Asheboro Blue Comets - Randolph Record

31 Jan

UCA, Trinity hold top seeds for state duals; Eastern Randolph, Wheatmore, Asheboro also qualify

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, class 1-A, Class 2-A, Class 3-A, Cliff Thompson, Dominic Hittepole, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, nchsaa, prep wrestling, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Brennan Worrell, top, works against Avery County’s King Orvosh in a 120-pound match last year in the Class 1A dual team state finals. (Randolph Record) Uwharrie Charter Academy and Trinity wrestling teams will begin their quests to repeat as dual team state champions with home meets Saturday. UCA, the top seed in Class 1A East Region and the Piedmont Athletic Conference champion, is home against Lakewood. The winner meets either Union Academy or Albemarle in the second round. Trinity begins Class 2A competition as the top seed in the West Region, facing Brevard and then, if it…

29 Jan

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Osiris Rodriguez

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, athlete of the week, Mid-Piedmont Conference, Osiris Rodriguez, Prep Basketball

Asheboro, boys’ basketball Rodriguez has been a multi-season key contributor for the Blue Comets. The senior forward is often the team’s top scorer and a major force on the boards as well. He’s average more than 14 points per game and is also Asheboro’s leader in rebounding. Rodriguez had 16 points when the Blue Comets defeated Montgomery Central in last week’s Mid-Piedmont Conference game. The Blue Comets are aiming for a seventh consecutive season with a .500 or better record. They began this week at 10-6. *** *** Photo: Osiris Rodriguez makes a big impact in the lane. (PJ Ward-Brown /…

27 Jan

Prep boys: Providence Grove scrambles PAC race by topping UCA

Randolph RecordSportsAndrew Thomas, Asheboro Blue Comets, Eli Johnson, Osiris Rodriguez, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, Providence Grove, Randleman Tigers, Tyshaun Goldston, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Will Dabbs

ASHEBORO — Will Dabbs scored 30 points and the Providence Grove boys’ basketball team disrupted the pecking order in the Piedmont Athletic Conference by winning 63-50 at Uwharrie Charter Academy on Friday night. Andrew Thomas notched 13 points as Patriots knocked UCA out of a share of first place in a crowded PAC race. Providence Grove enters this week in a third-place tie with UCA (at 4-2) behind Randleman (5-1) and Eastern Randolph (4-1). Tuesday’s docket shows Eastern Randolph going to Randleman in a game to determine the league leader with about two weeks remaining. Teams also have make-up games…

24 Jan

Area schools don’t shift in second NCHSAA league draft

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, nchsaa, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, Randolph County School System, realignment, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Stephen Gainey, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

There were no changes involving Randolph County schools in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s second draft of conference alignments. That revised draft was released this week. “What I gather is our schools are pretty happy where they are,” said Stephen Gainey, superintendent of the Randolph County School System. RCSS has six high schools as part of the NCHSAA. Gainey began a term as NCHSAA president last summer, so has a keen eye on the topic. Appeals and comments from schools regarding the conference make-ups are due Tuesday. The realignment committee is scheduled to meet again Feb. 3-4. “A…

14 Jan

It’s hard to pin down new Asheboro wrestling coach

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Braxton Walker, Cliff Thompson, Gavin Hardister, prep wrestling, Wes Berrier

Asheboro wrestling coach Cliff Thompson, left, shares a laugh with assistant coach Scott Bainville at a recent meet. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Cliff Thompson has coached an assortment of area wrestlers in and around Randolph County. So in his role as first-year Asheboro coach, he’s familiar with just about anyone he comes across on the mats. He has been questioned by his wrestlers: “Why everybody talk to you?” It’s because Thompson is well-known in wrestling circles. He said he’s glad he has landed with the Blue Comets. Thompson, a 1998 Randleman graduate, won a state championship as…

