Sports - Randolph Record

14 Jan

It’s hard to pin down new Asheboro wrestling coach

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Braxton Walker, Cliff Thompson, Gavin Hardister, prep wrestling, Wes Berrier

Asheboro wrestling coach Cliff Thompson, left, shares a laugh with assistant coach Scott Bainville at a recent meet. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Cliff Thompson has coached an assortment of area wrestlers in and around Randolph County. So in his role as first-year Asheboro coach, he’s familiar with just about anyone he comes across on the mats. He has been questioned by his wrestlers: “Why everybody talk to you?” It’s because Thompson is well-known in wrestling circles. He said he’s glad he has landed with the Blue Comets. Thompson, a 1998 Randleman graduate, won a state championship as…

13 Jan

Prep boys’ basketball: UCA Eagles stick Randleman with first loss

Randolph RecordSportsAaron Smith, Andrew Thomas, Braeden Lamb, Brayden Chapman, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Finley Bryant, Jaxon Mabe, Julian Brooks, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Timothy Brower, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

Aaron Smith of Uwharrie Charter Academy goes up for a shot against Randleman. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – Randleman’s unbeaten status in boys’ basketball was wiped away last week. Uwharrie Charter Academy delivered the first loss of the season on the Tigers, winning 61-56 in a Piedmont Athletic Conference road game. Aaron Smith’s 21 points led the Eagles, while Braeden Lamb added 18 points. Smith, who also grabbed 11 rebounds, shot 7-for-10 from the field and 8-for-9 on free throws. Randleman won its first 11 games this season. The Tigers defeated UCA twice last season by an average…

12 Jan

UCA wrestlers buff up with more success

Bob SuttonSportsCaden Bond, Chris Waddell, Dominic Hittepole, Lorenzo Alston, piedmont athletic conference, prep wrestling, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

Caden Bond TRINITY — Uwharrie Charter Academy’s wrestling team is on target for a league championship and another bid for a dual team state title. Per usual, the Eagles have been doing so by rolling past most opponents. “We’re trying to dominate,” senior Aiden Foster said. “We’re trying to be better every day.” UCA has a new coach in Hayden Waddell, who moved into the position that his father, Chris Waddell, previously held. The elder Waddell remains involved and on the bench with the Eagles. “We’re trying to stay consistent with what we do,” said Hayden Waddell, who was the…

11 Jan

Prep girls’ basketball: Staples sets UCA record; Providence Grove ends skid vs. neighbor

Randolph RecordSportsLaurel Bernhardt, Nevaeh Staples, Prep Basketball, Providence Grove Patriots, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Nevaeh Staples goes up for a shot against Bethany Community earlier this season. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Junior forward Nevaeh Staples set a Uwharrie Charter Academy single-game program record with 34 points in Thursday night’s 68-49 girls’ basketball victory against visiting Eastern Randolph. Staples shot 13-for-15 from the field and went 8-for-13 on free throws in the Piedmont Athletic Conference game. She had 10 first-quarter points and went to halftime with 18 points before rolling up 10 more points in the third quarter. Sammy Chriscoe added 11 points for UCA (14-3, 3-1). Staples also provided seven rebounds,…

10 Jan

Schools in Randolph County react to NCHSAA league proposals

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Chris Chapman, Chris Waddell, Cody Moran, Corey Phillips, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, nchsaa, piedmont athletic conference, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, realignment, Robert Mitchell, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wes Berrier, Wheatmore Warriors

ASHEBORO – The proposed conference make-ups for the next North Carolina High School Athletic Association realignment look good to officials from most Randolph County schools. That’s not to say adjustments won’t be sought from some schools, including Southwestern Randolph. “We’re researching some things,” athletics director Chris Chapman said. The new league lineups come as the NCHSAA expands from four to eight classifications beginning in the summer to begin a four-year cycle. The initial draft of conferences was unveiled in December. Schools have until Jan. 21 to appeal for changes. “I think the state did a real good job of thinking…

