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Randleman girls claim tourney title

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CLIMAX – Randleman’s girls’ basketball team secured the championship of the Davidson-Randolph Christmas Classic at the Providence Grove site last week.

The Tigers used 25 points from Gracyn Hall to produce a 69-53 victory against Providence Grove in the title game of the three-day event.

“We played pretty well for the three days,” Randleman coach Brandon Varner said. “To be able to bring that trophy back to Randleman is pretty special.”

Hall was the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Elizabeth York had 14 points and Hannah Hinshaw posted 11 points in the title game for the Tigers, who improved their record to 10-0.

“We just played a little bit better in spurts,” Varner said. “Once we settled in, we were fine.”

For Providence Grove, Allie Frazier’s 17 points, Edi Austin’s 10 points and Asia Steverson’s 10 points topped the scoring chart. The 53 points were the most allowed by Randleman this season.

Randleman’s Hinshaw and Audra Petty were also on the all-tournament team. Other members of the all-tournament team were Frazier and Austin of Providence Grove and Salem Ward of Central Davidson.

Randleman won a semifinal game by trouncing Central Davidson 54-33 behind Hall’s 18 points and Hinshaw’s 16 points.

Providence Grove reached the final by defeating Asheboro 49-31 as Frazier had 14 points and Austin had 13 points.

Randleman opened the tournament with a 61-23 romp past Lexington as Hall and Petty each had 18 points. Providence Grove won in the first round by defeating West Davidson 50-39 as Frazier had 16 points and Austin provided 12 points. Asheboro was a 61-46 first-round winner against East Davidson as Sion Martin had 14 points.

 

On the boys’ side, Providence Grove was the runner-up, falling 54-51 to Central Davidson.

Zane Caudle had 15 points, Sakai McCoy added 12 point and Michael Fee had 11 points for Providence Grove in the final.

Luke Staten of Central Davidson was the MVP after scoring 10 points in the championship game, joining teammates Caden Poole and Keyshawn Breedlove on the all-tournament team. Caudle and Fee from Providence Grove and Jerquarius Stanback of Asheboro also made the all-tournament team.

“We’ll learn from it,” said Providence Grove coach Wes Luther, whose team nearly battled back from a late nine-point deficit against Central Davidson. “This group is resilient. We’ve been battle-tested.”

Asheboro defeated Randleman 66-47 in the third-place game.

Providence Grove nipped Asheboro 49-48 in the semifinals, with Caudle notching 11 points and Luke Thomas with 10 points. Tanner Marsh and Hakeeme Butler both had 10 points for Asheboro.

Providence Grove opened tournament play by defeating West Davidson 64-49 as Caudle had 19 points and Fee chipped in with 12 points. Asheboro won in the first round when Stanback racked up 20 points in an 87-53 stomping of East Davidson.

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Holiday tourneys take new twists for area teams

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Area basketball teams will be in holiday tournament action next week, but the format will look different from past years.

Teams will be headed to two sites, with a Davidson County vs. Randolph County flavor.

“They agreed to do that this year,” Asheboro athletics director Steve Luck said. “It kind of worked out. We thought this would be neat.”

The changes stem from sponsorship changes and the renovations at Asheboro’s gym, which had been used for what were basically Randolph County tournaments on back-to-back weeks. That venue is unavailable this year.

This is called the Davidson-Randolph Christmas Classic.

Now, the girls and boys play on the same days. That’s eight games per day at each site.

Games are set for Dec. 27-29 at Providence Grove and Ledford. Eight schools will be at each site with both their boys’ and girls’ teams.

“We kind of wanted something new and different,” Providence Grove athletics director Calvin Brown said.

Luck, Brown and Ledford athletics director Donald Palmer were among those putting together plans, beginning last spring.

With new North Carolina High School Athletic Association conference alignments beginning this school year, it was another reason to adjust. All the schools in Randolph County with the exception of Asheboro are in the same league.

“The Randolph County schools were getting tired of playing each other,” Luck said.

There are bound to be some matchups between conference teams, but the brackets are set up to avoid that as much as possible.

So on Day 1, Randolph County schools (plus Jordan-Matthews) take on Davidson County Schools.

There are benefits to the format, primarily that three days – albeit it long ones – will be used. In the past, the girls’ tournament came prior to Christmas and the boys’ tournament followed Christmas, so that meant organizers and support personnel had six days when they had to be in attendance.

“You’ve got three days dedicated to this,” Luck said.

