Ex-conference rivals Randleman, Eastern Randolph aim to thrive with new vibe

Randleman’s Connor Cassidy looks to make a pass as Eastern Randolph’s Easton Garrett and Emmitt Frye, right, defend during last week’s game. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record)

RAMSEUR — Randleman and Eastern Randolph participated in high-intense showdowns in recent boys’ basketball seasons.

Now no longer in the same conference and the teams going through growing pains, it seemed a bit different when they met last week.

“I think it’s kind of obvious there’s not as much star power and not as many dunks,” Randleman senior guard Pacey Wagner said. “A completely different vibe.”

Yet there were a good share of highlights produced, particularly for Randleman, which captured a 69-56 road victory.

These teams tangled for Piedmont Athletic Conference supremacy in the past.

“It’s a different environment, but we got to come out with energy,” Randleman junior Trey Burnett said.

It’s mostly conference play for the remainder of the season – Randleman in the new PAC and Eastern Randolph in the Four Rivers Conference.

Eastern Randolph coach Johnny Thomas said there are differences in the rivalry with Randleman, but the matchups continue to hold value.

“The caliber of basketball in the area is a little bit down,” Thomas said. “You’re going to have your ups and downs and that’s what we’re going through. The vibe is a little different.”

The rivalry wasn’t built as much on proximity as it was on teams expecting to play at high levels, Randleman coach Daniel Mitchell said.

“It’s more of a respect thing,” Mitchell said. “It’s still intense because of respect.”

Mitchell said clashes between the teams have been unpredictable in many seasons when they were battling for top spots. He said the Tigers lost several times when they would have been considered favorites.

“It just happens, you have a run of talent,” Mitchell said. “We’re still a little better off.”

For Randleman, outings with Eastern Randolph will be the only post-December meetings with opponents from Randolph County. In the past four-year cycle, the entire PAC consisted of teams from the county.

“We don’t play them much any more,” Burnett said.

Without as much attention on their first meeting of the season, Randleman opened a 40-30 halftime lead by benefitting from 3-point shooting and fast breaks.

The Tigers stayed in control for most of the second half, building a 48-30 gap as Eastern Randolph went scoreless for nearly the first five minutes of the third quarter. Tyler Gee’s 3-pointer drew the Wildcats to within 58-48 in the fourth quarter before Burnett answered with a three-point play.

“It was a fast-paced game, but slower paced than past years,” Wagner said. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Burnett scored 15 points, Connor Cassidy posted 10 points and John Kirkpatrick had nine points for Randleman. Gee led Eastern Randolph with 20 points.

Gee is the only Wildcat with extensive experience in the Randleman/Eastern Randolph basketball rivalry. He was bothered by the result.

“We could have won,” he said.

Wagner said facing Eastern Randolph gave the Tigers a dose of something they’re used to.

As Randleman tries to figure out what’s going to work best, Mitchell went with near-wholesale substitution patterns using nine players.

“That felt much more comfortable,” he said.

Thomas said there’s still time for his team to rescue the season.

“We didn’t play great at all and we lose by 13 points,” he said. “We’re getting better, but it’s in spurts.”

There’s a rematch Jan. 22 at Randleman.