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Brecken Snotherly

UCA wrestling happy bench 2023

In review: UCA’s state titles highlight top area moments

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Members of the Uwharrie Charter Academy wrestling team celebrate a dual team state championship last winter. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

There were championships and near misses and an assortment of other superlatives associated with the 2022-23 school year for Randolph County high school teams.

Uwharrie Charter Academy racked up a pair of team state championships in Class 1-A.

The Eagles secured the dual team wrestling title and a few months later picked up the baseball crown.

** Eastern Randolph’s boys’ basketball team had its most successful season ever by advancing to the Class 1-A state championship game. Wilson Prep won the game.

Then in baseball, the Wildcats ended up one round away from a spot in the state finals. They were denied by UCA in the West Region finals.

Those might have been surprise postseason runs, but Eastern Randolph’s football success seemed normal. The Wildcats won the Piedmont Athletic Conference, received a first-round bye in the Class 1-A state playoffs and won two playoff games before they were derailed by Mount Airy.

** Wheatmore’s girls’ soccer team also played for a state championship, but its bid to repeat as the Class 2-A titlist was thwarted in the final by Manteo.

** Asheboro’s boys’ soccer team made it to the Class 3-A West Region final, falling to Hickory.

** Randleman’s baseball and girls’ basketball teams both reached the fourth round of the Class 2-A state playoffs. In baseball, the Tigers were the two-time defending state champions.

** Providence Grove’s football team won one game in the Class 2-A state playoffs. That was notable because it was the school’s first victory in a postseason football game.

** In softball, Southwestern Randolph won three games in the Class 2-A state playoffs before a 10-inning loss to West Wilkes. UCA and Eastern Randolph also reached the fourth round in Class 1-A.

Notes of interest

** Brecken Snotherly of Eastern Randolph was the PAC’s Runner of the Year in girls’ cross country, Player of the Year in girls’ basketball and the Most Valuable Track Athlete for PAC girls’ track and field.

** Shortstop / pitcher Tanner Marsh of Asheboro was a top honoree in two sports in the Mid-Piedmont Conference. He was dubbed the Defensive Player of the Year in boys’ basketball and the Player of the Year in baseball as a senior.

** Connor Carter of Eastern Randolph was the state individual runner-up for the past two seasons in Class 1-A boys’ golf.

** Infielder Hunter Atkins of Randleman was the Player of the Year for PAC baseball in 2021 and 2023. He’s heading to UNC Greensboro, though first he’s playing this summer for Randolph County Post 45 in American Legion baseball.

East West girls Snotherly July2023

NC East-West All-Star Games: Asheboro players make unique marks in soccer showcase

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Brecken Snotherly of Eastern Randolph heads up the court with the ball during Monday night’s North Carolina East-West All-Star Game for girls’ basketball at the Greensboro Coliseum. Snotherly played for the West team. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

BROWNS SUMMIT – Asheboro’s Calvin Smith and Cristian Ortiz each did something no other players in the North Carolina East-West All-Star Game could claim.

They were issued the only yellow cards during the boys’ soccer game Tuesday night at MacPherson Stadium.

“They were both kind of tactical,” Smith said of the infractions. “They weren’t cynical.”

Calvin Smith of Asheboro heads the ball over an East player during Tuesday night’s game at MacPherson Stadium. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Those moments aside, the duo from Asheboro embraced the opportunity to compete in the showcase for Class of 2023 standouts. They played for the West team.

The East scored two early goals and those held up for a 2-1 victory.

Smith was assessed his yellow card shortly after the midway mark of the first half. Ortiz was hit with a yellow card in the game’s final 15 seconds when he stopped an East breakaway.

“The situations that we were in,” Ortiz said. “Had to do it.”

West player Cristian Ortiz of Asheboro makes a move on East’s Alexander Walker of Wilmington Laney during Tuesday night’s game at MacPherson Stadium. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Ortiz said he was never issued a yellow card while playing for the Blue Comets. He said Smith was an unlikely recipient of a yellow card as well.

The West looked overmatched early in the game, with the East scoring twice in the first 13½ minutes. The tone eventually changed.

