Blog - Randolph Record

31 Dec

2024 sports in review: Title times come for area teams

Bob SuttonSports2024, Asheboro Zookeepers, Cam Letterlough, College baseball, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Ellie Garrison, Prep baseball, prep football, prep soccer, prep wrestling, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Tim Kelly, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

There was lots to celebrate for the Southwestern Randolph softball team at the 2024 state finals. (Randolph Record file photo) There were no shortage of special moments and achievements for area athletes in 2024 Championship appearances on the state level for several schools were among Randolph County sports highlights in 2024. The year was sprinkled with significant success stories. Four different schools captured team championships, while teams from two schools were left with the heartbreak of state runner-up finishes to accompany a sense of accomplishment. Here’s a review of some notable 2024 area sports achievements: Title moments In some cases,…

31 Dec

2024 in review: Politics, sadness and projects in Randolph County

Bob SuttonNews2024, 2024 elections, crime, randolph county, Year in Review

ASHEBORO – Politics tended to dominate much of the conversation in Randolph County during 2024. Even the presidential campaign made inroads in the county. There was an August campaign event featuring Donald Trump, who was voted back into office in November. The November results weren’t only favorable for Trump among Republicans. The party maintained its stronghold on local politics. That included the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, who remained dominated by Republicans. Lester Rivenbark was elected to become a newcomer on the board. There were heavy voter turnouts in Randolph County, pretty much mirroring what was happening around the state…

30 Dec

Randleman Tigers build more momentum, take boys’ title in holiday tourney

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Brayden Chapman, Chase Farlow, holiday tournament, Jireh Price, Osiris Rodriguez, Prep Basketball, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Tyshaun Goldston

Randleman’s Tyshaun Goldston goes up for a shot as Asheboro’s Jalial Timmons, left, applies pressure and Randleman’s Chase Farlow and Asheboro’s Zak Blackwell look on. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – As the good times keep rolling for Randleman’s boys’ basketball team, it’s what the Tigers expect. “I’m not really surprised,” senior Tyshaun Goldston said. “We could play a little better, but we should be in the spot we’re in.” After winning last week’s SportsTone.net Christmas Invitational, Randleman has made it almost halfway through the regular season without a loss. “It’s a talented group, a bunch of seniors and…

30 Dec

Downtown Asheboro buzzes during holidays

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsAsheboro Christmas Parade, City of Asheboro, downtown asheboro

There was a festive atmosphere and several events in downtown Asheboro during the recent holiday season. (Thadd Sanders / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Crowds visited downtown Asheboro in big numbers prior to and during the holidays, and that was pleasing to mayor David Smith. Smith said the events that spread across a few weeks provided festive atmospheres. In particular, Smith pointed to the Christmas on Sunset activities that drew a bustling turnout across three hours of activities. “I’d say that is as big as we’ve ever done,” he said. “The streets were full from store to store.” The turnout to…

29 Dec

Southwestern Randolph girls keep adding to special season by winning holiday tournament

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, holiday tournament, Macy Allred, Maddie Strider, Prep Basketball, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs

Southwestern Randolph’s Macy Allred drives against Randleman’s Kadie Green with Cougars coach Seth Baxter looking on during the SportsTone.net Christmas Invitational championship game Saturday night at Asheboro. Southwestern Randolph won to remain undefeated. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – What’s shaping up as a special season for Southwestern Randolph’s girls’ basketball team became even better in the SportsTone.net Christmas Invitational. The Cougars handled three opponents to remain undefeated. “We just enjoy playing with each other,” guard Maddie Strider said. Southwestern Randolph capped the tournament by defeating Piedmont Athletic Conference rival Randleman 42-30 on Saturday night. Strider’s 14 points and…

28 Dec

Randleman lineman involved in points record in Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas

Randolph RecordSportsEast Carolina, Jonathan Stokes, prep football, Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Jonathan Stokes of Randleman was part of a record-setting performance in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas. Stokes, an offensive lineman, was on the North Carolina team in the 49-24 victory against South Carolina on Dec. 21 at Spartanburg High School in South Carolina. That marked the most points the North Carolina team has ever scored in the game history of the game, which extends more than 80 years. Senior standouts from North Carolina meet those from South Carolina in the annual game. It also was North Carolina’s first victory in 12 years, though there were no…

27 Dec

Two girls’ teams, two boys’ teams from Randolph County win tourney openers in Asheboro

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Burlington Williams, Chatham Charter, holiday tournament, Lexington Yellowjackets, Prep Basketball, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Thomasville Bulldogs, Trinity Bulldogs

Randleman’s Chenleigh Robinson goes up for a shot against Eastern Guilford’s Mauri Jerman during the opening day of the Sportstone.net Invitational in Asheboro. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – The opening day of the Sportstone.net Invitational lacked late-game drama, but there were a good number of positive developments for Randolph County entrants. The girls’ and boys’ basketball tournament continues Friday and Saturday at Asheboro High School. There were a couple of notable rallies for Randolph County girls’ teams – one that panned out and another that fizzled. Here’s a look at a few of Thursday’s highlights from the eight-game…

26 Dec

NCHSAA’s conference draft could spread out Randolph County schools

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

New league alignments within the NCHSAA begin by summer Randolph County schools will be spread out when it comes to conference affiliations based on an initial draft sent to schools from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. Schools can provide feedback on the drafts before those are finalized, likely in January. The new alignments, which are developed to be in place for four years, begin next summer. The NCHSAA is expanding from four classifications to eight, so there are bound to be different combinations when it comes to conference set-ups. The drafts reveal more split conferences (leagues with schools…

25 Dec

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Finley Bryant

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Finley Bryant, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, Wheatmore athletics, Wheatmore Warriors

Wheatmore, boys’ basketball Bryant is trying to help the Warriors to a resurgence this season. He’s the team’s leader in assists and steals more than one-third of the way through the schedule. The senior guard has given the backcourt a boost for a team that has a blend of veterans and emerging younger players. The Warriors have already eclipsed last season’s win total. By defeating Trinity last week, it gave Wheatmore its first Piedmont Athletic Conference victory in three years. That result, which was aided by Bryant’s 14 points and five assists, also snapped Wheatmore’s nine-game losing streak in the…

25 Dec

Detour in place on U.S. 421 near megasite outside Liberty

Randolph RecordNewsGreensboro-Randolph megasite, megasite, randolph county, traffic, U.S. 421

LIBERTY – There’s a traffic shift in place on U.S. 421 North to accommodate more work near the Greensboro-Randolph megasite. A contractor for the North Carolina Department of Transportation is working at the intersection of Starmount Road near the 186 mile marker. Information from the NCDOT says the temporary shift will allow crews from Ames Construction to work on the median and construct two new bridges related to a U.S. 421 improvement project. Signs and markings will direct motorists onto the detour, bypassing the work zone and continuing north on the roadway. NCDOT requests that drivers use caution in that…