09 Jan

Randleman’s champion high jumper adds dunking to portfolio, picks N.C. State for college

Bob SuttonSportsChase Farlow, North Carolina State, Prep Basketball, prep track and field, Randleman Tigers

Chase Farlow of Randleman soars toward the rim against Eastern Randolph last month. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – One the state’s top high jumpers can dunk, too. It hasn’t come automatically for Randleman senior Chase Farlow, but he has thrown a few down in game action for the Tigers boys’ basketball team. During the holiday break, Farlow also locked in his college destination. He’s heading to North Carolina State on a scholarship for track and field. Farlow said he felt the Wolfpack’s program was a good fit for him. He drew increasing interest from college track and field…

08 Jan

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Timothy Brower

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Prep Basketball, Timothy Brower

Eastern Randolph, boys’ basketball Brower has been off to another strong start to a season as he’s one of the region’s most dynamic guards. A senior, he’s averaging 21.3 points per game. His 22-point outing against visiting Asheboro on Friday night was another example of his production. Brower has Eastern Randolph’s top totals in 3-point baskets and free throws, while also leading the Wildcats with 3.7 assists per game. He’s among the team leaders in rebounding with six boards per outing. Brower posted a team-leading 20.7 points per game last season. That came after he was second among the Wildcats…

07 Jan

Asheboro Blue Comets look toward conference basketball challenges

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Brian Nance, Mid-Piedmont Conference, Osiris Rodriguez, Prep Basketball

Asheboro’s Elijah Woodle goes up for a shot against Chatham Central as teammate Osiris Rodriguez looks on during action in last month’s holiday tournament. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – The beginning of play in the Mid-Piedmont Conference gives the Asheboro boys’ basketball team something fresh to experience. The Blue Comets are looking for another strong effort in league competition. With a 9-3 overall record, there’s plenty to be excited about. “We just want to win,” forward Zak Blackwell said. “We put in all the work.” Veteran coach Brian Nance’s team won nine of its first 10 games. So…

06 Jan

Prep wrestling: Wheatmore’s Hittepole pins way to title; Trinity grapplers excel; UCA racks up duals wins

Randolph RecordSportsBliss Joyce, Dominic Hittepole, Jaden Allred, Joseph Trahan, Lorenzo Alston, prep wrestling, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

Wheatmore’s Dominic Hittepole, top, works against an opponent during last year’s state tournament. (Randolph Record file photo) GREENSBORO – Dominic Hittepole of Wheatmore added another individual championship in the wrestling season by capturing first place in the Crosby Invitational on Saturday at Greensboro Dudley. Hittepole pinned Eden Morehead’s Brock Blizzard in 3:45 of the 175-pound title bout. It was his fourth pin of the day after topping Central Davidson’s Ethan Mumford in 31 seconds, Greensboro Page’s Ian Harris in 3:14 and Greensboro Grimsley’s Hayden Rogers in 32 seconds. A week earlier, Hittepole won 6-3 against Blizzard in a consolation-round match…

05 Jan

Prep basketball roundup: Eastern Randolph’s late surge tops Asheboro boys

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Laurel Bernhardt, Osiris Rodriguez, Prep Basketball, Providence Grove Patriots, Timothy Brower, Wheatmore Warriors

RAMSEUR – Timothy Brower scored 22 points and Eastern Randolph pulled out a 66-50 victory against visiting Asheboro in Friday night’s non-conference boys’ basketball game. The Wildcats posted 20 of the game’s last 24 points. Tyler Gee scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and Camden Jones finished with 16 points. For Asheboro, Jewel Barrett-Riggins had 14 points and Osiris Rodriguez notched 10 points. In the girls’ game, Eastern Randolph won 47-32 as Raegan Beaver’s 14 points and Cora Sparrow’s 13 points led the way. ** Southwestern Randolph swept road games at Chatham Central on Friday night.…