“It took us a few minutes to wake up,” Smith said. “I feel we controlled the last 60 (minutes).”

The West scored with about 11 minutes left. Smith was credited with an assist on a goal from Brock Gramann of Charlotte Providence.

“We started coming back,” Ortiz said. “It made it more interesting.”

Smith said he was “a little bit exhausted” based on several days of training and other North Carolina East-West All-Star Game activities in Greensboro and the game.

The girls’ soccer game ended with the East winning 6-2. That marked the most goals for a team in the history of the North Carolina East-West All-Star Game for girls.

Gracyn Hall of Randleman takes a shot in the North Carolina East-West All-Star Game for girls’ basketball. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Basketball

Gracyn Hall of Randleman and Brecken Snotherly of Eastern Randolph played for the West in the Monday night’s girls’ game at the Greensboro Coliseum. The East won 74-68.

Hall had six points in 18 minutes off the bench, making two of her four attempts from the field to go with two free throws. Snotherly was 1-for-4 with two points.

Football

In Wednesday’s game at Jamieson Stadium on the Greensboro Grimsley campus, the East posted a 14-0 victory.

Keno Jones of Northern Nash threw a touchdown pass and was named the game’s Offensive Most Valuable Player. Shamar Sutton of Northeastern and Avery Gaby of East Duplin scored the touchdowns. Lee County’s Dayreon Jennings was named the Defensive MVP.

ER golfer Connor Carter 2023states. jpg

Prep Golf, Track: Carter claims second again in state tourney; Beane jumps to runner-up spot

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Connor Carter of Eastern Randolph tees off during the Class 1-A state tournament last week at Pinehurst No. 6. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

PINEHURST – Eastern Randolph senior Connor Carter was the runner-up again in the Class 1-A state tournament for boys’ golf.

Carter shot rounds of 70 and 77 for 3-over-par 147 last week at Pinehurst No. 6.

He was behind only Mitchell’s Connor Warren, the defending champion who checked in at 11-under 133 with rounds of 65 and 68. Carter had a four-shot edge on third-place finisher Reid Smith of South Stanly.

In Class 2-A at Longleaf Golf & Family Club in Southern Pines, Ryan Marshall of Wheatmore tied for 30th at 16-over 160 (83, 77). Randleman’s Justin Jackson ended up 77th at 194 (103, 91)

Class 3-A at Foxfire Resort & Golf Club’s Red Course in Jackson Springs, David Elliott of Asheboro tied for 57th at 24-over 168 (82, 86).

Track and field

At Greensboro, Randleman’s Gracie Beane was second in the girls’ high jump in Class 2-A to highlight results for Randolph County entrants in state meets at North Carolina A&T.

Beane’s leap of 5 feet, 4 inches was 2 inches shy of the winning mark from D’Anna Cotton of team champion Burlington Cummings.

Beane also was eighth in the triple jump (35-3½).

Coley Shiflet of Southwestern Randolph ended up sixth in the 800 meters (2:28.10). Iniyah Mitchell of Randleman took sixth in the shot put (34-3)

On the boys’ side, Chase Farlow of Randleman placed fifth in the high jump at 6-2. Trinity’s Dylan Hodges was seventh in the high jump (6-0).

Wheatmore’s Zach Hazelwood captured sixth place in the 3,200 (10:11.30).

** In Class 3-A on Friday, Asheboro’s girls’ 400 relay of Audrey Patterson, Sion Murrain, Ey’Mya Cheek and Jalaya Showers was seventh in 50.88.

Lance Everhart scored on the boys’ side by tying for eighth place in the high jump (6-0). He was 11th in the pole vault (12-0).

** In Class 1-A on Friday, Eastern Randolph’s Brecken Snotherly placed fifth in the 1,600 (5:33.54). She was ninth in the 800 (2:33.12).

Teammate Mirianna Corea was seventh in the shot put (32-5½).

