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Post 45 Braylen Hayes swings v Rowan July2023

Hayes backtracks to Post 45, carves new path

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Braylen Hayes takes a swing for Randolph County Post 45 this summer. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

ASHEBORO – Braylen Hayes didn’t anticipate being back with Randolph County Post 45 this summer, but he’s glad that opportunity existed.

It’s turning out to be a good thing for Post 45 despite his unexpected availability.

The former standout outfielder for Randleman didn’t make it to the finish line in his first college season at UNC Greensboro.

“Just having too much fun in college. It went downhill and ended up not having the best grades,” Hayes said. “It was all on me. It’s good, though, I’m going to get back right.

Braylen Hayes will play next year for Guilford Tech. (Bob Sutton/Randolph Record)

Hayes is the center fielder and bats third in the lineup for Post 45, which will be the host team for the American Legion’s Southeast Regional next week at McCrary Park.

So this is a summer to regroup for Hayes, who has committed to attend Guilford Tech and play a season with that junior college team.

He was lined up to play for the Asheboro ZooKeepers, a summer college team in the Coastal Plain League. But when grades interfered and he dropped off the UNCG roster, he wasn’t eligible for that because he wasn’t in a college program.

“It was pretty hard,” Hayes said. “It was just weird. I had never had to go through anything like that. Had to figure out.”

And he needed a summer baseball destination.

“Would have had a crap summer, no baseball would be rough,” he said.

Fortunately for him, he’s young enough – just turning 19 – for another season of American Legion baseball. He also played for Post 45 last year.

Post 45 manager Ronnie Pugh said Hayes is a big part of the team.

“We know the things he can do,” Pugh said.

Hayes said he’s a much better player than last summer.

“Making more contact on balls, hard contact,” he said. “Knowing the strike zone a lot better from seeing pitching at the D-I level.”

Things didn’t go as Hayes planned at UNCG.

“I didn’t play the best in the fall. I was struggling a little bit,” he said. “Going from seeing alright arms, to really good arms really fast. It was just a huge jump. At the time, I wasn’t ready for it.”

When the 2023 season began, he was a reserve, gaining more playing time a few weeks into the season. Hayes batted .250 in nine games, including three starts. He was 3-for-3 on stolen base attempts.

Yet his time with the Spartans didn’t go for naught. That has been evident with Hayes’ throws from the outfield.

“UNCG, they’ve got a great throwing program,” he said. “My arm has gotten so much stronger.”

Hayes was on three high school state championship teams – one at Uwharrrie Charter Academy and two at Randleman. In 2022, he shared Player of the Year honors in the Piedmont Athletic Conference with teammate future Boston Red Sox draft pick Brooks Brannon.

Now Hayes wants to turn the detour into something good after the Guilford Tech season.

“Go to a bigger D-I, hopefully,” he said.

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.

Randleman baseball Hunter Atkins v Trinity May2023

Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference spring lists

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Hunter Atkins of Randleman takes a swing during a Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament game against Trinity. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Here’s a list of the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s major award winners and all-conference selections for spring sports:

Baseball

Player of the Year: Hunter Atkins (Randleman)

Co-Pitchers of the Year: Austin Lemons (Randleman), Cade Hill (Trinity)

Coach of the Year: Ryan Spencer (Trinity)

All-conference

Randleman: Hunter Atkins, Austin Lemons, Shawn Miller, Seth Way.

Trinity: Jaxson Coble, Cade Hill, Jake Little, Landon Mowery.

Southwestern Randolph: Easton Clapp, Adam Cole, Tyler Parks.

Wheatmore: Payton Mooney, Mason Rich.

Providence Grove: Joe Coltrane, Logan Fox, Andrew Thomas.

Eastern Randolph: Samuel Asbill, Stratton Barwick, Ethan Frye.

Uwharrie Charter Academy: Carter Brown, Jake Hunter, Walker Wilkins.

 

Boys’ golf

Player of the Year: Connor Carter (Eastern Randolph)

Coach of the Year: Pete Kilcullen (Wheatmore)

All-conference

Wheatmore: Hunter Marshall, Ryan Marshall, Jayden Martin.