Providence Grove was a site for NCHSAA championship games last March. Now there will be three consecutive days stacked with basketball in the gym.

“We’ll see how it goes and we’re hoping it grows from this,” Brown said.

Revenues from the two sites will be combined and split among the 16 participating schools.

Brown said other benefits could arise from this format. With the girls and boys playing in separate weeks in the past, it made scheduling difficult across those periods because normally girls and boys play doubleheaders. This way, Brown said it frees time in the week prior to Christmas for non-conference games.

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Davidson-Randolph Christmas Classic

The tournament runs Dec. 27-29. Listed below are matchups for Day 1. Game times at both sites will be the same for Day 2 and Day 3 with matchups pending.

At Providence Grove

Girls

Randleman vs. Lexington, 10 a.m.

Asheboro vs. East Davidson, 1 p.m.

Jordan-Matthews vs. Central Davidson, 4 p.m.

Providence Grove vs. West Davidson, 7 p.m.

Boys

Randleman vs. Lexington, 11:30 a.m.

Asheboro vs. East Davidson, 2:30 p.m.

Jordan-Matthews vs. Central Davidson, 5:30 p.m.

Providence Grove vs. West Davidson, 8:30 p.m.

 

At Ledford

Girls

Thomasville vs. SW Randolph, 10 a.m.

Oak Grove vs. Eastern Randolph, 1 p.m.

South Davidson vs. Trinity, 4 p.m.

Ledford vs. Wheatmore, 7 p.m.

Boys

Thomasville vs. SW Randolph, 11:30 a.m.

Oak Grove vs. Eastern Randolph, 2:30 p.m.

South Davidson vs. Trinity, 5:30 p.m.

Ledford vs. Wheatmore, 8:30 p.m.

 

 

Athelete-of-the-Week-Hall

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Gracyn Hall

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Gracyn Hall | Randleman | Girls Basketball

Hall was the leading scorer in two of the Tigers’ three games last week. She averaged 19.3 points in those games as Randleman improved its record to 5-0.

Last week’s victories included two on the road. They won 51-42 at Oak Grove, defeated visiting Ledford 56-35 and then captured their Piedmont Athletic Conference opener by 61-52 at Wheatmore.

Hall, a junior post player, racked up 25 points and 12 rebounds against Oak Grove. The next night, she posted 17 points against Ledford.

Hall had 16 points and 11 rebounds in the Wheatmore game, while teammates Elizabeth York (21 points) and Hannah Hinshaw (17 points, 13 rebounds) were also standouts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dominick Poole at The Citadel

Poole provides big freshman impact

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Former Randleman standout Dominick Poole has been racking up honors after his freshman season with The Citadel football team.

Poole, a defensive back, has received recognition on the Southern Conference and national levels.

Poole was named Freshman of the Year in the Southern Conference by the Southern Conference Sports Media Association.

Poole became The Citadel’s first media Freshman of the Year since 1982. That was the only other time a Bulldog has been honored with that award.

Poole came off the bench in The Citadel’s first two games before starting the final nine. He finished the season with 51 total tackles (27 solo) and had a pair of interceptions, in victories against nationally ranked Virginia Military Institute and Chattanooga. 

With a team-high nine pass breakups, Poole tied for second in the league with 11 passes defended.

One of those was described as one of the biggest plays of the season for the Bulldogs. Poole broke up a pass on a two-point conversion to clinch an overtime victory against Wofford.

In Southern Conference coaches’ awards, Poole was named to the all-freshman defensive team. He was the lone player from The Citadel on that list.

Poole is a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, which goes to the Freshman of the Year in the Football Championship Subdivision. There are 23 players on the ballot. The winner of that award will be announced Dec. 13.

Poole was in his second year in The Citadel program, playing in four games during the reconfigured 2020 season that extended to the spring 2021 semester. That allowed him to preserve a year of eligibility.

The Citadel finished this season with a 4-7 record, with a 3-5 mark in Southern Conference play.

Miss North Carolina Laura Matrazzo rides in a vintage Corvette provided by Wayne Thomas Chevrolet in the 2018 Asheboro Christmas Parade. (The North State Journal)

Five days of Christmas … festivities

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ASHEBORO — Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Shop Local Saturday and Cyber Monday are passed. It’s parade season in Randolph County. You can attend a Christmas parade in the county four straight days starting Thursday. One the fifth day, you can celebrate with The Embers in Randleman.