ER runner Brecken Snotherly 2022 track photo

Prep track and field: Beane, Snotherly, Everhart excel in regionals

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Brecken Snotherly of Eastern Randolph will be in the Class 1-A state meet for track and field this week. (Randolph Record)

Gracie Beane of Randleman and Brecken Snotherly of Eastern Randolph were regional individual champions in multiple events in track and field and they’ll lead the contingent of Randolph County entrants into the state meet this week at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro.

The Class 1-A and 3-A state meets are Friday. Class 2-A and 4-A compete Saturday.

The top four place finishers in each event from regionals qualified for states. Those in the top eight earned team points.

Asheboro’s Lance Everhart and Trinity’s Dylan Hodges each qualified in two events on the boys’ side.

Here’s a rundown from regionals:

Class 2-A

Friday at Mount Pleasant, Beane was the winner in the high jump and triple jump.

Beane cleared the bar at 5 feet, 4 inches, in the high jump and bounded 35-6 in the triple jump.

Iniyah Mitchell of Randleman captured third place in the shot put (33-9¾).

Southwestern Randolph’s Coley Shiflet (2:28.40) claimed third place in the 800 meters.

In the 1,600, Providence Grove’s Jensen Auman (6:11.02) was fourth. Jensen (13:50.84) ended up seventh in the 3,200.

Peyton Wilson of Wheatmore was fifth in the 400 in 1:00.74. Wheatmore’s Rylee Reidling was seventh in the discus (85-2).

For the boys, Hodges of Trinity was the runner-up in the high jump at 6-4, one spot ahead of Chase Farlow (6-2) of Randleman. Hodges was the fourth-place finisher in the long jump at 21-10.7.

Zach Hazelwood of Wheatmore was third in the 3,200 in 10:06.57 and Providence Grove’s Robert Burton was sixth in 10:37.88 in the same race.

Randleman’s Amari Ferdna was fifth in the triple jump at 41-6½. Teammate Landon McGee was seventh in the discus at 117-7.

In the 800 relay, Wheatmore’s Peyton McDevitt, Dakota Ludwick, Danny Craig and Sa’Corey Maryland was sixth in 1:33.07. Trinity’s Jacob Hodges, Robert Ratliff, Zach Cox and Dominic Payne ran to eighth in 1:33.19.

Trinity had the sixth-place 3,200 relay (9:04.01) with Jose Castillo, Mitchell Marin-Pulido, Riley Foster and Giovanni Jaimes.

Defending 100-meter regional champion Adam Cole of Southwestern Randolph was eighth in the 100 in 11.13 seconds (after the fifth-best time of 10.99 in the prelims). Cole also tried to qualify for states in the 200, but was 10th in 22.73.

Jose Castillo of Trinity was eighth in the 800 (2:09.75). Teammate Andrew Cox was eighth in the 300 hurdles (43.96).

Class 1-A

Saturday at Mocksville, Snotherly’s winning time in the 1,600 was 5:47.14, barely in front of Union Academy’s Audrey Falcone (5:47.79).

In the 800, Snotherly finished in 2:35.57 for a wider margin on runner-up Falcone.

Snotherly placed third in the 3,200 in 14:00.36.

Eastern Randolph’s Mirianna Corea was third in the shot put (32-2¾).

For the boys, Eastern Randolph had the eighth-place 3,200 relay (9:55.44). Allen Loftin was eighth in the discus (111-7).

Class 3-A

Saturday at Salisbury’s East Rowan, Everhart of Asheboro won the pole vault with an effort of 12 feet, 6 inches, and placed second in the high jump at 6 feet.

Teammate Nicolas Chavez was fifth in the pole vault at 9-6. Chavez was also fifth in the 110 hurdles in 15.55, while he placed sixth in the 300 hurdles in 41.87.

For the girls, Asheboro’s Rebecca Crowder placed fourth in the high jump at 4-10. Sion Murrain of Asheboro was fifth in the long jump at 16-6. The Blue Comets were fourth in the 400 relay in 50.54 seconds.

Randleman track Gracie Beane from May2022

Prep track and field: Wheatmore girls, Randleman boys notch PAC titles

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Randleman’s Gracie Beane, shown here in the high jump during the state meet last year at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, won four events in this week’s PAC championships. (File photo)

Snotherly, Beane, Hazelwood claim most individual events

TRINITY – Wheatmore’s girls and Randleman’s boys were team champions in the Piedmont Athletic Conference track and field championships.

