There’s lots to be decided in conference basketball races involving Randolph County teams

Southwestern Randolph’s Jordin George cuts through Uwharrie Charter Academy players during a Four Rivers Conference girls’ basketball game last month. Both teams are contending for conference honors heading down the stretch. (Jann Ortiz / For Randolph Record)

There was no high school basketball played in Randolph County for two weeks, so that will make it a mad dash to the finish as teams jockey for position in their respective conferences for the final two weeks of the regular season.

There was a boys’ game in the county Saturday when Northwood smashed host Eastern Randolph 81-53. Meanwhile, Asheboro went to Northern Guilford and lost by 69-25 in the girls’ game and by 87-50 in the boys’ game.

Plus, Faith Christian’s boys’ team was back in action for a 54-40 home victory against Calvary Christian on Friday before losing by 32-30 the next day to Woodland Baptist.

Here’s a look at the championship races in various conferences at the beginning of this week, when play was expected to resume after the onslaught of weather-related postponements and schedule adjustments:

Triad Area Athletic Conference

Boys: Asheboro won its first three conference games and have lost twice in league play since then. The three teams above the Blue Comets in the standings had played more games than Asheboro entering this week. The Blue Comets were unable to repeat success against first-place Northern Guilford after winning the first matchup.

Guilford County schools returned to action prior to Asheboro getting back on the court for game action.

Girls: After winning nine non-league games, Asheboro is fifth in the conference, only defeating Northeast Guilford. After that game, the Blue Comets went more than two weeks without playing.

Four Rivers Conference

Boys: Northwood is in good shape atop the standings, but Uwharrie Charter Academy and Southwestern Randolph remain within striking distance.

Eastern Randolph has work to do to rise to the upper-half of the six-team league , but it’s feasible for the Wildcats can get on a bit of a roll. Tyler Gee of Eastern Randolph had 35 points in the weekend loss to Northwood.

Girls: This is clearly a three-team race with Northwood, Southwestern Randolph and UCA. Prior to the weather-related pause, Northwood and UCA had yet to meet, so there are numerous games likely to impact the standings.

The other three teams – Jordan-Matthews, Eastern Randolph and North Moore – had a total of eight victories overall when the week began.

Piedmont Athletic Conference

Boys: Randleman has found it tough going in conference play, winning only once (compared to an 8-2 record in non-conference games). The Tigers did have a one-point loss to Lexington in their first meeting.

Coach Daniel Mitchell has pointed to the importance of compiling as many victories as possible in order to make sure the Tigers qualify for a spot in the state playoffs.

Girls: Randleman is aiming to stay among the upper tier in the conference. But starting the week with a 4-3 record and three games out of first place, a title appears unlikely for the Tigers.

Central Carolina 3-A Conference

Boys: Providence Grove was unscathed in its first five conference games. After beating West Davidson 70-62 in their league opener, the Patriots won their next four games by double-figure margins.

Wheatmore is poised to make a run at the title, though Trinity is trying to avoid last place.

Girls: Wheatmore began the week atop the standings with a one-game edge on West Davidson. Providence Grove could factor into the race. Trinity suffered three losses by double-figure margins in the first go-around in league play.