Sports

Ward claims Late Models win in Caraway opener

Ward claims Late Models win in Caraway opener

SOPHIA – There was a different driver in a certain Late Models car but a familiar name behind the wheel when Caraway Speedway’s points season opened Sunday. It began the 57th season at the track. Third-generation driver Trevor Ward guided a car owned by former track champion Jay Hedgecock to the victory in the 60-lap race. Ward led for about the last 40 laps after getting around pole sitter Coy Beard, the 2020 champion who finished as the runner-up. Tony Black was third, and reigning track champion Blaise Brinkley took fourth ahead of Daniel Schadt in the nine-car field. On…
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Prep Notes: County teams starting strong; Trinity jumper posts record

Prep Notes: County teams starting strong; Trinity jumper posts record

Randleman’s Ryan White watches the ball as he strokes a hit in last week’s 9-1 baseball victory at Asheboro. With the spring regular seasons about one-third of the way complete in many cases, several Randolph County teams began this week with unblemished records. The group includes the Randleman baseball team, the Providence Grove softball team and the Wheatmore girls’ soccer team. Randleman moved to 8-0 with some dominating baseball results. The Tigers have outscored opponents by a combined 87-7 score. Providence Grove has had similar success in softball. The Patriots rolled to 8-0 with a cumulative margin of 80-3. Providence…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Emma Mazzarone

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Emma Mazzarone

Emma Mazzarone  |  Providence Grove, softball Mazzarone dominated in three games, notching the pitching victory in each of those games for Providence Grove. She was extremely productive at the plate as well. It began in a 10-0 whipping of host Jordan-Matthews, when the left-handed pitcher struck out 14 batters for her second no-hitter in a row. She ripped two triples in that game. In a 5-1 non-league victory against Chatham Central, Mazzarone fanned 17 from the circle. At the plate, she homered. She capped the week with nine strikeouts in three perfect innings of a 15-0 pounding of visiting Trinity…
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Caraway creates program to lure driver commitments

Caraway creates program to lure driver commitments

SOPHIA — Caraway Speedway is putting together a program to reward drivers for their loyalty. It’s called “Caraway Strong” and the intent is to provide a more stable group of entrants for the speedway. “We’re starting to get the response,” general manager Darren Hackett said. “I think we’re going to be OK.” The speedway’s regular racing series begins with Sunday’s opening races in seven divisions. This is the 57th season for the track. To be part of the “Caraway Strong” program, drivers agree to compete in every points-paying event for their division across the course of the season. The incentive…
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Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference

Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference

Here’s a list of the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s major award winners and all-conference selections for winter sports: Boys’ basketball Player of the Year: Zane Caudle (Providence Grove) Coach of the Year: Wes Luther (Providence Grove) ALL-CONFERENCE Providence Grove: Zane Caudle, Michael Fee, Chase Whitaker. Trinity: Brandon Campbell, Trace Moffitt, Dominic Payne. Uwharrie Charter Academy: Dawson Dunn, Pierce Leonard, Ashton Troutman. Randleman: Lucas Gnieting, Dylan Wheatley. Southwestern Randolph: Sean Adkins, Nathan Ellis, Landon Williamson. Wheatmore: Adam Harrison. Girls’ basketball Player of the Year: Gracyn Hall (Randleman) Coach of the Year: Brandon Varner (Randleman) ALL-CONFERENCE Randleman: Gracyn Hall, Audra Petty, Elizabeth York.…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Brooks Brannon

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Brooks Brannon

Brooks Brannon  |  Randleman, baseball Brannon had two big games at the plate as the Tigers opened Piedmont Athletic Conference play with a pair of victories against Eastern Randolph. They had posted a non-league win against North Davidson on a neutral field. Brannon, a senior catcher, drove in 12 runs in two games against Eastern Randolph. In a 13-0 victory, he racked up three hits with a double and a triple and four runs batted in. He was behind the plate as Ryan White, Seth Way and Austin Lemmons combined on a non-hitter with 11 strikeouts. Later in the week,…
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Randleman girls will seek more after deep run

Randleman girls will seek more after deep run

Randleman’s Audra Petty shoots a 3-pointer against Shelby during the Class 1-A West Regional semifinals March 1 at Randleman. RANDLEMAN – Another deep run into the state playoffs for the Randleman girls’ basketball team might just be incentive to take it another round or two next time. “We’ll be back,” coach Brandon Varner said. “We’re close. We’ve just got to keep getting after it, building toward next year. We’ll be back.” The Tigers finished the season with a 25-1 record, with the only loss coming in the Class 2-A regional semifinals. When defending state champion Shelby knocked off host Randleman…
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Prep Notes: Providence Grove softball coach nabs milestone in opening game

Prep Notes: Providence Grove softball coach nabs milestone in opening game

Eastern Randolph’s Brody Gardner hits a double against visiting North Moore in a baseball game Friday. North Moore won 11-8.   Providence Grove softball coach Tim Brown picked up his 100th career victory when the Patriots defeated host Southern Guilford 14-0 to open the season last week. Assistant coach Andy Beane has been there for each of those victories. Makayla McClain, who homered twice in that game, scored four runs for Providence Grove. Mailey Way, who hit two doubles, drove in five runs. Emma Mazzarone pitched the shutout in the game reduced to five innings. Best of seven Two track…
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Asheboro names scoreboard after former softball coach

Asheboro names scoreboard after former softball coach

Carol McCauley, left, and assistant coach Kristen Faircloth help unveil of the new softball field scoreboard in memory of former coach Lisa Robertson at Asheboro High School on March 2. ASHEBORO – Asheboro High School has a new scoreboard at its softball field named after former coach Lisa Robertson. The dedication ceremony took place last week prior to this season’s home opener. “She left an indelible mark on not just coaches and staff, but also look at all the people around here,” athletics director Steve Luck said after the ceremony. “Former players are bringing their kids back to see the…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Macie Crutchfield

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Macie Crutchfield

Macie Crutchfield  |  Southwestern Randolph, softball Crutchfield began her career by pitching a shutout and she added to that list of early accomplishments later in the week. Crutchfield, a freshman, threw a one-hitter with five strikeouts and one walk when the Cougars blanked host Oak Grove 3-0 in their first game of the season. Later in the week, she struck out 15 batters in a 7-0 defeat of visiting Central Davidson. Crutchfield gave up five hits and three walks in her second outing in the circle. On offense in that game, Maddie Varner and Madeline Smith both drove in two…
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