Southwestern Randolph

Softball teams ousted in fourth round

Softball teams ousted in fourth round

Jayla Ferguson scores for Uwharrie Charter Academy in a softball victory against North Stokes in the third round of the Class 1-A state playoffs. (Scott Pelkey/Randolph Record)   All in one night, the dreams of state championships for three Randolph County softball teams were dashed. They all had reached West Regional semifinals, but then Southwestern Randolph, Eastern Randolph and Uwharrie Charter Academy went down Friday night. Class 2-A At Asheboro, West Wilkes knocked off host Southwestern Randolph 2-1 in 10 innings. Leah Greene’s sacrifice fly in the 10th inning for third-seeded West Wilkes was the difference. Second-seeded Southwestern Randolph (22-2)…
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Southwestern Randolph grad Gainey picked for Caldwell Fellows

Southwestern Randolph grad Gainey picked for Caldwell Fellows

RALEIGH – Kaitlyn Gainey of Asheboro is one of 30 first-year North Carolina State students selected as part of the Caldwell Fellows at the university. Gainey is a graduate of Southwestern Randolph. Caldwell Fellows are selected for demonstrating an aptitude for servant-leadership development. Students selected for the Caldwell Fellows program undergo intensive leadership development programming that includes a sophomore seminar on their personal philosophy of leadership and a capstone training at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro. “Each year we embark on the challenge of identifying first-year NC State committed to developing their leadership and serving in North Carolina and…
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Prep softball: Patriots go through process in new season

Prep softball: Patriots go through process in new season

Providence Grove’s Leela Von Der Hay tags out Southwestern Randolph’s Madison Varner. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) CLIMAX – Some growing pains are going to be part of the process for Providence Grove’s softball team this season. That’s fine with coach Tim Brown as long as the Patriots show progress. Providence Grove was undefeated in the regular season last year, but five starters are gone from that team. “Comparing everything to last year would be difficult for everybody,” senior pitcher Emma Mazzarone said. “It was a special team. This year could be special, too. You can’t compare to last year because it…
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Randleman girls set high bar in PAC

Randleman girls set high bar in PAC

Randleman’s Elizabeth York looks to go up for a shot against Eastern Randolph’s Logan Beaver. (Scott Pelkey/Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – Staying atop the Piedmont Athletic Conference has been a challenge for the Randleman girls’ basketball team. The Tigers have passed the test and that’s one of the rewarding aspects of another stellar season. “Right now, everybody is bringing their ‘A’ game against us, but that’s OK,” coach Brandon Varner said. Randleman withstood threats from Eastern Randolph and Southwestern Randolph during the past week. But it has turned out to be another title season for the Tigers, who are 9-0 in…
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Prep Roundup: Eastern Randolph boys keep rolling; Baxter hits milestone win with SWR

Prep Roundup: Eastern Randolph boys keep rolling; Baxter hits milestone win with SWR

Asheboro’s Elijah Woodley locks in defensively on North Davidson’s Payton Eccles during last week’s game at the Asheboro Recreation Center. In the background, Asheboro’s Jerquarius Stanback keeps tabs on Caiden Bean. (Scott Pelkey/Randolph Record).   With three players scoring 20 or more points, Eastern Randolph came away with a 95-77 road victory against Trinity in boys’ basketball last week. Pierce Leonard led the Wildcats with 29 points, Nicah Taylor scored 27 and Davonte Brooks had 20. Those offset Dominic Payne’s 37 points for Trinity. Teammate Dylan Hodges had 22. The Wildcats followed that by pounding visiting Providence Grove 93-60 to…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Caressa King

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Caressa King

Southwestern Randolph  | girls’ basketball King was a key contributor to a pair of victories last week for the Cougars. The junior guard put up 16 points in Southwestern Randolph’s 67-15 non-conference home victory against Jordan-Matthews. King scored 17 points when the Cougars opened their Piedmont Athletic Conference schedule with a 53-45 victory at Trinity. She also had eight points in a 50-40 road loss to North Davidson.
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Prep volleyball: Cougars’ bid for repeat dashed

Prep volleyball: Cougars’ bid for repeat dashed

Southwestern Randolph’s Madelyn Smith makes a play near the net against Brevard. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – There’s no repeat for Southwestern Randolph’s volleyball team in the Class 2-A state playoffs. The defending state champion Cougars were eliminated in the fourth round with Saturday’s 21-25, 25-923-25, 25-17, 21-19 home loss to Brevard. The Cougars, who were seeded second in the West Region, finished the season with a 26-4 record. Brevard advanced with a 23-5 record. Madelyn Smith had 13 kills and Riley Key added 10 kills in the last match for Southwestern Randolph. Raegan Leroy added 26 assists and Carleigh…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Julie Johnston

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Julie Johnston

Southwestern Randolph  |  volleyball As the Cougars try to repeat as Class 2-A state champions, underclassmen are playing key roles. But Johnston is among the seniors on the roster. Last week, the Cougars won three matches. They took down Providence Grove in a sweep and then won a five-set match against Randleman to capture the Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament.  Then on Saturday, the Cougars won against East Surry in the first round of the state playoffs. Johnston is a setter and outside hitter.
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Prep volleyball: Defending champ SWR starts strong in states; Randleman, UCA also roll

Prep volleyball: Defending champ SWR starts strong in states; Randleman, UCA also roll

Randleman’s Gabi Carter, left, and Mollie Hall defend at the net in the Class 2-A first-round matchup against visiting Bandys on Saturday. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Southwestern Randolph had a strong showing to begin defense of its Class 2-A state championship in volleyball. The Cougars, who are the No. 2 seed in the West Region, opened the playoffs by defeating visiting Surry Central 25-9, 25-13, 25-11 on Saturday. Madelyn Smith provided 13 kills and nine digs, Riley Key had 10 kills, Raegan LeRoy provided 30 assists and Carleigh Whitston made 10 digs to go with four aces for Southwestern Randolph (24-3).…
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Madelyn Smith

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Madelyn Smith

 Southwestern Randolph  |  volleyball   Smith helped Southwestern Randolph to two more Piedmont Athletic Conference victories last week, including in a showdown with Uwharrie Charter Academy. She supplied 20 kills, 14 digs, and three blocks in the four-set victory at UCA in a rematch of last year’s conference tournament final. Others to turn in big numbers for the Cougars in that match were Gracie Hodgin, Riley Key, Raegan LeRoy, Coley Shiflet, and Carleigh Whitson. Smith, a junior outside hitter, had ten kills and seven digs in a three-set sweep of Providence Grove later in the week. The Cougars, who are…
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