piedmont athletic conference

Troutman transfers out of UCA

Troutman transfers out of UCA

Basketball standout heads to private school for senior season BURLINGTON — One of the most highly recruited boys’ basketball players in Randolph County in the upcoming senior class will no longer will be playing for a school in the county. Ashton Troutman is transferring from Uwharrie Charter Academy to The Burlington School. He said he’s looking for more exposure and a higher level of competition. “Just being in a basketball environment and for a good team,” Troutman said. “I would have never flirted with the idea of leaving if it wasn’t for basketball.” Troutman, a 6-foot-7½, 205-pound post player, was…
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Good hands man for all seasons: Providence Grove’s Thomas makes positive impact

Good hands man for all seasons: Providence Grove’s Thomas makes positive impact

Luke Thomas fires a pitch from the mound this spring. He's planning to play college baseball. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) CLIMAX – Whatever the sport at Providence Grove, Luke Thomas had the ball in his hands. Those were good hands for the Patriots. “I like being in control of the game. I don’t like leaning on other players,” Thomas said. “I like being the make-or-break type of guy.” Thomas helped make Providence Grove relevant on just about every level during a high school career that turned out unmatched. “A fixture not only in the football program but a fixture in the…
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Baseball coach Smith adds Randleman’s AD title

Baseball coach Smith adds Randleman’s AD title

Jake Smith has led Randleman to back-to-back state championships in baseball and is taking on additional duties. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)   State-champion baseball coach expands role at school RANDLEMAN – Randleman baseball coach Jake Smith has a new job, but he’s not going anywhere because of it. Smith, who has directed the Tigers to the past two Class 2-A state championships, is adding the athletics director title to his duties. “I’m going to try my hand at that a little bit,” Smith said. “It’s something I’m excited about.” He takes over for Ryan Dobias, who’s stepping aside from that role…
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Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference

Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference

Randleman's Kylie Vaughan throws the shot put during the Class 2-A state championships last month. (PJ Ward-Brown/ Randolph Record) Here’s a list of the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s major award winners and all-conference selections for spring sports: Baseball Co-Players of the Year: Brooks Brannon (Randleman), Braylen Hayes (Randleman Pitcher of the Year: Ryan White (Randleman) Coach of the Year: Jake Smith (Randleman) All-conference Randleman: Hunter Atkins, Brooks Brannon, Braylen Hayes, Drake Purvis, Bryson Sweatt, Trey Way, Ryan White Trinity: Cade Hill, Jake Little, Landon Mosley, Landon Mowery, Siler Parrish Southwestern Randolph: Adam Cole, Tyler Parks Wheatmore: Rylan Smith. Providence Grove: Zander…
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Tigers blank Patriots twice as Randleman closes in on outright PAC title

Tigers blank Patriots twice as Randleman closes in on outright PAC title

Randleman’s Hunter Atkins drills the ball during a game against Southwestern Randolph in Piedmont Athletic Conference action last month at Randleman. CLIMAX — Randleman’s baseball team was close to perfect in a couple of ways during a pair of Piedmont Athletic Conference shutouts last week. Those results allowed the Tigers to clinch at least a share of the PAC regular-season championship. “We’ve been swinging it really well,” outfielder Braylen Hayes said. “Pitching is amazing.” Indeed, in Wednesday’s 10-0 victory at Providence Grove, Ryan White retired the first 17 batters he faced. So he had a perfect game until Brady Collins…
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Prep Notes: Races brew in PAC standings

Prep Notes: Races brew in PAC standings

Ethan Frye of Eastern Randolph takes a swing during a baseball game last week against Uwharrie Charter Academy. With schools in the Piedmont Athletic Conference on spring break this week, the schedules are limited in many sports. It’s also a good time to check on some key remaining matchups. For instance, Wheatmore and Uwharrie Charter Academy are unbeaten in PAC girls’ soccer games. Those teams will meet April 22 in what is bound to be a critical clash, though there will be a rematch May 10. In softball, undefeated Providence Grove has defeated second-place Southwestern Randolph twice. The only remaining…
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Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference

Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference

Here’s a list of the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s major award winners and all-conference selections for winter sports: Boys’ basketball Player of the Year: Zane Caudle (Providence Grove) Coach of the Year: Wes Luther (Providence Grove) ALL-CONFERENCE Providence Grove: Zane Caudle, Michael Fee, Chase Whitaker. Trinity: Brandon Campbell, Trace Moffitt, Dominic Payne. Uwharrie Charter Academy: Dawson Dunn, Pierce Leonard, Ashton Troutman. Randleman: Lucas Gnieting, Dylan Wheatley. Southwestern Randolph: Sean Adkins, Nathan Ellis, Landon Williamson. Wheatmore: Adam Harrison. Girls’ basketball Player of the Year: Gracyn Hall (Randleman) Coach of the Year: Brandon Varner (Randleman) ALL-CONFERENCE Randleman: Gracyn Hall, Audra Petty, Elizabeth York.…
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UCA gives strong battle, falls in 1-A final

UCA gives strong battle, falls in 1-A final

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Grayson Roberts works for a takedown against Avery County’s Bradley Parker at 160 pounds Saturday. GREENSBORO – Uwharrie Charter Academy came within a couple of matches of claiming a state championship in dual team wrestling. The Eagles rallied at times but ultimately came up short in a 39-30 loss to Avery County in the Class 1-A championship meet Saturday afternoon at the Fieldhouse at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. Avery County picked up its second straight state championship. For UCA, it was a memorable experience. “I thought the kids performed outside of their minds,” coach Chris Waddell said.…
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Patriots try to keep hold of PAC’s top spot

Patriots try to keep hold of PAC’s top spot

It safe to say that it’s heating up in Piedmont Athletic Conference boys’ basketball. Teams are chasing Providence Grove with a couple of weeks to play, but it’s clear the Patriots might not be in cruise control. “We’re banged up,” Providence Grove coach Wes Luther said. “Who can survive the longest? Hopefully, we’re going to keep grinding it out.” An example of the challenges that exist came with last week’s 55-52 escape at Southwestern Randolph. The Cougars made it difficult for much of the night on the first-place Patriots, who cranked up their defense at opportune times. “They turned up…
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Hall, Gentry reach big point totals

Hall, Gentry reach big point totals

The 1,000-point milestone is in the works for a couple of area girls’ basketball players. Gracyn Hall of Randleman reached that mark with a couple of strong games last week. Autumn Gentry of Trinity entered this week within range of 1,000. The Bulldogs are slated for a game Friday at Uwharrie Charter Academy and a make-up game Saturday at Southwestern Randolph. Hall and Gentry are juniors, so there could be plenty of time for their point totals to swell. Hall racked up 21 points and 13 rebounds in last week’s 51-34 victory at Trinity. The next night she eclipsed 1,000…
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