Here’s a look at the upcoming parades in Randleman, Asheboro, Liberty, Ramseur and Archdale plus a beach-music inspired Christmas concert from the Randolph Guide.

December 2

Randleman Christmas Parade | 7pm

The town’s annual Christmas parade begins at Randleman Elementary School.

December 3

Asheboro Christmas Parade | 7pm

This year’s Christmas parade will involve cars and strollers passing by stationary floats and parade participants. The route will be a circuit along W. Academy Street, Church Street, Sunset Avenue, and Bicentennial Park.

December 4

Liberty Christmas on Main Street | 11am-7pm

The town of Liberty will welcome the Christmas season with their third annual street festival, parade and tree lighting events.

Ramseur Christmas Parade | 5pm

The parade will begin at Leonard Park and proceed to downtown Ramseur.

December 5

Archdale Christmas Parade | 3pm

The Town of Archdale will hold it’s 50th Christmas Parade on Sunday.

December 6

Christmas with The Embers | 6:30pm

North Carolina legends perform Christmas classics at Randleman Elementary School. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door for Adults and $8 for kids. Call 336-495-1100 or purchase tickets at many local businesses in Randleman.

SWR-12

First-round losses end seasons for three area teams

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Southwestern Randolph quarterback Keaton Reed throws the ball against visiting Polk County during the Class 2-A state playoffs in Asheboro on November 5, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL

ASHEBORO — The historic season came to an end for Southwestern Randolph with a 29-14 loss to Polk County on Friday night.

Across the county, Providence Grove lost to Forest Hills. Randleman fell at  traveled Reidsville.

Southwestern Randolph coach Seth Baxter looks to the field after his team game up a 75-yard drive for a touchdown in the second half against Polk County during the Class 2-A state playoffs on November 5, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL

The 16th-seeded Cougars (8-3) finished a historic season where they defeated rival Asheboro at Lee J. Stone Stadium for the first time in school history, set the school record for wins, and was the home team for the first time in the state playoffs.

 

Providence Grove’s Luke Thomas makes a pass against Forest Hills during the Class 2-A state playoffs in Climax on November 5, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Eighth-seeded Providence Grove (8-3) is 0-10 all-time in football playoff games.

The Patriots were undefeated against Class 2-A competition this season. Their losses came to teams (Eastern Randolph and Ledford) with a combined 16-3 record. The Patriots have reached the eight-win mark in each of the past two full seasons (not counting the abbreviated 2020 season that was shifted to this past spring). The Patriots lost 27-26 in overtime to Forest Hills.

Randleman (4-7) made the field as the No. 29 seed in the Class 2-A West Region, earning the Tigers a chance at  fourth-seeded Reidsville (10-0). The Rams have made 27 appearances in state championship games and have won state titles the past three seasons. The chance to play another game was a reward for the Tigers, who picked up some momentum in the middle of the season after beginning with an 0-3 start. The Tigers fell in Reidsville by 49-7.

The lone remaining local football team is No. 1 seed Eastern Randolph (9-0) in the Class 1-A West Region. The Wildcats had a bye and will face 16th-seeded Draughn (6-5) next week in Ramseur.

PG_hcBrown

Football Playoffs: Looking for history

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Providence Grove coach Calvin Brown throws up 1 finger for the extra point after a touchdown against visiting Jordon-Mathews in a non-league game in Climax on September 3, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Providence Grove, Southwestern Randolph seek playoff breakthroughs

ASHEBORO — Three football teams from Randolph County will play in home games to begin the state playoffs, though one of them will have to wait an extra week before playing.

Undefeated Eastern Randolph (9-0) is the No. 1 seed for the Class 1-A West Region, receiving a bye to the second week of the playoffs. That’s when the Wildcats will be slated for a home game Nov. 12 against the Draughn / Elkin winner.

The others will be getting started Friday night. Here’s a look at those matchups.

 Forest Hills at Providence Grove

Providence Grove assistant coach Grant Handy lifts Running back Caleb Rogers in the air after their 40-34 victory against Southwestern Randolph on Oct. 22. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Eighth-seeded Providence Grove (8-2) takes on No. 25 seed Forest Hills (6-4) in a Class 2-A West Region game.

Providence Grove is trying to break through in the postseason. It is 0-9 all-time in football playoff games.

The Patriots are undefeated against Class 2-A competition this season. Their losses came to teams (Eastern Randolph and Ledford) with a combined 16-3 record.