Wheatmore, the host school, posted 137 points in the girls’ competition to runner-up Providence Grove’s 108 and Randleman’s 101. On the boys’ side, Randleman had 145 to Trinity’s 134.

Multiple individual winners were prominent on the girls’ side with Brecken Snotherly of Eastern Randolph and Gracie Beane of Randleman racking up four victories.

Snotherly claimed the 400 meters (1 minute, 6.59 seconds) to go with titles in the 800 (2:36.59), 1,600(5:48.98) and 3,200 (13:01.77).

Beane was the winner in the 200 (28.25), the high jump (5 feet, 2 inches), the long jump (15-4¼) and the triple jump (33-4).

Other winners were Providence Grove’s Makayla Leonard (100, 13.96) and Maya Barber (54.72), Wheatmore’s Ariel Marin (100 hurdles, 19.04) and Rylee Reidling (discus, 88-2) and Randleman’s Iniyah Mitchell (shot put 34-2½).

Wheatmore piled up points by winning the 800 relay and 1,600 relay and taking second place in the 400 relay and 3,200 relay. Providence Grove won the 400 relay and 3,200 relay.

For the boys, there was a larger variety of individual winners other than Wheatmore’s Zach Hazelwood sweeping the 1,600 (4:52.88) and 3,200 (10:41.94) despite challenges from Providence Grove’s Robert Burton in both races.

Randleman’s Tristan Chriscoe (110 hurdles, 16.95), Chase Farlow (high jump, 6-0), Amari Ferdna (39-4½), Amarion Moton (shot put, 39-9¾) and Landon McGee (discus, 119-6) took first place.

Trinity’s Dominic Payne (100, 11.69), Giovanni Jaimes (400, 55.77), Jose Castillo (800, 2:13.12) and Dylan Hodges (long jump, 20-2½) were winners. Trinity won all four of the boys’ relays.

Providence Grove’s Malachi Combo (300 hurdles, 45.33) and Wheatmore’s Peyton McDevitt (200, 24.15) also claimed titles.

ER girls Brecken Snotherly shoots v UCA 2023

Snotherly’s stellar career comes with skills, desire

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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 have a real love for the game.”

That makes sense considering her scoring prowess and ball-moving abilities. Snotherly poured in more than 2,000 points in a prep career that included time with Winston-Salem Christian.

But once the pandemic passed, she said she knew she wanted to be back home at Eastern Randolph.

The Wildcats have been glad to have her.

“One of the hardest-working kids I’ve seen at this level,” Eastern Randolph girls’ basketball coach Jeff Davis said. “Just her IQ. She studies and studies the game and wants to keep learning.”

That example helped set the tone as the Wildcats racked up a 19-8 record during the recently completed season.

As a senior, Snotherly scored 30.7 points to go with 9.7 rebounds per game.

“She’s a player we’ve been battling with it seems like forever,” Randleman coach Brandon Varner said.

With 51 points against Trinity during a game this winter, she re-set her single-game school record.

While Snotherly has a smooth jumper, it’s not like she relied on 3-point shooting. She’s efficient on fast breaks and well-equipped to carve through defenses.

“Some of it comes from transition,” Davis said. “It’s more of a desire.”

It was noticeable every time she was on the court.

“That kid is a nice player,” said Eastern Alamance coach Tim Krotish, who topped the career 500-win mark during the season. “She’ll pull up and knock that thing down in your face. She can go right, left.”

Ask Snotherly about that mid-range shot, and she’ll widen her smile.

“My little pull-up jumper, that’s my specialty,” she said.

Snotherly, a top 10 finisher in past state meets in cross country and track and field, has been excelling again in middle-distance and distance events this spring. So there’s more to do before she takes her basketball skills to the collegiate level.

Snotherly committed to East Tennessee State before her senior season. She had multiple college offers, but decided it was best to lock in on one school before her final go-around with the Wildcats.

So there’s more places to go and things to accomplish. For Snotherly, it seems to fit right in.

