Sports - Randolph Record

29 Jul

Copperheads navigate tricky season, seek playoff spot

Bob SuttonSportsCooperheads

ASHEBORO -- Closing in on the completion of a full season is an accomplishment in many ways for the Asheboro Copperheads, who are about to wrap up their Coastal Plain League baseball schedule. For first-year head coach Jeremy Knight, the challenges showed up at just about every turn but he was happy to have the chance to navigate the season. “Doing stuff like this is a great opportunity for me,” Knight said. A spot in the CPL postseason seems possible for the Copperheads, who entered the last week of the regular season playing at about a .500 clip for the…

29 Jul

City explores major McCrary Park renovations

Bob SuttonGovernment, Sports

Ballpark overhaul includes several stages, fundraising needs ASHEBORO -- The Asheboro City Council is looking for a collaborative project involving public and private money for a major renovation of McCrary Park. The city-owned baseball facility attracts thousands of visitors a year and a facelift is in order, council members have said. “We see this investment as a true form of economic development,” mayor David Smith said. “Tournaments and ball games at McCrary Park consistently bring people to Asheboro businesses throughout the spring and summer. These improvements will further strength our partnership with the American Legion baseball program, Copperheads baseball and…

28 Jul

Foust continues to shine in showcase event

Bob SuttonSportsProvidence Grove

Basketball player becomes first from Providence Grove as N.C. East-West All-Star ASHEBORO -- When playing for Providence Grove, Jonathan Foust made steady improvements on the basketball court the past couple of seasons. “Once he got comfortable, he did some really good things,” coach Wes Luther said. Much of that could apply to how Foust handled his role last week in the North Carolina East-West All-Star game. “I had a great time,” Foust said. “It was different from what I’m used to.” Luther became the first participant in any sport from Providence Grove to be selected for a North Carolina East-West…

28 Jul

Brinkley sweeps features at Caraway

Bob SuttonSports

SOPHIA – Teenager Blaise Brinkley won twice Saturday night to extend his points lead in the Late Models division at Caraway Speedway as part of the Hot Summer Clash. Brinkley, who’s from Sanford, claimed both features in the class, with JR Goode the runner-up in each of those 35-lap races. Tony Black was in third place both times. There were twin features in three other divisions. In the 602 Modifieds race, Rich Hunter and Jody Utt were winners in 20-lap events. In the Challengers division, Nathan Bess won the first 20-lap feature among 14 entrants. The second feature was captured…

21 Jul

Teen creates family connection at Caraway

Bob SuttonSports

ASHEBORO — When Blaise Brinkley is behind the wheel of his stock car at Caraway Speedway, there are all sorts of connections that surface. “I get told that every time I go race out there,” Brinkley said of spectators recalling his father’s racing days. “They said, ‘I watched your dad here and he was a wheelman.’ ” That’s in reference to Brad Brinkley, a past champion at the track. Now there’s a new generation emerging, with 18-year-old Blaise Brinkley leading the Late Models points as the 2021 season has passed the midway mark. “He races more like a veteran,” Brad…

21 Jul

Bucks win NBA title

Cory LavaletteSportsNBA

MILWAUKEE — Giannis Antetokounmpo had the Larry O’Brien Trophy in one arm, the NBA Finals MVP trophy in the other and there was a cigar on the table in front of him. All the work it took to lift the Milwaukee Bucks from a team that won 15 games when he was a rookie to one with 16 wins this postseason was finally finished. “This is time to celebrate,” Antetokounmpo said. Milwaukee waited 50 years for that. Antetokounmpo ended one of the greatest NBA Finals ever with 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots as the Bucks beat the…

19 Jul

Copperheads see plenty of UNCG influence

Bob SuttonSportsasheboro copperheads, Coastal Plain League, coppherheads, UNC Greensboro, UNCG

ASHEBORO — When something notable happens for the Asheboro Copperheads, there’s a good chance it could have something to do with one of their players from UNC Greensboro. The time this summer with the Coastal Plain League team has been an ideal proving grounds for the college players. “It’s top-level competition, really good,” said infielder Matt Kemp, who’s from Randleman. “It’s better than I thought it would be.” While Kemp is getting back in the swing of things after his freshman season, pitcher Jared Mathewson is trying to tune up for a final go-around at the college level. “It has…

19 Jul

Wake Forest teen collects title in Asheboro

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro, Asheboro Municipal Golf Course, Davis Wotnosky, Wake Forest

ASHEBORO — Davis Wotnosky of Wake Forest won the North Carolina Junior Boys’ 14-and-under championship last week at Asheboro Municipal Golf Course. Wotnosky shot rounds of 71 and 69 for an even-par 140, giving him a one-shot victory on John John Santospago (69-72) of Charlotte. Matthews’ Caedmon Albertyn and Winston-Salem’s Luke Tisdale shot 144s to tie for third place, while Wallburg’s Lincoln Newton, Morganton’s Alex Bock and Waxhaw’s Lucas Cron shot 146s to share fifth place in the 55-golfer field. Clodfelter contends at qualifier At Mebane, Jake Clodfelter of Trinity came up a few strokes shy of advancing in a…

07 Jul

Paul carries Suns past Giannis, Bucks in NBA Finals opener

Associated PressSportsChris Paul, NBA

PHOENIX — Chris Paul waited 16 years to get to the NBA Finals, bringing with him a team starving for its first championship. The setting was entirely new. The performance was same ol’ Chris Paul. “Just knew he’s ready,” Phoenix forward Mikal Bridges said. “He’s prepared his whole life for this moment and it shows out there on the court.” Paul had 32 points and nine assists in an NBA Finals debut that was well worth the wait, Devin Booker scored 27 points and the Suns beat the returning Giannis Antetokounmpo and his Milwaukee Bucks 118-105 on Tuesday night in…

07 Jul

Bigger crowds at Caraway as season passes midpoint

Randolph RecordSportsCaraway, racing

ASHEBORO — The racing season has sped past the midway mark at Caraway Speedway, and there are encouraging signs, general manager Darren Hackett said. The ninth card of the season produced one of the bigger crowds of the year for Saturday night’s Rusty Harpe Memorial. “It hit pretty much what I had in mind,” Hackett said of a turnout of about 3,000 spectators. “So far, I’m satisfied.” What might not have been anticipated was the winner of the SMART Star race. That was Concord’s Gary Putnam, who claimed the 100-lap feature in the No. 77 car. Putnam passed Caleb Heady…