Forest Hills won three consecutive games before falling 38-9 at Monroe in the regular-season finale. In each of the Yellow Jackets’ last three losses they’ve surrendered at least 38 points.

Providence Grove has scored 40 or more points in seven of its eight victories. Topping that list was last week’s 66-12 victory at Wheatmore, with seven players scoring at least one touchdown.

The Patriots have reached the eight-win mark in each of the past two full seasons (not counting the abbreviated 2020 season that was shifted to this past spring).

Friday night’s winner will advance to meet the winner of the Community School of Davidson / East Gaston game. Providence Grove will be home again if it wins in the first round.

Polk County at Southwestern Randolph

Southwestern Randolph’s defensive front matches up with South Stanly in a game at Ivey B.Luck Stadium at Southwestern Randolph on August 27, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Also in Class 2-A, 16th-seeded Southwestern Randolph (8-2) is amid a historic season. This just adds to it.

The Cougars have set a school record for wins. This will be the program’s first home state-playoff game.

The next thing to mark off the list: Win a game in the state playoffs for the first time.

“We’ve had a great year,” coach Seth Baxter said. “Anytime you’re the only one to do something, that’s special. This is new to this community.”

Southwestern Randolph’s Adam Cole runs against Asheboro in a non-conference game at Lee J. Stone Stadium in Asheboro on September 24, 2021. SWR won 17-7 winning at Asheboro for the first time in school history. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL

The Cougars have racked up the most points in a season in school history. Six times they’ve eclipsed the 40-point mark.

Baxter said the players have embraced the season.

“They work as hard on the practice field as they do on the game field,” he said. “They’re just looking forward to playing this week.”

This will be the first meeting between the Cougars and No. 17 seed Polk County.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us this week,” Baxter said.

The winner will face either top-seeded Shelby or 32nd–seeded Black Mountain Owen in the second round.

Randleman at Reidsville

Randleman quarterback Christian Long makes a pass against Eastern Randolph’s John Maness during the regular-season finale at Randleman on October 29, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randleman (4-6) made the field as the No. 29 seed in the West Region in Class 2-A.

The Tigers will go to fourth-seeded Reidsville (9-0), which has made 27 appearances in state championship games and has won state titles the past three seasons.

The chance to play another game is a reward for the Tigers. They picked up some momentum in the middle of the season after beginning with an 0-3 start.

“We’re a better football team now than after that Asheboro game (to open the season),” Randleman coach Shane Timmons said.

The Tigers have lost three of their last four games.

Friday’s winner will face either Chase or Pine Lake Prep.

 

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ER, Providence Grove, SWR to open football playoffs at home

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ASHEBORO — Three football teams from Randolph County will play in home games to begin the state playoffs, though one of them will have to wait an extra week before playing.

Undefeated Eastern Randolph (9-0) is the No. 1 seed for the Class 1-A West Region, receiving a bye to the second week of the playoffs. That’s when the Wildcats will be slated for a home game Nov. 12 against the Draughn / Elkin winner.

Eighth-seeded Providence Grove (8-2) and 16th-seeded Southwestern Randolph (8-2) will open the Class 2-A states at home Friday night.

Providence Grove takes on No. 25 seed Forest Hills. The winner will advance to the winner of the Community School of Davidson / East Gaston game. Providence Grove will be home again if it wins its first playoff game.

Southwestern Randolph is home against No. 17 seed Polk County. The winner will face either top-seeded Shelby or 32nd–seeded Black Mountain Owen in the second round.

Randleman (4-6) made the field as the No. 29 seed in the West Region. The Tigers will go to fourth-seeded Reidsville (9-0), which has made 27 appearances in state championship games and has won state titles the past three seasons.

ER-4

Prep Football Roundup: Wildcats complete unbeaten regular season with blanking of Randleman

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Na’heim Lilly runs for a touchdown during Eastern Randolph’s road victory at Randleman on Friday night. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL

ASHEBORO — Eastern Randolph completed an undefeated regular season by whipping host Randleman 46-0 on Friday night.

The Wildcats (9-0 overall, 5-0 Piedmont Athletic Conference) received four touchdowns from Na’heim Lilly and two touchdowns from Elias Alston in securing the outright league title.

Eastern Randolph coach Burton Cates walks on the sidelines in the fourth quarter against Randleman during the final regular-season game at Randleman on October 29, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Lilly’s 34-yard run opened the scoring in the first quarter. He added a 2-yard run in the second quarter. He finished with 174 rushing yards on 20 carries.

