piedmont athletic conference - Randolph Record

28 Sep

With league play starting, it’s time to sort through possibilities in Randolph County prep football

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Mid-Piedmont Conference, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Wheatmore Warriors

Randleman’s Micah Thurston, here carrying the ball against Union Pines, has scored three touchdowns this season. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) It’s conference time for football teams from Randolph County and there are numerous similarities to recent seasons. Eastern Randolph goes for its third consecutive PAC championship. The Wildcats’ biggest challenge might come from Randleman. Those teams conveniently meet in the regular-season finale Oct. 27 at Randleman. There’s plenty to sort through prior to that potential showdown. Just like last year, the Wildcats are riding a four-game winning streak with a 4-1 mark entering league play. Randleman was last year’s PAC runner-up,…

27 Sep

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Sarabeth Johnson

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, piedmont athletic conference, Prep volleyball, Sarabeth Johnson, Trinity athletics, Trinity Bulldogs

Trinity, volleyball Johnson has been a steady contributor for the Bulldogs during her senior season. Trinity carried a six-match winning streak into action this week. In last week’s five-set conquering of Eastern Randolph, Johnson provided 18 digs, 17 kills and four aces. Johnson, a captain who’s listed as an outside hitter and a setter, rates in the top two on the team in kills, digs and service aces. She received all-PAC recognition in the spring as a jumper for Trinity’s track and field team.

25 Sep

Prep Roundup: Randleman Tigers take off on soccer rise; Cougars win volleyball showdown

Randolph RecordSportspiedmont athletic conference, prep soccer, Prep volleyball, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Zach Hazelwood

Randleman’s Chris Lopez (No. 7) and teammates Christian Lopez, left, Chris Ayala and Francisco Vences celebrate a goal against Southwestern Randolph last week. Kevin Garcia of the Cougars looks on. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Randleman showed that it’s ready to be a force in Piedmont Athletic Conference boys’ soccer. The Tigers did that in a big way. First, they knocked off visiting Southwestern Randolph, which had put together a strong non-conference résumé. They then ripped through Uwharrie Charter Academy for an 8-2 road victory at Zoo City Sportsplex. So less than halfway through the PAC schedule, Randleman was the lone team…

05 Sep

UCA moves soccer games to new sportsplex

Bob SuttonSportsChris Waddell, piedmont athletic conference, prep soccer, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics, Zoo City Sportsplex

ASHEBORO – Uwharrie Charter Academy’s new home for soccer games is the recently opened Zoo City Sportsplex. “We’ve worked with the City of Asheboro on this,” UCA athletics director Chris Waddell said. “It shows volumes the partnerships we’ve been able to create with the city and in Randolph County. Putting this together was a group effort.” The Eagles’ first game at their new home venue comes with Friday night’s boys’ soccer meeting with Woods Charter. Regular home game times will be 6 p.m. The site is less than a 10-minute drive from UCA’s main campus. The UCA girls’ soccer team,…

03 Sep

Prep Roundup: Randleman, Southwestern Randolph click in volleyball

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, piedmont athletic conference, prep soccer, Prep volleyball, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs

Southwestern Randolph’s Molly Smith sets the ball as teammates Jade Matias (No. 11) and Kenleigh Fearnside (No. 17) prepare to make their moves during a match at Asheboro. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Randleman and Southwestern Randolph shaped up as two of the best volleyball teams in the area heading into a Piedmont Athletic Conference clash this week. Randleman won home matches last week against Ledford and Eastern Randolph and then won at Wheatmore – all with sweeps. Southwestern Randolph swept host Providence Grove and visiting Trinity to stretch its winning streak to four matches. In those matches for Randleman, Camden…

29 Aug

Trinity’s football team adjusts with Payne taking new role

Bob SuttonSportsBear Bradley, Brandon Campbell, Dominic Payne, Noah Bradley, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Trinity athletics, Trinity Bulldogs

Dominic Payne continues to play a key role for Trinity's football team. (Bob Sutton/Randolph Record) TRINITY – When Bear Bradley became Trinity’s football coach in the spring, he had lots of area to address. At or near the top the list was meeting with Dominic Payne. “He was one of the first student-athletes I wanted to talk to,” Bradley said. “I said to him, ‘Where do you see yourself best?’ ” Payne had been the Bulldogs’ quarterback the past two seasons, earning All-Piedmont Athletic Conference honors as a sophomore. Now he’s two games into his senior season and playing…

10 Aug

Widespread success reshapes Eastern Randolph’s reputation

Bob SuttonSportsDevonte Brooks, Eastern Randolph athletics, Foster Cates, piedmont athletic conference, Prep baseball, Prep Basketball, prep football

Among the thrills for Eastern Randolph during the past school year came following a road victory against South Stokes in the boys’ basketball state playoffs as coach Johnny Thomas and the team celebrate. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RAMSEUR – Eastern Randolph had a different kind of school year in 2022-23. For athletics director Foster Cates, the perception of athletics at the school might be changing. That’s because the Wildcats advanced to the Class 1-A state championship game in boys’ basketball. That had never happened before. “It has been such a football and baseball dominant school forever,” Cates said. “I wanted…

09 Aug

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Kahlin Graham

Randolph RecordBusiness, SportsEastern Randolph athletics, Eastern Randolph baseball, Kahlin Graham, piedmont athletic conference, Prep baseball

Eastern Randolph, baseball Graham played a variety of positions for the Wildcats, often in the infield as the third baseman. He also was listed as a pitcher. The Wildcats reached the Class 1-A West Region finals before falling to eventual state champion Uwharrie Charter Academy. Graham is set to continue playing baseball at Guilford College. ** During the summer, we recognize seniors from the past school year.

08 Aug

Providence Grove finds next girls’ coach

Bob SuttonSportsDylan Eppley, Johnathan Gainey, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, Providence Grove athletics

CLIMAX – Providence Grove moved quickly this summer to hire a new girls’ basketball coach. Johnathan Gainey is the new coach, filling the vacancy caused by the departure of Dylan Eppley. Gainey previously coached girls’ teams at Winston-Salem Prep and Winston-Salem Reynolds. He also was the boys’ basketball coach at his alma mater, Kernersville Glenn. Eppley left Providence Grove after three seasons to become the boys’ basketball coach at Southern Alamance. “I felt like this was a move that I needed,” Eppley said of a chance to expand his professional experiences. Eppley’s Providence Grove teams had a 26-37 record, including…

02 Aug

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Zane Cheek

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, high school sports, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, prep sports, prep track and field, Providence Grove athletics, Providence Grove football, randolph county sports

Providence Grove, multi-sport Cheek was active in each of the sports seasons, beginning as a multi-purpose back for the football team. He averaged more than 90 rushing yards per game as a senior in 2022. He again was selected as an All-Piedmont Athletic Conference player. He was one of Providence Grove’s key players in boys’ basketball as a guard. He wrapped up his prep career as a sprinter on the track and field team. His twin brother, Zander Cheek, also was a standout athlete for the Patriots. ** During the summer, we recognize seniors from the past school year.