Blog - Randolph Record

28 Jan

Winning smiles: Middle school basketball champions

Randolph RecordSportsmiddle school, Prep Basketball, randolph county

Southwestern Randolph Middle School was the girls’ champion in the Randolph County basketball championships, defeating Southeastern Randolph Middle School in the final Saturday at Trinity. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record)

27 Jan

Prep boys: Providence Grove scrambles PAC race by topping UCA

Randolph RecordSportsAndrew Thomas, Asheboro Blue Comets, Eli Johnson, Osiris Rodriguez, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, Providence Grove, Randleman Tigers, Tyshaun Goldston, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Will Dabbs

ASHEBORO — Will Dabbs scored 30 points and the Providence Grove boys’ basketball team disrupted the pecking order in the Piedmont Athletic Conference by winning 63-50 at Uwharrie Charter Academy on Friday night. Andrew Thomas notched 13 points as Patriots knocked UCA out of a share of first place in a crowded PAC race. Providence Grove enters this week in a third-place tie with UCA (at 4-2) behind Randleman (5-1) and Eastern Randolph (4-1). Tuesday’s docket shows Eastern Randolph going to Randleman in a game to determine the league leader with about two weeks remaining. Teams also have make-up games…

26 Jan

Prep girls: Two wins keep Southwestern Randolph girls unbeaten

Randolph RecordSportsBella Byman, Gracie Beane, Jordin George, Maddie Strider, Prep Basketball, Randleman Tigers, Seth Baxter, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

Coach Seth Baxter and his Southwestern Randolph team have stayed unblemished going into late January. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) MT. PLEASANT — There were just a smattering of games last week in the area, but the Southwestern Randolph girls’ basketball team made the most of outings on back-to-back days. Southwestern Randolph won 39-33 in Saturday’s non-conference game at Mount Pleasant to remain undefeated. Jordin George posted 11 points and Maddie Strider had 10 points for the Cougars, who improved to 17-0. Southwestern Randolph overcame a 20-16 halftime hole by outscoring Mount Pleasant 15-5 in the third quarter. The Tigers…

25 Jan

Randleman’s new football leader brings deep family coaching roots

Bob SuttonSportsDavid Diamont, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Randleman Tigers, Shane Timmons

David Diamont says he’ll work to build relationships as Randleman’s new football coach. (Photo courtesy Randleman athletics) RANDLEMAN – David Diamont saw his father lead high school football programs for decades and knew he wanted to do the same. Now he’ll have that chance at Randleman. “This definitely is a dream of mine,” Diamont said. “It’s new territory for me. I’m excited to get to work and learn.” Diamont, 35, had been offensive coordinator at Burns for the past three seasons. He takes over for Shane Timmons, who stepped aside following his fifth season as Randleman’s head coach because of…

24 Jan

Area schools don’t shift in second NCHSAA league draft

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

There were no changes involving Randolph County schools in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s second draft of conference alignments. That revised draft was released this week. “What I gather is our schools are pretty happy where they are,” said Stephen Gainey, superintendent of the Randolph County School System. RCSS has six high schools as part of the NCHSAA. Gainey began a term as NCHSAA president last summer, so has a keen eye on the topic. Appeals and comments from schools regarding the conference make-ups are due Tuesday. The realignment committee is scheduled to meet again Feb. 3-4. “A…

24 Jan

REMC awards grants to area educators

Randolph RecordNewsAsheboro City Schools, Education, Randolph County School System, Randolph Electric Membership Corporation

Here’s Jessica Hoffmire with Uwharrie Charter Academy Elementary School students showing the grant certificate from the Randolph Electric Membership Corporation. (REMC photo) ASHEBORO — Five educators in schools in Randolph County are recipients of grants through the Randolph Electric Membership Corporation. Bright Ideas grants support classroom projects in the subjects of agriculture, science, art, music and more in local schools throughout REMC’s service territory. “We commend these educators for striving to make learning fun and engaging,” said Nicole Arnold, REMC's communications and public affairs manager. The grants associated with schools in Randolph County went to: ** Kristen Toscano of South Asheboro Middle School for…

23 Jan

Caraway cooks up winter racing card after banquet

Randolph RecordSportsBrody Duggins, Caraway speedway, Jason Richmond, Jaxson Casper, Rudy Hartley, Stock car racing

SOPHIA – It was a look to the past and accelerating to the future for Caraway Speedway. The raceway has scheduled its first on-track action of the year for Saturday. IT’s the third annual Winter Heat with competition in Limited Late Models, Pro Late Models, 602 Modifieds, UCARs, Bootleggers, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks and a combination of Chargers and Challengers. Racing is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. But during the past weekend, the speedway recognized its 2024 championship at its annual banquet. The top three finishers in the track’s regular weekly divisions were honored Saturday night. Brody Duggins, with…

22 Jan

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Desiree Rondon

Randolph RecordSportsDesiree Rondon, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, Trinity Bulldogs

Trinity, girls’ basketball Rondon helped Trinity secure its first Piedmont Athletic Conference victory in almost two years in a 34-28 home victory against Eastern Randolph last week. Rondon, a post player, was credited with pulling in a team-high 12 rebounds in the game. Rondon is one of two seniors on the Trinity team. She ranks fourth among the Bulldogs in scoring. Entering this week, Trinity held an 8-8 overall record as it bids for its first winning season since 2016-17. *** *** Photo: Desiree Rondon of Trinity takes a shot during a holiday tournament last month in Asheboro. (PJ Ward-Brown /…

21 Jan

Randolph County’s ACT, SAT scores lower than state average

Ryan HenkelNewsboard of education, Education, Randolph County School System

ASHEBORO – Randolph County saw a bit of a dip in some of its college-ready standardized testing. The Randolph County Schools Board of Education was presented with the prior year standardized testing data at its Jan. 13 meeting. The county has historically trailed the state in terms of average scores. However, the schools are seeing a gradual decline in overall scoring average within the county as well. “In 2024, the average ACT score for Randolph County was 16.6, which was just a slight decline from the prior year average of 16.7,” said Meredith Weipert, Director of Testing and Accountability. “In 2024,…

21 Jan

Title chase takes different complexion for PAC girls

Bob SuttonSportsPrep Basketball, Randleman Tigers, Scott Tyson, Seth Baxter, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Southwestern Randolph’s Gracie Hodgin creates a defensive presence against Randleman’s Chenleigh Robinson during a holiday tournament game last month. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) Randleman’s girls’ basketball team isn’t much interested in losing the grip it has held on the Piedmont Athletic Conference the past several years. “We’ll see if there’s a changing of the guard,” first-year coach Scott Tyson said. But the Tigers will have work to do to hold ownership of the league championship for a fourth consecutive year. Southwestern Randolph has been a contender in the past and this might be the season that the Cougars take…