Prep Basketball

Providence Grove finds next girls’ coach

Providence Grove finds next girls’ coach

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…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Zane Cheek

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Zane Cheek

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.
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Wheatmore’s new basketball coach familiar with rivalries

Wheatmore’s new basketball coach familiar with rivalries

Craig Shoemaker is Wheatmore’s new boys’ basketball coach. (Courtesy photo) TRINITY – The more Craig Shoemaker learned about Wheatmore’s boys’ basketball program, the more he became interested in becoming the next coach. So he accepted the job and he’ll try another rebuilding project. “I was looking for a job,” Shoemaker said. “I didn’t know too much about Wheatmore. Seemed like they want someone to build it. I was very impressed by what I heard and saw.” Shoemaker had huge success during several seasons in 13 years at Ragsdale and more recently coached at Leadership Academy in Kernersville. Last season, the…
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Randleman keeps it close to home with new girls’ coach

Randleman keeps it close to home with new girls’ coach

Steven Rightmyer was named coach of the Randleman girls’ basketball team. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – The next step in Steven Rightmyer’s coaching ventures takes him to something different, but he’s also familiar with much of what’s involved in Randleman’s girls’ basketball program. He was named the next coach of the Tigers, who’ve been a power the past few years. “I always wanted to be a varsity coach,” Rightmyer said. “It’s a chance to step outside and try a new challenge.” That’s because Rightmyer has mostly been involved in coaching boys’ sports. He moves from his role as boys’ basketball…
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Snotherly’s stellar career comes with skills, desire

Snotherly’s stellar career comes with skills, desire

Brecken Snotherly had a wide array of ways to score with Eastern Randolph’s girls’ basketball team. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Eastern Randolph senior relishes sports journey RAMSEUR – Brecken Snotherly’s path has taken a few turns during high school, but generally the Eastern Randolph standout athlete has reached her destinations. She put the basketball in the hoop at an alarmingly successful rate and she knows her way around running courses as well. Basketball became her passion and she’ll continue in that sport for East Tennessee State. “Basketball is my main thing,” she said. “I’ve been playing basketball since kindergarten. I just…
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Varner leaves post as Randleman girls’ coach

Varner leaves post as Randleman girls’ coach

Coach Brandon Varner had Randleman’s girls’ basketball team on a winning path. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – Brandon Varner’s wildly successful five-season stretch as Randleman’s girls’ basketball coach has come to an end. “Just time to step away,” Varner said. “The biggest thing was the time I was putting into basketball. There’s really no breaks.” Under Varner, the Tigers went 103-20, with half those defeats coming in his first season when the team went 15-10. Varner, 40, will remain as athletics director at Randleman Middle School, where he also is on the football staff. “It was just getting to be…
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Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference lists for winter sports

Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference lists for winter sports

Eastern Randolph’s Brecken Snotherly goes up for a shot vs. Wheatmore during the past season. Snotherly was named the Player of the Year in Piedmont Athletic Conference girls’ basketball. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) 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: Dominic Payne (Trinity) Coach of the Year: Matt Kiser (Southwestern Randolph) All-Conference Eastern Randolph: Davonte Brooks, Timothy Brower, Pierce Leonard, Nicah Taylor Southwestern Randolph: Sean Adkins, Nathan Ellis, Thomas Leal, Landon Williamson. Trinity: Brandon Campbell, Dylan Hodges, Dominic Payne. Randleman: Tyshaun Goldston, Greg Price. Uwharrie Charter Academy: Ashton Troutman. Providence…
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A day filled with memories: Scenes from the Class 1-A title game

A day filled with memories: Scenes from the Class 1-A title game

Members of the Eastern Randolph team pose for a team photo after the championship game. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RALEIGH – Saturday was a special day for Eastern Randolph as the Wildcats played in a state championship in basketball for the first time. The result was a loss to Wilson Prep in the Class 1-A boys’ final at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh. Still, there were memorable moments as the team’s historic season came to a close.     The season concluded with a 29-3 record and plenty of positive memories for the Piedmont Athletic Conference and Class 1-A West Region champions.
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NOT QUITE ENOUGH: Eastern Randolph boys fall in 1-A state final

NOT QUITE ENOUGH: Eastern Randolph boys fall in 1-A state final

Eastern Randolph coach Johnny Thomas consoles Devonte Brooks, left, as Will Stalker looks on after the Class 1-A state final. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RALEIGH – The greatest basketball season in the history of Eastern Randolph had a sour ending. The Wildcats needed one more comeback and couldn’t quite generate it, falling 84-73 to Wilson Prep in the Class 1-A state championship game for boys' basketball Saturday afternoon at Reynolds Coliseum. “These boys have dedicated everything they possibly could to the sport of basketball the last four months,” Eastern Randolph coach Johnny Thomas said. “We have nothing to be sad over.”…
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Ex-Globetrotters guide Eastern Randolph, Wilson Prep to Class 1-A state final

Ex-Globetrotters guide Eastern Randolph, Wilson Prep to Class 1-A state final

Coach Johnny Thomas has his Eastern Randolph team in the Class 1-A state final. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) The coaches for the two teams in the Class 1-A state championship game for boys’ basketball own a common background. Johnny Thomas of Eastern Randolph and Anthony Atkinson Jr. of Wilson Prep both played for the Harlem Globetrotters. Eastern Randolph is going for the school’s first state championship in basketball when it plays Wilson Prep on Saturday afternoon. The state final is scheduled for noon at Reynolds Coliseum on the North Carolina State campus in Raleigh. The only previous appearance in a state…
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