Providence Grove: Brandon Davis, Seth Turner, Cooper Wright.

Randleman: Justin Jackson, Mason Millikan.

Trinity: Bo Earnhardt, Ethan Earnhardt.

Eastern Randolph: Connor Carter.

 

Softball

Co-Players of the Year: Addie Flinchum (Eastern Randolph), Emma Mazzarone (Providence Grove)

Pitcher of the Year: Macie Crutchfield (Southwestern Randolph)

Coach of the Year: Chad Whitson (Southwestern Randolph)

All-conference

Providence Grove: Maddie Flinchum, Devon Kelly, Callie Lambert, Emma Mazzarone.

Southwestern Randolph: Macie Crutchfield, Alley Lowe, Ky Perdue, Madelyn Smith, Maddie Strider, Madison Varner, Carleigh Whitson.

Eastern Randolph: Logan Beaver, Addie Flinchum, Lanie McDaniel, Ayanna Mears, Skylar Pugh, Ziera Watson.

Uwharrie Charter Academy: Kynley Brewer, Molly Bulla.

Randleman: Jordan Booker, Kadie Greene.

Wheatmore: Carmen Turgeon.

Wheatmore’s Summer Bowman heads a ball during the Class 2-A state playoffs in a girls’ soccer game vs. Wilkes Central. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Girls’ soccer

Offensive Player of the Year: Ellie Garrison (Wheatmore)

Defensive of the Year: Natalie Bowman (Wheatmore)

Coach of the Year: Jimmy Walker (Southwestern Randolph)

All-conference

Wheatmore: Natalie Bowman, Summer Bowman, Shea Driggers, Ellie Garrison, Maggie Messner, Izabella Ringley, Mikalah Walls.

Southwestern Randolph: Macy Allred, Madison Blankenship, Sadie Mabe, Macy Walker.

Uwharrie Charter Academy: Ava Cugino, Alexis Marion, Jazmin Palma.

Providence Grove: Jenny Banuelos, Brooke Ingram, Aaliyah Loveday, Alisa Shaw, Taryn Waugh.

Trinity: Deanna Cobb, Autumn Gentry.

Randleman: Emily Jaramillo Avila, Kendall Fortson, Estefania Jaimes.

Eastern Randolph: Cora Sparrow.

 

Boys’ tennis

Player of the Year: Conner Kelly (Southwestern Randolph)

Coach of the Year: Cassie Wodecki (Providence Grove)

All-conference

Uwharrie Charter Academy: Cadence Butler, Evan Morin.

Wheatmore: Sam Greene, Jacob Younts.

Providence Grove: James Ellis, Hunter Sexton, Chase Whitaker.

Randleman: Ashton Dillon.

Trinity: Bradin Oldham, Dominic Payne.

Southwestern Randolph: Conner Kelly, Asher Perkins, Kearns Trotter.

 

Boys’ track and field

Most Valuable Track Athlete: Tristan Chriscoe (Randleman)

Most Outstanding Runner: Zach Hazelwood (Wheatmore)

Most Outstanding Field Event Participant: Chase Farlow (Randleman)

Coach of the Year: Marty Collinson (Randleman)

All-conference

Trinity: Jose Castillo, Memphis Chap, Zach Cox, Riley Foster, Dylan Hodges, Jacob Hodges, Giovanni Jaimes, Mitchell Marin-Pulido, Dominic Payne, AJ Poe, Robert Ratliff.

Providence Grove: Robert Burton, Malachi Combo, Jackson Rhyne.

Randleman: Tristan Chriscoe, Chase Farlow, Amari Ferdna, Tyshawn Goldston, Landon McGee, Amarion Moton, Ty Moton, Jonathan Sampson.

Wheatmore: Zach Hazelwood, Peyton McDevitt.

 

Girls’ track and field

Most Valuable Track Athlete: Brecken Snotherly (Eastern Randolph)

Outstanding Runner: Jensen Auman (Providence Grove)

Outstanding Field Event Participant: Gracie Beane (Randleman)

Coach of the Year: Ken Wilson (Wheatmore)

All-conference

Providence Grove: Jensen Auman, Maya Barber, Jazmin Cruz, Kaylan Currin, Carolina Duvall, Allie Frazier, Alyssa Kinley, Makayla Leonard.

