wildcats reached the third round of the Class 1-A state playoffs. They finished with a 19-8 record.