Sports - Randolph Record

29 Jun

Good hands man for all seasons: Providence Grove’s Thomas makes positive impact

Bob SuttonSportsLuke Thomas, piedmont athletic conference, prep sports, Providence Grove, Providence Grove athletics, UNCG

Luke Thomas fires a pitch from the mound this spring. He's planning to play college baseball. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) CLIMAX – Whatever the sport at Providence Grove, Luke Thomas had the ball in his hands. Those were good hands for the Patriots. “I like being in control of the game. I don’t like leaning on other players,” Thomas said. “I like being the make-or-break type of guy.” Thomas helped make Providence Grove relevant on just about every level during a high school career that turned out unmatched. “A fixture not only in the football program but a fixture in the…

29 Jun

There’s still hope for Asheboro ZooKeepers despite tough times

Bob SuttonSportsAndrew Grande, Asheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, summer college baseball

Andrew Grande hopes his time with the Asheboro ZooKeepers leads to other opportunities. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Injury stalls plans for ‘free agent’ in search of new team ASHEBORO — No baseball team in the Coastal Plain League is probably ready for the season’s second half more than the Asheboro ZooKeepers. It’s bound to get better. The college summer league has had unfortunate stop-and-go nature for the ZooKeepers, both from a team perspective and an individual level. The ZooKeepers were forced on the road and into several situations necessitating make-up games because of delayed renovations at McCrary Park. Then there’s…

29 Jun

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Kaylee McDonald

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, girls soccer, Kaylee McDonald, prep sports, Trinity

Trinity | girls’ soccer, basketball McDonald, a senior, wrapped up her high school career with a spot on the All-Piedmont Conference girls’ soccer team. McDonald was a goalkeeper for the Bulldogs. She also was a starter on the Trinity girls’ basketball team. McDonald ranked in the top three in many of Trinity’s basketball statistics.

28 Jun

American Legion teams hit strides in Randolph County

Randolph RecordSportsAmerican Legion baseball, McCrary Park, Post 45, Post 81

Carson Rickman of Eastern Randolph Post 81 scores a run last week against Greensboro. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RAMSEUR – Eastern Randolph Post 81 had a recent nine-game winning streak in American Legion baseball. That string ended with a 5-4 loss last Friday at Greensboro. But Eastern Randolph was back on the winning mark Sunday night with a 4-2 win at Stanly County. TJ. McGraw’s two-run home run was the big hit in that game as the team improved its record to 13-7. In Asheboro, Randolph County Post 45 was the host for a multi-team event during the weekend at…

23 Jun

Baseball coach Smith adds Randleman’s AD title

Bob SuttonSportsJake Smith, nchsaa, piedmont athletic conference, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, Randleman High School

Jake Smith has led Randleman to back-to-back state championships in baseball and is taking on additional duties. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) State-champion baseball coach expands role at school RANDLEMAN – Randleman baseball coach Jake Smith has a new job, but he’s not going anywhere because of it. Smith, who has directed the Tigers to the past two Class 2-A state championships, is adding the athletics director title to his duties. “I’m going to try my hand at that a little bit,” Smith said. “It’s something I’m excited about.” He takes over for Ryan Dobias, who’s stepping aside from that role…

22 Jun

Sports Council honors seniors in spring

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, David Makupson, Eastern Randolph athletics, Luke Thomas, Providence Grove softball, Randleman baseball, Randolph Sports Council, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity athletics, Wheatmore athletics

Front row, left to right: Madison Farlow, Kylie Vaughan, David Makupson, Molly Strider, Haley Langley, Haley Hedrick. Back row: Gus Shelton, Brody Gardner, Luke Thomas, Gracie Ballard, Edi Austin, Spencer Hall. (Courtesy photo) SOPHIA – Area high school athletes were recognized for sportsmanship during the Randolph Sports Council’s spring banquet last month at Snyder Farms Restaurant. Two senior athletes from seven schools were recipients of the sportsmanship awards, which are accompanied by $500 scholarships. Recipients are selected by each school’s scholarship committee. The recipients were: Madison Arroyo and Tramir Martin of Asheboro. Haley Langley and Brody Gardner of Eastern Randolph.…

22 Jun

Asheboro represented on Mid-Piedmont Conference all-conference lists

Randolph RecordSportsArianna Lovingood-Smith, Asheboro Blue Comets, Mid-Piedmont Conference

Asheboro’s Arianna Lovingood-Smith’s lands in the pit in the triple jump during the state championships last month at North Carolina A&T. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Here’s a list of the Mid-Piedmont Conference’s major award winners plus Asheboro’s all-conference selections for spring sports: Baseball Player of the Year: Bailey Smith (Ledford) Pitcher of the Year: Walker Bethune (Ledford) Coach of the Year: Kevin Goss (Ledford) Asheboro: Hunter Koontz, Davis Gore, Tanner Marsh, Alex Martinez. Boys’ golf Player of the Year: Cayden Bryner (Oak Grove) Coach of the Year: Guhi Bowers (Central Davidson) Asheboro: David Elliott, Luke Payne Girls’ soccer Offensive…

22 Jun

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Joseph Phetmixay

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Joseph Phetmixay, prep sports, tennis, UCA

UCA | boys’ tennis Phetmixay had an undefeated season in dual competition in singles and doubles for Uwharrie Charter Academy. Phetmixay joined with classmate Drew Auman to finish as the Class 1-A state runners-up in doubles. Phetmixay played No. 1 singles for the Eagles, who were unbeaten duals in the regular season and finished with a 12-1 overall team record. Phetmixay received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy and will head to Colorado Springs, Colo. As a junior, he was one of five UCA students to become a professionally licensed drone pilot. Phetmixay also was a member of…

21 Jun

Postrace inspections alter Caraway Speedway results

Randolph RecordSportsCaraway speedway, Stock car racing

SOPHIA – Twice the first driver across the finish line didn’t end up the winner during Caraway Speedway’s slate of racing Saturday night. In the Challenger division, Fletcher Whaley was the first-race winner after Nathan Bess, who was first to cross the line, was disqualified via a postrace inspection. In the UCAR class, Josh Phillips prevailed courtesy of front runners Josh Williams and Troy Ring disqualified in postrace inspections. Other races had more conventional outcomes during the double-points racing that included select classes. Gary Ledbetter Jr. captured the first place in the 50-lap Mid-Atlantic Street Stocks feature. Jeff Sparks was…

15 Jun

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Makayla McClain

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Makayla McClain, prep sports, Providence Grove, softball

Providence Grove | softball McClain completed the season with a team-leading .597 batting average for the Patriots, who were undefeated into the fourth round of the Class 2-A state playoffs. She also was tops on the team with 11 home runs, 41 runs batted in and 34 runs scored for the team that ended up with a 24-1 record for the Piedmont Athletic Conference champions. She also had eight doubles and three triples to go with 14 stolen bases. McClain, a senior infielder, was a four-year member of the Providence Grove team. She’s regarded as one of the program’s top…