Randleman: Gracie Beane, Iniyah Mitchell.

Wheatmore: Emma Davidson, Rinnah Edwards, Emerie Everhart, Abigail Lewis, Ariel Martin, Kahmarii McNeil, Kaitlyn Miller, Rylee Reidling, Peyton Wilson.

Southwestern Randolph: Gracie Hodgin, Sadie Mabe, Elizabeth Pierce.

Eastern Randolph: Brecken Snotherly.

Trinity: Kinsley Fox, Sarabeth Johnson.

Randleman girls Gracyn Hall shoots in 2022 23 season

Hall makes family connection for NC East-West All-Star Game

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Gracyn Hall of Randleman takes a shot during her senior season. (Randolph Record file photo)

Randleman basketball player’s father competed in football showcase

RANDLEMAN – Gracyn Hall will represent Randleman one more time in girls’ basketball.

It’s appropriate on many levels including a family connection to the North Carolina East-West All-Star Game.

Hall and Eastern Randolph’s Brecken Snotherly are among the players for the West team in Monday night’s game at the Greensboro Coliseum.

“Playing in this game is a very big thing,” Hall said. “Just to be nominated was an honor and then to be chosen for this is special.”

Hall wrapped up a Randleman career during which she racked up nearly 1,700 points.

And now she follows a path traveled by her father almost three decades ago. Tyler Hall was a Randleman quarterback and he was picked for the 1994 North Carolina East-West All-Star Game in football.

“It’s pretty cool, actually,” she said.

Hall, 18, is preparing to head Emory & Henry, where she’ll join the women’s basketball team. The 5-foot-11 player expects to be slotted as a small forward.

The East-West All-Star Game provides a nice connection from her high school career to college. In past years, recent months would have involved offseason competitions.

“Normally during the summer, I’m constantly competing in AAU and traveling,” Hall said. “So I’m trying to do things to get me ready for college and show why I was chosen for this game.”

Hall had a different kind of senior school year because she participated in two fall sports – tennis and golf. She teamed up with classmate Elizabeth York for a runner-up finish in Piedmont Athletic Conference doubles in her only season of girls’ tennis.

“It really helped my footwork and agility,” Hall said.

Randleman had an incredible two-year run in girls’ basketball that included PAC championships and advancing deep into the Class 2-A state playoffs. Hall’s participation in the East-West Game provides an extension of that.

She was a major low-post presence for the Tigers. She also could pop out to the perimeter and sink shots and that’s that versatility that she hopes carries into college.

“She did so many things for us,” said Brandon Varner, who was Randleman’s coach. “She’s so deserving to be playing in this game.”

Hall is proud of what was accomplished with Randleman and how it played out.

“The best part was I was able to go out there with my best friends and win games,” Hall said. “Knowing you did everything you could and got the most out of it.”

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 logo

Tigers take different route, end up in PAC final

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One strike away from a tournament exit, Randleman overcomes Providence Grove

RANDLEMAN – Randleman’s baseball team hadn’t been in many of these situations in recent years.

Trailing by two runs and down to their final strike, the Tigers’ stranglehold on the Piedmont Athletic Conference was in jeopardy Tuesday night.

Providence Grove was on the cusp of pulling off an upset in the PAC Tournament semifinal.

“I haven’t been in that many situations like that.” Randleman junior Seth Way said. “Do what you have to do to win the game.”

So he did. Down 0-2 in the count with runners on second and third with two outs, Way rapped a single to center field on reliever JC Cruz’s knuckleball. That tied the game.

“I saw it coming,” Way said of the knuckler.

The game went to extra innings, where Chesney Welch’s one-out single to left field brought in Shawn Miller from second base. Miller drew a lead-off walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt.

Randleman coach Jake Smith, whose two-time reigning Class 2-A state champions often dominated, couldn’t recall the last time the Tigers produced a late-game comeback.