“It has been my journey,” she said. “I wouldn’t change it.”

Randolph County Championships April 2023

Asheboro runs away in Randolph County track and field championships

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Numerous schools have stellar results for individuals

ASHEBORO – Asheboro’s boys’ and girls’ track and field teams were superior in the Randolph County Championships on Tuesday.

But the Blue Comets had plenty of company from entrants from other schools when it came to special individual performances.

On the girls’ side, Brecken Snotherly of Eastern Randolph won four events on the track and Randleman’s Gracie Beane was strong in field events. Asheboro’s Jalaya Showers, Wheatmore’s Ariel Martin and Trinity’s Kensley Fox also won multiple individual events.

In boys’ races, Southwestern Randolph’s Adam Cole was the top sprinter, Asheboro’s Nicolas Chavez claimed both hurdles events, Wheatmore’s Zach Hazelwood had huge successes in distance events, and Asheboro’s Lance Everhart was two-event winner and a runner-up in two other events.

Asheboro’s girls compiled 145½ points to runner-up Wheatmore’s 118½ among the seven teams.

The Blue Comets, competing at their home facility (at South Asheboro Middle School), were more dominant in boys’ competition by winning seven events and racking up 186 points, while Trinity was second with 130.

Here’s a look at some highlights:

Girls

Snotherly, who scored 40 of her team’s 47 points, dominated in some events and had challenges in others.

She was pushed in the 400 meters by Wheatmore’s Peyton Wilson. Snotherly maintained a slight edge down the stretch and finished in 1 minute, 4.42 seconds, compared to Wilson’s 1:04.99.

In the 800, Snotherly (2:38.82) used a strong finishing kick to overcome Southwestern Randolph’s Coley Shiflet (2:41.18).

Snotherly had no threats in cruising in the 1,600 (6:06.00) and 3,200 (13:25.19).

Showers, a freshman, won the 100 (12.69) and 200 (26.11)

Beane won the high jump at 5 feet, 4 inches and the triple jump at 34-1¼. She was second in the long jump.

Martin won the 100 hurdles (19.01) and 300 hurdles (52.97).

Fox was the winner in the shot put (29-4½) and discus (86-8).

Asheboro’s Sion Murrain was the winner in the long jump (15-10½). Teammate Lia George was the only entrant in the pole vault.

Asheboro’s girls won the 400 relay and 800 relay, while Wheatmore claimed the 1,600 relay and Providence Grove was first in the 3,200 relay.

Boys

Cole won the 100 (11.16) and 200 (22.76). Cole had 20 of Southwestern Randolph’s 51 points, plus he anchored the Cougars’ third-place 400 relay (that resulted in six more team points).

Chavez edged Everhart in the 110 hurdles in 16.07 and ran away in the 300 hurdles in 41.67.

Hazelwood won the 1,600 (4:51.52.) and 3,200 (10:55.65). He was second in the 800 behind Trinity’s Jose Castillo (2:12.80).

Everhart won two events by claiming the long jump (20-1) and pole vault (11-0). Teammate Kai Matthews was the 400 winner in 54.72.

In field events, Chase Farlow of Randleman won the high jump in competition that extended for a large portion of the meet. He cleared 6-2, with Everhart the runner-up at 6-0.

Randleman had three other winners in field events: Amari Ferdna (triple jump, 40-3), Landon McGee (discus, 118-9), Amarion Moton (shot put, 40-6¼).

Boys’ relay winners were: Asheboro in the 400 and 1,600 and Trinity in the 800 and 3,200.

ER girls Brecken Snotherly v Wheatmore

Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference lists for winter sports

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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 Grove: Chase Whitaker.

****

Girls’ basketball

Player of the Year: Brecken Snotherly (Eastern Randolph)

Coach of the Year: Brandon Varner (Randleman)

All-Conference

Randleman: Gracie Beane, Gracyn Hall, Audra Petty, Elizabeth York.

Eastern Randolph: Brecken Snotherly, Kenly Whitaker.

Southwestern Randolph: Jordin George, Caressa King.

Wheatmore: Brianna Hill, Kynndi Routh.