10 Jan

Schools in Randolph County react to NCHSAA league proposals

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Chris Chapman, Chris Waddell, Cody Moran, Corey Phillips, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, nchsaa, piedmont athletic conference, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, realignment, Robert Mitchell, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wes Berrier, Wheatmore Warriors

ASHEBORO – The proposed conference make-ups for the next North Carolina High School Athletic Association realignment look good to officials from most Randolph County schools. That’s not to say adjustments won’t be sought from some schools, including Southwestern Randolph. “We’re researching some things,” athletics director Chris Chapman said. The new league lineups come as the NCHSAA expands from four to eight classifications beginning in the summer to begin a four-year cycle. The initial draft of conferences was unveiled in December. Schools have until Jan. 21 to appeal for changes. “I think the state did a real good job of thinking…

07 Jan

Asheboro Blue Comets look toward conference basketball challenges

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Brian Nance, Mid-Piedmont Conference, Osiris Rodriguez, Prep Basketball

Asheboro’s Elijah Woodle goes up for a shot against Chatham Central as teammate Osiris Rodriguez looks on during action in last month’s holiday tournament. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – The beginning of play in the Mid-Piedmont Conference gives the Asheboro boys’ basketball team something fresh to experience. The Blue Comets are looking for another strong effort in league competition. With a 9-3 overall record, there’s plenty to be excited about. “We just want to win,” forward Zak Blackwell said. “We put in all the work.” Veteran coach Brian Nance’s team won nine of its first 10 games. So…

05 Jan

Prep basketball roundup: Eastern Randolph’s late surge tops Asheboro boys

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Laurel Bernhardt, Osiris Rodriguez, Prep Basketball, Providence Grove Patriots, Timothy Brower, Wheatmore Warriors

RAMSEUR – Timothy Brower scored 22 points and Eastern Randolph pulled out a 66-50 victory against visiting Asheboro in Friday night’s non-conference boys’ basketball game. The Wildcats posted 20 of the game’s last 24 points. Tyler Gee scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and Camden Jones finished with 16 points. For Asheboro, Jewel Barrett-Riggins had 14 points and Osiris Rodriguez notched 10 points. In the girls’ game, Eastern Randolph won 47-32 as Raegan Beaver’s 14 points and Cora Sparrow’s 13 points led the way. ** Southwestern Randolph swept road games at Chatham Central on Friday night.…

30 Dec

Randleman Tigers build more momentum, take boys’ title in holiday tourney

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Brayden Chapman, Chase Farlow, holiday tournament, Jireh Price, Osiris Rodriguez, Prep Basketball, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Tyshaun Goldston

Randleman’s Tyshaun Goldston goes up for a shot as Asheboro’s Jalial Timmons, left, applies pressure and Randleman’s Chase Farlow and Asheboro’s Zak Blackwell look on. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – As the good times keep rolling for Randleman’s boys’ basketball team, it’s what the Tigers expect. “I’m not really surprised,” senior Tyshaun Goldston said. “We could play a little better, but we should be in the spot we’re in.” After winning last week’s SportsTone.net Christmas Invitational, Randleman has made it almost halfway through the regular season without a loss. “It’s a talented group, a bunch of seniors and…

29 Dec

Southwestern Randolph girls keep adding to special season by winning holiday tournament

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, holiday tournament, Macy Allred, Maddie Strider, Prep Basketball, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs

Southwestern Randolph’s Macy Allred drives against Randleman’s Kadie Green with Cougars coach Seth Baxter looking on during the SportsTone.net Christmas Invitational championship game Saturday night at Asheboro. Southwestern Randolph won to remain undefeated. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – What’s shaping up as a special season for Southwestern Randolph’s girls’ basketball team became even better in the SportsTone.net Christmas Invitational. The Cougars handled three opponents to remain undefeated. “We just enjoy playing with each other,” guard Maddie Strider said. Southwestern Randolph capped the tournament by defeating Piedmont Athletic Conference rival Randleman 42-30 on Saturday night. Strider’s 14 points and…