Sports - Randolph Record

26 Jul

Black snags two victories at Caraway

Randolph RecordSportsCaraway speedway, Late Models division, Late Models feature, Stock car racing, tony black

SOPHIA – Tony Black won twice in the Late Models division in feature races Saturday night at Caraway Speedway. Black finished ahead of runner-up Donnie Apple in both races. It was a racing card stocked with twin features. In 602 Modifieds, Carson Loftin won the first race and Cody Norman ended up second. The order among the top two spots was flipped in the second race, with Norman prevailing and Loftin taking second. In Mini Stocks, Jimmy Crigger was the winner of the first race. In the other race in the division, Rudy Hartley won at the track for the…

23 Jul

Post 45 falls in Area 3 final, but lessons could turn fruitful

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Area 3 playoffs, Newman Park, Randolph County Post 45, Rowan County, state tournament, Trey Way

SALISBURY – Something good might have come out of the Area 3 championship game for Randolph County Post 45, the losing part aside. “It’s just a reality check that we can lose,” left fielder Adam Cole said. Post 45 hadn’t been in a competitive game in more than three weeks, then didn’t execute well in numerous tight spots in Friday night’s game at Newman Park. Rowan County never trailed in a 6-4 decision. The outcome halted a 12-game winning streak, but there’s plenty still ahead for Randolph County. “It’s good for us to get the opportunity to see some of…

22 Jul

Walker returns to coach Southwestern Randolph in soccer

Bob SuttonSportsJimmy Walker, PAC, prep soccer, Southwestern Randolph

Founder of Cougars program is coach again ASHEBORO – Southwestern Randolph has a new soccer coach for its boys’ and girls’ teams. No introduction is necessary. Jimmy Walker is back in charge of the Cougars. The man who started the soccer programs at the school is returning for what’s a third go-around with the boys’ team and a second stint with the girls’ team. “I’m familiar with everyone over there,” Walker said. “I’ve always been connected. And this is a chance to coach my daughter now.” Walker, 53, takes over for boys’ coach Brian Bagley, who stepped aside because of…

21 Jul

Right on time: Post 45 hits stride

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, American Legion baseball, Area 3 playoffs, Braylen Hayes, Randolph County Post 45, Robert Garner, Ronnie Pugh, sports, Trey Way, Tyler Parks

Tanner Marsh has been a key factor as a shortstop and pitcher for Randolph County Post 45. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Randolph County roars into postseason on hot streak ASHEBORO — It took a little time for Randolph County Post 45 to figure it out. The timing, though, is ideal. The American Legion baseball team has been riding a hot streak that began with the second part of the regular season and has extended into the postseason. “We’re coming together as a team and understanding how to play with each other,” outfielder Adam Cole said. That tends to be the sentiment.…

21 Jul

Progress defines Post 81’s bounce back

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Area 3 playoffs, Eastern Randolph Post 81, Luke Thomas, Post 81

Eastern Randolph Post 81 catcher Parker Evans tags out Stanly County’s Chance Hunt during an Area 3 playoff game. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Eastern Randolph rediscovers winning ways in breakthrough season RAMSEUR – Aside from the awkward ending, Eastern Randolph Post 81 put together a season that could set the foundation for the American Legion baseball program. That would make this year’s efforts well worth it for a team that had endured some tough times in recent seasons. “Our main goal was we wanted to bring life back to 81 baseball,” said first-year head coach Nate Cockman. Consider that accomplished. “It’s…

20 Jul

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Zane Caudle

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, basketball, Golf, prep sports, Providence Grove, Zane Caudle

Providence Grove | boys’ basketball/golf Caudle excelled as a guard on the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s regular-season champion boys’ basketball team. That helped lead to a decision to play collegiately at Division III Brevard College. He averaged 15.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 3.3 steals for the Patriots. Caudle was the PAC Player of the Year. Caudle placed fifth in the PAC Tournament for golf. That landed him an all-conference spot in that sport as well.

19 Jul

Randleman alum Cooper heads to Liberty after leaving N.C. State

Bob SuttonSportsAppalachian League, Appalachian League All-Star Game, Atlantic Coast Conference, Burlington Sock Puppets, College baseball, Liberty Flames, N.C. State, North Carolina State baseball, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, Ryan McCrystal, summer college baseball, Trey Cooper

Trey Cooper has excelled with his college summer team and has selected a new college. (Bob Sutton/Randolph Record) Transfer has been stellar for summer team in Burlington BURLINGTON – Trey Cooper found a good summer gig and a new college home. The left-handed pitcher from Randleman is transferring to Liberty after two seasons in the North Carolina State program. “At the end of the day, I said I wanted to go somewhere I could play a lot,” Cooper said. “They wanted me to be a starter (at Liberty). Everything felt right.” Cooper has been a standout in the Appalachian League…

19 Jul

Trevor Marsh could join ZooKeepers for final stretch

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, summer college baseball, Trevor Marsh, UNCW

Trevor Marsh turned in a solid season last summer for Asheboro’s team in the CPL. He could be returning. (Randolph Record file photo) ASHEBORO – Trevor Marsh might be back with Asheboro’s Coastal Plain League baseball team after all. The former Asheboro High School standout hasn’t played this summer following surgery on his left hand’s index finger that caused his season to be cut short at UNC Wilmington. Marsh, an outfielder, said last week that he might join the Asheboro ZooKeepers for the final few games of the season if he’s given medical clearance. Last year, he played for the…

18 Jul

Randleman’s Brannon: ‘Feels like a dream’ after Red Sox select him in draft

Bob SuttonNews, SportsBaseball amateur draft, Boston Red Sox, Brooks Brannon, Class 2-A, College baseball, nchsaa, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, UNC Chapel Hill

Brooks Brannon had an award-winning high school career with Randleman. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – Catcher Brooks Brannon of Randleman was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the ninth round of baseball’s amateur draft Monday. “It felt like a dream come true,” Brannon said Monday night. “Excited isn’t even the word. It was ecstasy.” Brannon, 18, is enrolled at North Carolina, where he’ll play for the Tar Heels if he decides to pass on this pro opportunity. Brannon was selected with the 279th pick overall during the second day of the three-day draft that concludes Tuesday. In that spot,…

15 Jul

Loud, proud prep career for Brannon

Bob SuttonSportsbaseball, Boston Red Sox, Brooks Brannon, MLB draft, nchsaa, prep sports, Randleman, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball

Brooks Brannon had a record-setting high school season with some incredible power-hitting numbers. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Randleman catcher awaits draft after season filled with thrills RANDLEMAN — For all the noise Brooks Brannon can bring to a ballpark, it might be a level of calmness that helped him – and his teammates – most. Yet there could be more commotion connected to his baseball career this weekend when baseball’s amateur draft begins, and the Randleman catcher is bound to be among those selected. Whether he goes from high school to the pros – or chooses a route playing college baseball…