state playoffs - Randolph Record

07 Jun

Wheatmore Warriors wind up special soccer stretch

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, piedmont athletic conference, prep soccer, state playoffs, Wheatmore Warriors

Record careers end for girls' program TRINITY – Wheatmore came up shy of returning to the Class 2A state championship game in girls’ soccer after playing in the final the past two years. Yet the impact produced by the Warriors might be far reaching. “It has been a heckuva ride,” Wheatmore coach Rick Maness said. Wheatmore was the 2022 state champion and the 2023 runner-up. This year, the season ended in the West Region final. “I never dreamed of winning the states,” Maness said of the 2022 season. “This creates energy and people want a part of it.” That’s what…

03 Jun

Eagles soar to state baseball crown with stellar pitching

Randolph RecordSportsBrett Smith, Carter Brown, class 1-A, Jake Hunter, nchsaa, Prep baseball, Rob Shore, state playoffs, Ting Stadium, Trey Kennedy, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

The UCA baseball team collected another state championship banner. (NCHSAA photo) HOLLY SPRINGS – Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team won in different fashions in two games in the Class 1A state finals at Ting Stadium. But stellar pitching was one of the staples as the Eagles repeated as state champions. UCA pitcher Brett Smith kept Northside-Pinetown in check and the Eagles were boosted by Trey Kennedy’s go-ahead home run in a 6-1 victory Saturday afternoon against Northside-Pinetown, sweeping the best-of-3 series. While UCA (28-6) needed an extra inning in the series opener Friday night, the Eagles had a less adventurous…

01 Jun

Good to the last play: Cougars claim state title with two runs on final pitch

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, Kami Dunn, Macie Crutchfield, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, State championships, state playoffs, Toby Strider

Here’s the aftermath of the tying and winning runs scoring for Southwestern Randolph on the final play of the Class 2-A softball state championship series. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) GREENSBORO – Madelyn Smith’s dash from first base to home plate that sent Southwestern Randolph’s softball team to a Class 2A state championship came amid chaos on the final play of the season. It created more mayhem in terms of a celebration for the Cougars, who won the program’s first title in 14 years. “We have this saying, ‘Why not us?’ ” said third baseman Kami Dunn, who took that…

31 May

Southwestern Randolph in softball, UCA in baseball close in on state titles

Randolph RecordSportsCarter Brown, class 1-A, Class 2-A, Macie Crutchfield, nchsaa, Prep baseball, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, state playoffs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Southwestern Randolph’s softball team and Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team are both one victory away from state championships after winning Friday night in drastically different manners. Southwestern Randolph opened the Class 2-A state finals with a 13-0 blasting of Midway at UNC Greensboro. The game was reduced to five innings because of the mercy rule. The Cougars (22-7) go for their first title in 14 years with Game 2 at 2 p.m. Saturday. If necessary, Game 3 will be held at 5 p.m. or 8 p.m., depending on the status of the Class 4-A finals also taking place on the…

30 May

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Caleb Stickle

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Caleb Stickle, class 1-A, Prep baseball, state playoffs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Uwharrie Charter Academy, baseball The senior infielder has been a key member of the back-to-back Class 1A West Region champions. Stickle provided three hits and drove in four runs in the decisive Game 3 of the Class 1A West Region finals Saturday night at Mount Airy. That result sent the Eagles back to the state finals, where they’ll try to repeat as state champions this week in the best-of-3 finals against Northside-Pinetown at Holly Springs. Stickle was solid throughout the regional. He scored the first run when UCA won in the series opener. He had one of the team’s two…

29 May

Wheatmore denied in quest to return to state soccer final

Randolph RecordSportsClass 2-A, Ellie Garrison, Natalie Bowman, nchsaa, prep soccer, state playoffs, Wheatmore Warriors

MOORESVILLE – Wheatmore’s bid to make it to the state final in girls’ soccer for the third year in a row was dashed Tuesday night. Pine Lake Prep defeated the visiting Warriors 3-2 in the Class 2A West Region final in a rematch from last season. Ellie Garrison scored both goals for the sixth-seeded Warriors (17-5). Natalie Bowman provided an assist. Lucy Lockwood recorded 12 saves, though her four-game shutout streak ended. Avery Garrett, Maddyson Kerley and Morgan Reisig scored goals for top-seeded Pine Lake Prep. The game was tied 1-1 at halftime. Pine Lake Prep (20-1-1) will face East…

26 May

UCA Eagles put down hammer in baseball regional final

Randolph RecordSportsBrett Smith, class 1-A, Logun Wilkins, nchsaa, Rob Shore, state playoffs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

UCA infielder Caleb Stickle makes a throw during a game earlier this spring. (Randolph Record file photo) Strong pitching carries team back to Class 1A state finals MOUNT AIRY – Uwharrie Charter Academy’s baseball team made a definitive statement in the winner-take-all game of the Class 1A West Region finals. The Eagles blasted Mount Airy 12-0 in Saturday night’s Game 3 of the best-of-3 finals to keep alive their hopes of repeating as state champions. Logun Wilkins pitched a shutout to continue the team’s dominating work from the mound. The Eagles allowed one run across the three games. “Our pitching…

25 May

Southwestern Randolph Cougars advance to state finals after tense regionals in softball

Randolph RecordSportsAlyssa Harris, Class 2-A, Macie Crutchfield, Madelyn Smith, North Stanly, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, state playoffs, Toby Strider

Southwestern Randolph's Maddie Strider prepares to bunt in a state-playoff game against Walkertown earlier this month. (Scott Pelkey / Randolph Record) Southwestern Randolph aims for first state title in 14 years NEW LONDON – Southwestern Randolph’s softball team made enough clutch plays in the Class 2-A West Region finals that was full of tense moments. The Cougars earned a spot in the state championship series by defeating host North Stanly 2-0 on Friday night in the decisive Game 3 behind pitcher Macie Crutchfield’s five-hitter. That means that the Cougars (21-7) have more games to play under first-year coach Toby Strider…

23 May

Formula works for Faith Christian girls’ soccer program’s first state title

Bob SuttonSportsFaith Christian, North Carolina Christian School Association, prep soccer, state playoffs

Faith Christian’s Caroline Scarlett, left, Karrie Gaines, center, and Kyle Gaines celebrate during the state semifinals. (Courtesy photo) Eagles finally break through for elusive crown RAMSEUR – Faith Christian won a state championship in girls’ soccer for the first time in school history earlier this month. It didn’t occur by accident. “We knew we had the people if everybody did what they were supposed to do and everybody stayed healthy,” Eagles coach Brian Gaines said. Faith Christian topped host Wilson Christian 4-1 in the championship game of the North Carolina Christian School Association’s Class 2-A state tournament. It marked the…

22 May

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Lucy Lockwood

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Lucy Lockwood, prep soccer, state playoffs, Wheatmore athletics, Wheatmore Warriors

Wheatmore, girls’ soccer Lockwood, a goalkeeper, has recorded three consecutive shutouts in the Class 2-A state playoffs. That makes her Wheatmore’s all-time leader in shutouts for girls’ soccer. Her 25th career shutout tied the record last week against Mount Pleasant in the second round and she moved into the sole spot on the list with another blanking Monday night against Wilkes Central in the third round. Lockwood is in her second season with the soccer team. Victoria Lowe, who was the goalkeeper for the 2022 state championship team, had set the school record. Lockwood, a senior, is planning to play…