Alston caught two touchdown passes from Stratton Barwick, the latter on a 52-yard play.

The Wildcats have posted shutouts in back-to-back games.

Randleman’s Errvod Cassady rushes for a first down against Eastern Randolph during the final regular-season game at Randleman on October 29, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randleman (4-6, 2-3), which lost three of its last four games, was limited to 136 yards of total offense.

The Tigers had won the past three meetings with Eastern Randolph.

Providence Grove 66, Wheatmore 12: At Trinity, Luke Thomas threw for three touchdowns as Providence Grove won its third game in a row to complete the regular season.

The Patriots (8-2, 4-1) will be the top seed out of the PAC for the Class 2-A state bracket because Eastern Randolph is a Class 1-A team.

Zane Cheek and Caleb Rogers both scored two touchdowns for the Patriots. Zander Cheek, Zach Lohr and Lemuel Coltrane all caught touchdown passes. Chase Whitaker and Logan Fox had touchdowns on interception returns.

Providence Grove led 35-0 in the second quarter.

Wheatmore (3-6, 0-5) received touchdowns from Reece Linton and Perry Welch.

Southwestern Randolph 53, Trinity 6: At Asheboro, Easton Clapp scored three touchdowns and had a big game on defense as Southwestern Randolph capped the best regular season in school history with a home romp.

The Cougars (8-2, 3-2) ended up in third place in the PAC.

Clapp scored on runs of 40, 33 and 20 yards as part of gaining 127 rushing yards. He also intercepted two passes and made a tackle for a safety. He was credited with 10 tackles.

Teammate Adam Cole compiled 107 yards of total offense, scoring on runs of 7 and 5 yards. Keaton Reed, who threw for a touchdown and ran for a touchdown, passed for 150 yards. Bryson Reid made a touchdown catch.

Trinity (4-6, 1-4) finished the season on a three-game losing streak.

Montgomery Central 32, Asheboro 14: Wednesday night at Troy, Asheboro ended its season with a road loss and its ninth straight defeat overall.

The Blue Comets (1-9, 0-5 Mid-Piedmont Conference) won their opener at Randleman but never repeated that kind of result.

Asheboro scored on a Charles Perry run and on Tyshaun Goldston’s touchdown catch on a pass from Khyland Hadley-Lindsay in the finale.

Montgomery Central (1-8, 1-4) snapped a 12-game losing streak.

 

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Randleman tops Pine Lake in volleyball playoffs

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Randleman’s Hannah Hinshaw spikes the ball against Pine Lake Prep in the Class 2-A West bracket state playoffs in Randleman on October 23, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL

RANDLEMAN — Randleman topped Pine Lake to advance to the second round of the Class 2-A state volleyball playoffs Saturday afternoon.

The 13th-seeded Tigers defeated the 20th-seed Pride in straight sets to improve to 19-6.

Randleman’s Chloe Dixon, left, and Karli Kennington react after winning a point against Pine Lake Prep in the Class 2-A West bracket state playoffs in Randleman on October 23, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL

The Pride opened a 7-2 lead in the first set. Later tied at 16-16, Randleman and Pine Lake traded the lead with the Tigers ultimately taking the set 25-22. Randleman led the entire way in the second set that ended 25-22.

The final set was all Tigers, who cruised in a 25-16 result.

Randleman coach Kerry Mitchell reacts to a point won against Pine Lake Prep in the Class 2-A West bracket state playoffs in Randleman on October 23, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Tigers coach Kerry Mitchell said her team had “a lot more energy and focus” than it had in a semifinal loss in the conference tournament to eventual champion Uwharrie Charter Academy.

“Today was win or go home,” Mitchell said.

After falling behind in the first set, Mitchell said she talked to her team during a timeout to remind the players of their scouting report on the Pride.

“We talked about serving tougher,” she said. “I told them to push through.”

Randleman’s Lauren McCain gets the block against Pine Lake Prep in the Class 2-A West bracket state playoffs in Randleman on October 23, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL

 

 

 

Hannah Hinshaw had 22 kills and 14 digs. Chloe Dixon had eight kills, 10 digs and three aces. Kylie Vaughan had seven kills and 19 digs. Gabi Carter had five kills and nine digs. Karli Kennington had 24 digs and Kenzie Roach had 43 assists.

The Tigers will travel Tuesday to face fourth-seeded Lincoln Charter.

“We have to make sure we come off the bus ready to play,” Mitchell said.

 

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