Prep Roundup: UCA boys win first under new coach

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Aaron Smith shoots over Woods Charter’s Levi Haygood. (Gene Galin/Randolph Record)

SUMMERFIELD – Preston Steele’s debut as boys’ basketball coach at Uwharrie Charter Academy went well.

The Eagles posted a 53-21 road victory at Bethany Community last Thursday. That was followed by Friday’s 66-34 triumph at Woods Charter.

UCA girls won their opener as well, prevailing 60-48 at Bethany Community behind Nevaeh Staples’ 17 points and Lainey Thomas’ 15 points. Next, the Eagles won 66-21 at Woods Charter with Staples scoring 16 points.

Boys’ soccer

Southwestern Randolph’s season ended with a 3-2 home loss to Lincoln Charter in the third round of the Class 2-A state playoffs last week.

The No. 12 seed Cougars never led, but never trailed by more than a goal.

David Lopez Dominguez and Fernando Hernandez scored the goals for Southwestern Randolph (21-4-1).

The game marked only the third time this season the Cougars allowed more than two goals in a game – and they lost each of those.

The No. 13 seed Eagles went to the fourth round for the second year in a row. But they lost last Thursday by 3-1 to top-seeded Black Mountain Owen.

Cross country

At Kernersville, Zach Hazelwood of Wheatmore had the best finish among Randolph County entrants in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s state meet Nov. 4.

Hazelwood placed 14th in the Class 2-A boys’ race at Ivey Redmond Sports Complex. His time was 17 minutes, 19.96 seconds.

In the Class 2-A girls’ race, Providence Grove teammates Laurel Bernhardt (27th, 21:43.08) and Jensen Auman (66th, 23:04.51) were in the upper half of the 132 entrants.

In Class 1-A, Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Victoria Jennings (57th, 23:05.29) and Jazmin Palma (92nd, 24:36.65) were in the girls’ race. UCA’s Chris White (68th, 18:36.33) was in the boys’ race.

By Randolph Record