Uwharrie Charter Academy: Ashara Spruill, Savannah Surratt

Trinity: Autumn Gentry, Kennedy Jackson.

Providence Grove: Allie Frazier.

****

Boys’ swimming

Swimmer of the Year: Chris Hall (Trinity)

Co-Coaches of the Year: Michelle Hinson (Wheatmore), Tammie Swaim (Trinity)

All-Conference

Wheatmore: Thomas Crews, Aiden Dean, Jace Leonard, Jude Leonard, Alexis Vega-Torres.

Providence Grove: Hayden Parker, Ashton Taylor, Austin Williams.

Trinity: Chris Hall.

****

Girls’ swimming

Swimmer of the Year: Samantha Marin (Randleman)

Co-Coaches of the Year: Michelle Hinson (Wheatmore), Tammie Swaim (Trinity)

All-conference

Wheatmore: Emily Cribbs, Sydney Hall, Paisley Hollifield, Victoria Joyce, Ava Williamson.

Randleman: Emma Herring, Kendall Fortson, Samantha Marin, Mackenzie Roach.

Trinity: Callie Jones.

*****

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Grayson Roberts pins South Davidson’s Jesse Pope during the Class 1-A East Region final at 170 pounds. Roberts was voted as the top upper-weight wrestler in the Piedmont Athletic Conference. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Wrestling

Lower Weight Wrestler of the Year: Aldo Hernandez (UCA)

Upper Weight Wrestler of the Year: Grayson Roberts (UCA)

Coach of the Year: Chris Waddell (UCA)

All-conference

Uwharrie Charter Academy: Lorenzo Alston, Corbin Grissom, Aldo Hernandez, Ethan Hines, Jadon Maness, Jack McArthur, Grayson Roberts, Carson Robinson, Jair Ulloa, Brennan Worrell.

Trinity: Lawson Coltrane, Levi Dennis, Brayden Hall, Gavin Hardister, Spencer May, Gavin McCall, Bear Schaefer, Joey Smith, Edgard Mora Vasquez.

Southwestern Randolph: Jose Flores, Erick Lopez, Luke White.

Wheatmore: Dominic Hittiepole, Trey Swaney.

Providence Grove: Ross Allred, Colton Wood.

Eastern Randolph: Bryce Foland, Adrian Lopez.

Randleman: Caden Thorne, Braxton Walker

ER boys Nicah Taylor v Robbinsville Feb2023

Prep basketball: Randleman girls, Eastern Randolph boys move on

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Eastern Randolph’s Nicah Taylor goes up for a shot against Robbinsville in the third round of the Class 1-A state playoffs Saturday. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

RANDLEMAN – Top-seeded Randleman fended off another challenge in the Class 2-A state playoffs, defeating eighth-seeded East Rutherford 62-55 on Saturday afternoon in the third round.

Elizabeth York scored 19 points, Gracyn Hall had 18 points and Audra Petty and Jordan Booker both posted 10 points for Randleman.

The Tigers (27-1) move on to the West Region semifinals Tuesday night at home against East Burke (26-2), a 54-37 winner against No. 13 seed Newton-Conover.

Randleman held a 27-16 halftime lead in winning its third home game in the state playoffs.

Class 1-A girls

At Ramseur, No. 13 seed Robbinsville eliminated fifth-seeded Eastern Randolph 60-45.

The Wildcats finished the season with a 19-8 record.

Robbinsville (20-8) outscored the Wildcats in every quarter, leading 44-34 going to the fourth quarter.

Senior guard Brecken Snotherly scored 23 points for Eastern Randolph. Teammate Kenly Whitaker added 10 points and Logan Beaver pulled in nine rebounds.

Class 1-A boys

At Ramseur, third-seeded Eastern Randolph topped sixth-seeded Robbinsville 83-64 to continue the winningest season in program history and move to the regional semifinals for the first time.

Davonte Brooks racked up 28 points, Timothy Brower poured in 22 points and Julian Brooks had 11 points for Eastern Randolph.

The Wildcats (27-2) will have to go on the road for the first time in the postseason for the West Region semifinals with Tuesday night’s game at second-seeded South Stokes (25-4), which eliminated Bessemer City 70-62.