“All that matters is our score is higher than theirs,” Way said.

The Tigers (19-4) will meet visiting Trinity, a 4-0 semifinal winner against Uwharrie Charter Academy, in Thursday night’s tournament final in a rematch from a year ago.

Providence Grove ended Randleman’s 38-game conference winning streak last month with a 3-2 victory and then dropped a 3-2 decision later that week in the regular-season rematch. The Patriots (14-10) needed just one more out to notch another upset.

“It is what it is,” Providence Grove coach Glen Hunt said. “That’s what they do. We played well three times against them.”

Way and Providence Grove’s Jayten Beasley were locked in a pitchers’ duel until Way’s home run to lead off the bottom of the fourth.

The Patriots struck back in the fifth, using four singles and an error on the way to three runs. The first run was scored by Brady Collins on a two-out double steal. Logan Fox capped the rally with an RBI single.

From there, the Patriots dodged trouble the next two innings. Cruz entered with two runners on base and two outs to strike out Hunter Atkins to end the fifth. The Tigers stranded two more runners in the sixth after Jake Riddle’s two-out double.

Smith said he was glad Way could overshadow his fifth-inning pitching misfortune with his bat.

“He took it out at the plate,” Smith said.

Then in the eighth, it was Welch’s turn for a clutch hit. He wasn’t on the team last year.

“Sitting in the dugout right before I went out, I was kind of hoping it would get to me,” he said.

Providence Grove, playing for the second night in a row, had to piece together the pitching. Hunt said Beasley excelled in a heightened role.

“He did a real good job keeping them off balance,” Hunt said. “I thought we played a really clean game defensively.”

Austin Lemons pitched two innings of shutout relief for the Tigers. Smith said he’ll be the starting pitcher for the tournament final.

With only two returning starters from a year ago in the Randleman lineup, this group wants to get the job done, too.

“It’s a pride thing,” Smith said. “You’re here at your home field and you’re protecting your home field. They’ve got a lot of pride.”

** In the quarterfinals, Providence Grove upended Southwestern Randolph 10-9 in eight innings. That game was contested at Randleman because of wet field conditions at Providence Grove.

Karson Bowman’s three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning tied the game. Andrew Canter was the winning pitcher in relief. Tyler Foust homered earlier in the game. Landon Williamson homered and Tyler Parks drove in three runs for Southwestern Randolph (9-14).

PG v Randleman softball April 2023

Prep Roundup: Cougars complete perfect PAC softball regular season

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Providence Grove’s Devon Kelly dives across the plate in front of Randleman’s Sarah Norton during last week’s Piedmont Athletic Conference softball game at Climax. Providence Grove won 4-0. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

Southwestern Randolph won its only softball game of the week but that meant a perfect regular season in Piedmont Athletic Conference play.

Maddie Strider hit a two-run homer as the Cougars topped host Uwharrie Carter Academy 13-1.

Southwestern Randolph (17-1 overall, 12-0 PAC) is the top seed for this week’s conference tournament.

** Eastern Randolph won 6-1 against visiting Providence Grove with winning Addie Flinchum homering. From the circle, Flinchum fired a one-hitter with 14 strikeouts and five walks.

Eastern Randolph rode Skylar Pugh’s four-inning no-hitter in a 17-0 romp past visiting Trinity.

** Providence Grove topped visiting Randleman 4-0 with Emma Mazzarone striking out 12 batters and Leela Von Der Hey with a double and a triple and driving in three runs.

** UCA was a 14-0 winner at Wheatmore with Kenzie Hill going 4-for-4 with a home run and double. Logan Zephir joined Hill with three runs batted in.

** Wheatmore’s Carmen Turgeon was the winning pitcher and had four runs batted in and three hits when the Warriors trounced host Trinity 16-2. Turgeon struck out 14.

Baseball

Even with 10-0 and 10-1 romps past Montgomery Central last week, Asheboro finished fourth in the Mid-Piedmont Conference.

Ben Luck homered and tripled while driving in four runs and Davis Gore homered in the first matchup, with Connor Adams throwing a five-inning four-hitter.

