Sports - Randolph Record

13 Aug

Early showdowns dot Randolph County prep schedules

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, nchsaa, randolph county athletes, randolph county sports, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Wheatmore athletics

Asheboro boys' soccer players celebrate a goal during a game last year, which turned out to be a good season for the Blue Comets (File photo) High school sports games and matches for the 2022-23 school year begin next week with competitions that count on the records. For most sports in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, the first date for competition comes Monday (Aug. 15). Here are a few notable events on early schedules: • On Aug. 15, Southwestern Randolph travels to Central Davidson in the first boys’ soccer game with Jimmy Walker back in charge as coach…

12 Aug

Defending champ Cougars eager to see impact of changes for volleyball season

Bob SuttonSportsDarby Kennedy, nchsaa, prep sports, Prep volleyball, Southwestern Randolph, volleyball

Coley Shiflet is bound to be a key player again for Southwestern Randolph’s volleyball team. (File photo) Southwestern Randolph gears up for volleyball season after 2021 state title ASHEBORO — Southwestern Randolph’s volleyball team has a few different components this season. There will be a new offensive make-up and a key transfer with the Cougars. But one thing they don’t want to change is the rate of success. “There’s a lot of excitement in our gym,” coach Darby Kennedy said. “They want to hold onto the title and defend that title.” Southwestern Randolph is the reigning Class 2-A state champion.…

11 Aug

Troutman transfers out of UCA

Bob SuttonSportsAshton Troutman, basketball, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, prep sports, The Burlington School, UCA, Uwharrie Charter Academy

Basketball standout heads to private school for senior season BURLINGTON — One of the most highly recruited boys’ basketball players in Randolph County in the upcoming senior class will no longer will be playing for a school in the county. Ashton Troutman is transferring from Uwharrie Charter Academy to The Burlington School. He said he’s looking for more exposure and a higher level of competition. “Just being in a basketball environment and for a good team,” Troutman said. “I would have never flirted with the idea of leaving if it wasn’t for basketball.” Troutman, a 6-foot-7½, 205-pound post player, was…

10 Aug

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Logan Sawyer

Randolph RecordSportsbaseball, Logan Sawyer, prep sports, UCA

Uwharrie Charter Academy | baseball Sawyer, a senior infielder, wrapped up his final baseball season with Uwharrie Charter Academy in the spring. He landed a spot on the All-Piedmont Athletic Conference team. The Eagles finished the season with a 10-15 record after winning three games in the Class 1-A state playoffs. Their postseason run came to an end with a loss to eventual state runner-up Cherryville. During his senior year, Sawyer committed to play baseball at Division III Brevard College. He played this summer for the High Point Hushpuppies in the Old North State League, which is a summer circuit…

09 Aug

ZooKeepers coach departs after two seasons

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, Jeremy Knight, McCrary Park, Southern Alamance

Jeremy Knight decided to give up his job with the Asheboro ZooKeepers. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Jeremy Knight has stepped away from his roles with the Asheboro ZooKeepers. After guiding the Coastal Plain League baseball team for two seasons, he decided to resign as head coach and co-general manager. “It was becoming too much with two kids,” he said, calling it a family decision. “This year wore me out.” Knight’s record with the college summer team was 37-56, including a league-worst 14-33 mark this season. He’s returning to a teaching position at Southern Alamance High School. “It wasn’t because…

08 Aug

Area sports briefs: Charlotte teen wins Asheboro tourney; Caraway card wiped out

Randolph RecordSportsAmateur golf, Asheboro Municipal Golf Course, Caraway speedway, Connor Carter, Stock car racing

ASHEBORO – Neel Ladde of Charlotte won the Junior Amateur golf tournament during the weekend at Asheboro Municipal Golf Course. Ladde posted a total of 107 for 27 holes in the tournament that was reduced because of weather interfering. He had rounds of 36 and 71. Second place went to Lexington’s Steele Fischer (38-78) with 116 and third place went to Eastern Randolph rising senior Connor Carter (41-76) with 117. The 13-18-year-old age group had seven entrants, marking it the largest group in the tournament. Some golfers completed 12 holes before storms suspended play Saturday, so only the first nine…

06 Aug

Season fizzles on Post 45 in elimination loss

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, American Legion baseball, Braylen Hayes, McCrary Park, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh, Southeast Regional, Trey Way, Wilmington Post 10

Randolph County Post 45 team members go through their final postgame handshake line of the season Saturday at McCrary Park. ASHEBORO – This Randolph County Post 45 baseball team seemed built for big things. Too many big innings for opponents became the undoing for the host team in the American Legion’s Southeast Regional. “I definitely think we could have had a better season than this,” left fielder Adam Cole said. The end came with a 15-5 loss to Wilmington Post 10 in an elimination game Saturday at McCrary Park. The game was reduced to five innings by the mercy rule,…

06 Aug

Problems pile up on Post 45 in first regional loss

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, American Legion baseball, Braylen Hayes, McCrary Park, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh, Southeast Regional, Trey Way

Randolph County Post 45 coaches Ryan Hill, left, Ronnie Pugh and Andrew Conner will need a plan to win three more games in the Southeast Regional. (File photo) Randolph County needs turnaround to extend season ASHEBORO -- It didn’t start well for Randolph County Post 45. Then it got worse Friday night. Yet if there’s a good omen for the host team in Southeast Regional for American Legion baseball, things are bound to get better this weekend. Or else the season will come to a disheartening conclusion. “It’s an eye-opener,” Post 45 catcher Alex Martinez said after the 12-7 loss…

05 Aug

Hayes caps Post 45 drama in late-night Southeast Regional win

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Braylen Hayes, McCrary Park, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh, Southeast Regional, Tanner Marsh

Braylen Hayes had the final hit for Randolph County Post 45 in its extra-inning victory against Evans (Ga.) in the Southeast Regional. (File photo) ASHEBORO – Braylen Hayes wanted the chance to end Thursday night’s game in the Southeast Regional. The Randolph County Post 45 center fielder didn’t miss on that. “It works at the end, that’s all that matters,” Hayes said. “I knew (it was the winning hit) because Blake (Marsh) can move pretty good. He’s going to score.” Hayes belted a double off the wall in left field with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning,…

04 Aug

Little comes up big as Post 45 pulls out victory in Southeast Regional opener

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, American Legion baseball, Blake Marsh, Grant Little, Josh Meadows, McCrary Park, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Rock Hill Post 34, Southeast Regional, Tanner Marsh, Trey Way

Grant Little's return to action turned out to be timely for Randolph County Post 45. (File photo) ASHEBORO – The game barely started and Randolph County Post 45 needed big help in the Southeast Regional. That came from Grant Little, who hadn’t pitched in more than a month. Little calmed things down for Post 45 before the offense caused commotion in what became a 14-8 victory against Rock Hill (S.C.) Post 34 in the nightcap of the first day of the American Legion regional Wednesday night at McCrary Park. “We realize what we’re playing for,” Post 45 shortstop Tanner Marsh…