Blog - Randolph Record

08 Feb

Tillman built big influence on state level

Bob SuttonNews, ObitJerry Tillman, NCGA, north carolina general assembly, obituary, state senator

ARCHDALE — Jerry Tillman’s influence on state politics had a long-lasting impact that’s bound to extend well past his death. “He had a huge impact on our area,” state Sen. Dave Craven said. “He was a champion for our community.” Tillman, a longtime state senator from Randolph County, died Saturday at age 82. Tillman, a retired teacher, administrator, and coach in public schools, was first elected to the state Senate in 2002. He resigned from the chamber in 2020. He served a total of nine terms and became one of two majority whips in the Senate. Craven, while in high…

07 Feb

Trinity needs football coach after Morris steps away

Bob SuttonSportsMarlon Morris, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Trinity athletics

Marlon Morris spent three seasons as Trinity’s head coach. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph record) TRINITY – Trinity is amid a coaching change for its football program. Marlon Morris stepped down from his role as head coach after three seasons. “It was kind of a surprise,” Trinity athletics director Robert Mitchell said. “He decided it was best not to stay as coach.” Trinity was 9-16 in three seasons under Morris. The Bulldogs had back-to-back 4-6 seasons after a 1-4 mark in the pandemic-reconfigured 2021 spring season. “We’re going to give it a few weeks and see how the next month goes,” Mitchell said…

06 Feb

Prep Basketball: PAC boys’ race extends to final games

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Ashton Troutman, Brecken Snotherly, Davonte Brooks, Dominic Payne, Dylan Hodges, Eastern Randolph athletics, Gracyn Hall, Hakeeme Butler, Mid-Piedmont Conference, piedmont athletic conference, Pierce Leonard, Prep Basketball, Randleman athletics, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Tyshaun Goldston

Southwestern Randolph’s Nathan Ellis goes up for a shot as Eastern Randolph players, left to right, Timothy Brower, Nicah Taylor, Davonte Brooks and Pierce Leonard look on. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – The big upset from last week came with Southwestern Randolph ending the Eastern Randolph boys’ basketball team’s winning streak at 19 games. The Cougars won 75-66 at home, so that likely will keep the suspense in the Piedmont Athletic Conference going until the final night of the regular season. Nathan Ellis led the way with 21 points, while teammates Thomas Leal (14 points), Sean Adkins (12), Kearns…

05 Feb

Hayes ready for challenge at Providence Grove

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Calvin Brown, David Hayes, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Providence Grove athletics, Providence Grove football, Trinity High School

School’s new football coach is Trinity alum CLIMAX – David Hayes has been around high school football teams for more than a decade as an assistant coach. Now it’s something different. He’ll be a head coach. Providence Grove hired Hayes, who has close ties to a couple of other schools in Randolph County, as its next football coach. “I feel like I was ready to take an opportunity like this,” Hayes said. Hayes takes the vacancy left when Calvin Brown departed to become Asheboro’s coach. Most recently, Hayes has been an assistant coach and physical education teacher at Thomasville, which…

04 Feb

UCA wrestlers pin down state duals title

Bob SuttonSportsAldo Hernandez, Chris Waddell, class 1-A, Grayson Roberts, Jaden Maness, nchsaa, prep wrestling, Uwharrie Charter Academy

Here’s the Uwharrie Charter Academy wrestling team after winning the Class 1-A dual team state championship by defeating Avery County on Saturday in Greensboro. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) GREENSBORO – All the pieces came together for Uwharrie Charter Academy’s wrestling team in another tight battle with Avery County. So this time, the Eagles won the Class 1-A dual team state championship. “Anytime you do something like this, it’s pretty special,” UCA coach Chris Waddell said. “It takes plenty – so moving parts to make it happen. It takes a collective effort.” Both teams won seven matches, but UCA racked up crucial…

03 Feb

UCA wrestlers head for title rematch with Avery County

Bob SuttonSportsclass 1-A, nchsaa, prep wrestling, Uwharrie Charter Academy

UCA’s Alec Millikan works against North East Carolina Prep’s Anthony Cairo during a 152-pound match in the state duals last weekend. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Uwharrie Charter Academy’s wrestling team will try again against Avery County with a Class 1-A dual team state championship on the line. The teams meet Saturday afternoon at the Greensboro Coliseum’s field house in a rematch of the 2022 title meet. UCA (35-0) has blown through most opponents, while Avery County (27-7) had stiffer tests to reach this stage again. These teams are familiar competitors in the finals. UCA won the 2019 title before Avery County…

02 Feb

Titles decided in middle school finals

Randolph RecordSportsPrep Basketball, RCSS

Jacquline McDaniel of Randleman Middle School launches a shot in the title game against Trinity Middle School’s Madison Hill, right, and overa Brennan Thomas. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) The Randolph County Middle School basketball championships were held Saturday at Eastern Randolph. The winners were the girls’ team from Randleman Middle School, which defeated Trinity Middle School, and the boys’ team from Southwestern Randolph, which topped regular-season champion Southeastern Middle School. Randleman’s girls ended up with an undefeated record.

01 Feb

RCSS receives electric bus as part of pilot program

Randolph RecordNewselectric bus, Randolph County School System, Randolph County Schools, RCSS, Stephen Gainey, transportation

The Randolph County School System is the first public school system in the state to receive an electric school bus as part of a pilot program funded by the North Carolina Volkswagen Settlement program. Various school officials and representatives of other groups gathered last week to document the development. In photo, left to right: Phillip Lanier, Randolph County Board of Education member; Michael Trent, Director of Innovative Energy Solutions, Randolph Electric Membership Corp.; Roy Parks, Western Regional Sales Manager, Carolina Thomas; Dr. Stephen Gainey, Superintendent, Randolph County School System; Elizabeth Biser, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality;…

01 Feb

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Thomas Leal

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, high school sports, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, prep sports, Thomas Leal

Southwestern Randolph, boys’ basketball The Cougars might have hit their stride, and they’ve been receiving key contributions from a variety of players. Leal is one of them. This has come as Southwestern Randolph cranked up a late-season surge for the second season in a row. Leal, a senior guard, scored 15 points in last week’s 63-58 victory at Providence Grove. He was one of four Cougars in double figures, led by Sean Adkins with 18. The Cougars entered this week with a six-game winning streak, helping them move into second place in the Piedmont Athletic Conference. Leal has been a…

31 Jan

Prep Roundup: UCA wrestlers keep rolling in state duals

Randolph RecordSportsnchsaa, Prep swimming, prep wrestling, Uwharrie Charter Academy

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Brandon Jordan controls North East Carolina Prep’s Christian Test during a 126-pound match. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Uwharrie Charter Academy’s wrestling team won two duals Saturday to advance in the Class 1-A state playoffs. The Eagles were at home as the East Region’s top seed, defeating Pender 66-18 and North East Carolina Prep 49-28. That sends UCA to Wednesday’s action against Pamlico, with Thomasville and host Rosewood also meeting in the third round at that site. The third-round winners meet later Wednesday with a spot in the state final at stake. The title matchup takes place…