In the rematch, Gore and Chandler Macon combined on a no-hitter, though Gore issued five walks and surrendered the lone run.

Tanner Marsh scored three runs and Josh Meadows knocked in three runs for Asheboro (11-10, 4-6).

** Piedmont Athletic Conference regular-season champion Randleman claimed a 6-1 victory at Northern Guilford in non-conference play in its lone game last week. Seth Way, who had a two-run double, pitched six innings and Shawn Miller rapped three hits.

The Tigers have geared up for the postseason without knowing if junior left-hander Drake Purvis will make it to the mound following offseason elbow surgery.

“He’s not back as far as in the games go,” coach Jake Smith said Monday. “He’s back throwing.”

It’s possible that Purvis could be available during the state playoffs, Smith said.

** Uwharrie Charter Academy won against Southwestern Randolph on back-to-back nights with 10-2 and 13-9 outcomes to secure a share of second place in the PAC. Ben Medinger scored five runs across those two games for UCA.

** Trinity split two games with last-place Eastern Randolph to tie with UCA for second place. There was Trinity’s 9-7 victory behind Cade Hill’s pitching and Walker Parrish’s two RBI and two runs scored. Later in the week, Eastern Randolph won 4-1.

** Providence Grove and Wheatmore split, each winning home games.

Providence Grove’s 6-3 victory came with Andrew Thomas pitching six innings and Josh Ward driving in two runs. Wheatmore won 6-5 with Payton Mooney driving in two runs.

Girls’ soccer

In Wheatmore’s 10-0 victory against visiting Randleman, senior Summer Bowman became the school’s all-time leader in assists with 48.

** Southwestern Randolph defeated Trinity 2-1 on Lucy Griffin’s overtime goal.

** In the Mid-Piedmont Conference, Natalie Flores scored as Asheboro nipped visiting Montgomery Central 1-0 for its fourth victory in five games. Then came a 2-1 loss at Mid-Piedmont Conference co-leader Oak Grove.

Boys’ tennis

Three PAC teams were slotted for the dual-team state playoffs, led by regular-season champion Trinity.

The dual team playoffs were set to start Wednesday after pairings were released Monday. Winners will advance to resume play next week.

Meanwhile, individual regionals are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

In the team competition, Trinity will open with visiting West Stokes in Class 2-A PAC runner-up Southwestern Randolph visits Shelby Burns.

In Class 1-A, UCA goes to Bishop McGuinness in the first round.

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.

Randleman girls coach Steven Rightmyer

Randleman keeps it close to home with new girls’ coach

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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 coach at Randleman Middle School, though he’ll remain there as a physical education and health teacher.

He takes over for Brandon Varner, who stepped aside after five seasons and a 103-20 record. Varner is athletics director at the middle school, so he’s well-connected with Rightmyer.

“Change is always a little bit different, but we’re still excited about the change,” Randleman principal Dennis Hamilton said.

This marks the first varsity coaching assignment for Rightmyer, 35. He has coached a variety of sports, including junior varsity boys’ basketball for the Tigers. At the middle school, he also has been a head coach and assistant coach for the football team.

“He’s a tireless worker,” Randleman athletics director Jake Smith said. “We have no doubt that through his leadership that Randleman girls’ basketball will continue to produce a quality product.”

Rightmyer said he’s fortunate because openings with such a strong program might not come along often.

Because of his teaching role, Rightmyer is familiar with the players who’ll make up the girls’ team. His nine years overall in Randleman gives him a good feel for the community, he said.

“I’ve coached a lot of their older brothers,” he said. “It’s not like moving to a new school. It definitely helps.”

Randleman’s girls went 25-1 in 2021-22 and 27-2 during this past season, mostly dominating the Piedmont Athletic Conference.

“There was a lot of talent, especially with that senior group,” Rightmyer said. “We’ve got a good group that’s still going to be here.”

Rightmyer, who’s from Livonia, N.Y., served as a student assistant coach for three years for the Methodist University’s men’s team. He also helped with the boys’ basketball team at Pine Forest in Fayetteville while student teaching. He was at Southeastern Randolph Middle School for three years before shifting to Randleman.

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