Eastern Randolph built a 43-29 lead by halftime against Robbinsville (23-6).

Randleman girls Gracie Beane v Hendersonville Feb2023

Prep girls: Randleman finds right mix in second round; E. Randolph also wins

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Gracie Beane of Randleman makes a pass in the second half against Hendersonville in Thursday night’s Class 2-A state playoffs. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

RANDLEMAN – A great start and a splendid second-half span were enough to extend the season for Randleman’s girls’ basketball team.

The Tigers did enough in between in the Class 2-A second-round game to defeat visiting Hendersonville 63-54 on Thursday night.

“Give (our players) credit for coming ready to play,” Randleman coach Brandon Varner said. “We did a lot of great stuff.”

That came in large doses in the opening minutes and in a game-deciding stretch in the third quarter.

As a result, Randleman (26-1), the top-seeded team in the West Region, will meet eighth-seeded East Rutherford (27-2), an 88-54 winner against North Stanly, at 2 p.m. Saturday at home in the third round.

“From here on, every team is good,” senior guard Jordan Booker said.

And so are the Tigers, proving so during various situations against Hendersonville (18-10).

The game began with Randleman scoring the first 14 points. With center Graycn Hall picking up two fouls and going to the bench, the lead evaporated and the Bearcats, who went more than six minutes without a point, were within a point in the second quarter. The Tigers kept the lead, heading to halftime ahead 25-23.

But Hendersonville tied the game a couple of times in the third quarter. Then at 35-35, senior Elizabeth York took over.

“I was definitely giving more effort than usual, which is embarrassing to say,” York said. “But I wasn’t going to let this be my last game.”

She scored the next eight points on a field goal, a three-point play and a 3-point shot. Hall added a putback off an offensive rebound before perhaps the most exciting sequence of the game.

Randleman secured a defensive rebound with about four seconds left in the quarter. A couple of passes later, York had the ball and flung up a desperation shot for a crowd-pleasing, unorthodox basket at the buzzer and a 47-37 lead.

It was nearly a no-look shot, though York said she glanced “for a second” toward the basket.

York converted another three-point play early in the fourth quarter and the Tigers eventually went up by 19 points.

“We knew we were the better team,” Booker said. “We had to play together and play like we can and it worked out.”

In the third quarter, Randleman switched from a zone and some specialty defenses to man-to-man. Varner said he liked how the Tigers handled the adjustment.

“These girls are battle-tested and have played a lot of basketball,” he said.

Hall finished with 24 points and York had 22 points. AJ Jackson had 15 of her 22 points in the first half for Hendersonville.

The Tigers also collected a valuable lesson, further understanding to avoid letting up.

“We got too comfortable with our lead,” York said. “It’s going to get tougher and tougher as Coach Varner says.”

So the Tigers know there’s no easy paths to keeping the season alive.

“They’re all good now,” Varner said. “You’ve got to show up and play your best.”

** Shelby 61, Southwestern Randolph 27: At Shelby, the 15th-seeded Cougars (19-9) fell into an 18-2 hole and didn’t recover at No. 2 seed Shelby (25-1) in Class 2-A.

Class 1-A

At Ramseur, Brecken Snotherly scored 27 points and No. 5 seed Eastern Randolph stopped No. 12 seed Rosman 53-40

Kenly Whitaker poured in 17 points for host Eastern Randolph (19-7), which trailed 27-24 at halftime. A 13-3 advantage in the third quarter turned the momentum.

Snotherly, who made three 3-pointers, also had 12 rebounds.

The Wildcats will be home again Saturday against No. 13 seed Robbinsville (19-8), a 71-66 winner vs. fourth-seeded Albemarle.

Rosman finished with a 23-6 record.

** Bessemer City 46, Uwharrie Charter Academy 39: At Bessemer, the visiting Eagles nearly recovered from an early 15-point hole, closing to within 20-19 at halftime, but they couldn’t complete the comeback against seventh-seeded Bessemer City (21-6).

No. 23 seed UCA ended with a 12-16 record.

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