Blog - Randolph Record

02 Jan

Prep girls: Cougars collect tourney title with strong defense

Randolph RecordSportsholiday tournament, Jordin George, Prep Basketball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

ASHEBORO – The Southwestern Randolph girls’ basketball team didn’t need big offensive numbers to win the SportsTone.net Christmas Invitational last week. The Cougars handled things with their defense. So the outcome was three victories in three days in the tournament at Asheboro High School. The Cougars finished their tournament run by controlling West Brunswick 45-30 in Friday night’s title game. West Brunswick was held to 10 second-half points after a 20-20 halftime score. Jordin George of Southwestern Randolph was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. She scored 11 points in the West Brunswick game. Maddie Strider was the top scorer…

01 Jan

Plenty of special sports moments to savor in 2023

Bob SuttonSports2023, Brandon Varner, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Johnny Thomas, Prep baseball, Prep Basketball, prep football, Prep volleyball, prep wrestling, Randleman Tigers, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

It was another special season for Southwestern Randolph’s volleyball team and coach Darby Kennedy. (Scott Pelkey/Randolph Record) Here’s a look at some of the top sports-related story topics in Randolph County in 2023: ** The gym at Trinity High School was named in honor of longtime boys’ basketball coach Tim Kelly. ** Uwharrie Charter Academy’s wrestling team won the Class 1-A dual team state championship by defeating Avery County in Greensboro. ** Eastern Randolph’s Brecken Snotherly set a school record for points in a girls’ basketball game by posting 51 against Trinity. Snotherly had a stellar senior season before going…

28 Dec

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Brandon Campbell

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week

Trinity, boys’ basketball Campbell has been a solid player for the Bulldogs, averaging in double-figure points this season. He was slightly above 10 points per game last season. The senior forward has been a good complement for high-scoring teammate Dominic Payne. His ability to produce offensively has given Trinity some versatility. Campbell is a two-time All-PAC selection in basketball. Campbell has been an all-conference choice in track and field as well. On the football team, he was one of the Bulldogs’ top receivers along with among the leading tackers on defense as a linebacker. ‌

27 Dec

North Carolina State Parks to Host First Day Hikes

Randolph RecordFeatureshiking trails

On January 1, 2024, North Carolina joins the nationwide tradition of First Day Hikes, an event organized by the National Association of State Park Directors. The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced that the state will host more than 50 staff-led hikes across its state parks. State Parks Director Brian Strong expressed excitement about the expanded First Day Hikes program for 2024. "After a few years of smaller programming, we are offering a wide variety of guided hikes and events at most of our state parks," Strong said. He encouraged visitors to bring family and friends for outdoor adventures,…

27 Dec

Uwharrie Charter Academy PTO treasurer charged with embezzlement

Scott PelkeyNewsarrests

ASHEBORO — The former treasurer of Uwharrie Charter Academy's Elementary School's Parent Teacher Organization has been charged with a felony after investigators say she embezzled tens of thousands of dollars from the organization. According to a press release from the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, on September 18th, 2023, investigators received a report of embezzlement at Uwharrie Charter Elementary School located in Asheboro, NC. School officials reported suspicious activity following an internal audit of the Parent Teacher Organization's (PTO) financial records. The Sheriff's Office says detectives uncovered evidence that substantiated the school's findings and identified Julie W. McNeill, the former treasurer…

27 Dec

NC Zoo mourns giraffe calf Fenn

Randolph RecordNewsbaby giraffe, death, Fenn

ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Zoo announced the untimely death of Fenn, the beloved six-month-old giraffe calf, whose birth and presence at the zoo delighted individuals around the world. A grief counselor was brought in to support staff members as they navigate the emotions associated with the tragic loss. Fenn was nursing when he was startled by another giraffe. He bolted, colliding with a nearby gate and falling to the ground. Unfortunately, Fenn sustained head and neck trauma from the fall and passed away in the late evening on Dec. 13, despite rapid medical intervention from veterinary staff. Fenn was born…

27 Dec

Man arrested for using flashing police lights to pull over cars

Scott PelkeyBusiness

ASHEBORO — A local man was arrested last week after the Randolph County Sheriff's Office says he attempted to use flashing red and blue lights to pull over a vehicle in Asheboro. On December 20th, 2023, deputies responded to Meadowbrook Road after a caller reported that they had been followed by a vehicle flashing blue and red lights that they did not believe was law enforcement. According to a press release from the Sheriff's Office, deputies located the vehicle and identified the driver as Dennis Charles Richardson, age 60. The deputies determined the vehicle was privately owned and Richardson is…

25 Dec

Holiday hoops return to Asheboro after hiatus

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Asheboro High School, holiday tournament, Prep Basketball, Providence Grove Patriots, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs

Asheboro’s Malaika Khan takes a shot against Uwharrie Charter Academy earlier this season. This week, there will be holiday tournament play in Asheboro’s gym. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Holiday high school basketball action returns to Asheboro after a three-year gap with this week’s 16-team event at Asheboro High School. The tournament includes a girls’ bracket and a boys’ bracket, with five schools from Randolph County in the field. It’s called the SportsTone.net Christmas Invitational. Games will be held Wednesday through Friday. Along with host Asheboro, the schools entered are Providence Grove, Randleman, Southwestern Randolph, Trinity, Eastern Guilford, North Carolina…

24 Dec

Prep basketball roundup: Randleman boys make early PAC statement

Randolph RecordSportsDominic Payne, holiday tournament, Jerquarius Stanback, Prep Basketball, Randleman Tigers

RANDLEMAN – Randleman made perhaps the first big statement in Piedmont Athletic Conference boys’ basketball by knocking off defending champion Eastern Randolph 71-50 last week. Tyshaun Goldston’s 18 points and Greg Price’s 15 points were tops for the Tigers. Timothy Brower had 24 points for Eastern Randolph. Entering the holiday break from conference competition, Randleman and Trinity were at 2-0 as the only teams in the PAC without a league loss. ** Trinity smacked host Wheatmore 71-38 in PAC play as Dominic Payne posted 27 points and Brandon Campbell had 15 points. ** Southwestern Randolph received 20 points from Marcus…

23 Dec

Norwood begins journey with Tar Heels

Bob SuttonSportscollege football, college recruiting, Eastern Randolph athletics, Eastern Randolph football, Jani Norwood, North Carolina Tar Heels, prep football

Jani Norwood (Courtesy photo) RAMSEUR – Jani Norwood of Eastern Randolph officially became a member of the signing class for the North Carolina football team this week. The senior lineman was a four-year starter on the offensive line. This year, he was named the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year for his work on the defensive front for the Wildcats, who won their third consecutive conference championship. Twenty of North Carolina’s 27 signees, including Norwood, are listed as early enrollees and another comes as a junior college transfer. That explains why Norwood isn’t a member of Eastern Randolph’s…