ASHEBORO — Southwestern Randolph knocked off Piedmont Athletic Conference regular-season champion Providence Grove on the opening night of the state playoffs in boys’ basketball Tuesday night.
Uwharrie Charter Academy and Trinity will continue their boys’ seasons. Asheboro, Randleman and Eastern Randolph bowed out along with Providence Grove.
In Class 2-A, Southwestern Randolph, which holds the No. 25 seed in the West Region, won 61-58 a rare in-county road playoff game against No. 8 seed Providence Grove.
No. 30 seed Randleman traveled to Shelby, losing 52-47.
In Class 3-A, No. 13 seed Asheboro, fresh off capturing the Mid-Piedmont Conference Tournament title Friday night, couldn’t solve No. 20 North Lincoln in a 68-51 home defeat.
UCA, which is the highest seeded Randolph County boys’ team with a No. 3 seed in Class 1-A, turned back former conference foe Albermarle, No. 30 seed, by 63-51 in Ulah.
Also in Class 1-A, No. 18 Eastern Randolph Wildcats lost by 89-54 at No. 2 seed Winston-Salem Prep.
ASHEBORO — Four Randolph County girls’ basketball teams advanced to the second round of the state playoffs with wins Tuesday night, while two others saw their seasons end.
Uwharrie Charter Academy, Randleman, Southwestern Randolph and Wheatmore cruised in their first-round playoff games.
UCA, a No. 3 seed in Class 1-A in the West Region, topped No. 30 seed Bradford Prep 54-38. Also in Class 1-A, Eastern Randolph fell short in a 65-62 loss to Cherokee.
Randleman, the top seed in the Class 2-A, dominated No. 32 seed Shelby Burns with a 64-17 victory.
No. 11 seed Southwestern Randolph was a 49-38 winner against No. 22 seed Bandys with a home win at Castelloe Gym.
No. 14 seed Wheatmore won 61-42 against No. 19 seed Monroe. Meanwhile, Providence Grove suffered a 71-25 road loss to Shelby.
RALEIGH — An Asheboro student has been named a finalist for N.C. State’s top merit scholarship. Kaitlyn Ann Gainey, a senior at SouthwesternRandolph High School, has been named a finalist for the Park Scholarship. The Park Scholarships program announced that 112 finalists were named from 2,260 applicants from across the United States.
Gainey is her school’s Beta Club chapter president and a member of the SkillsUSA four–man building team. She also is the Randolph County School System’s CTE Presidential Scholar, a Randolph County Sports Council “UnsungHero” Award recipient, and a former member of the Student LIFT (Leadership Information For Tomorrow) program where she completed a self–organized community service project called “Books for Ramseur.” Gainey plans to major in civil engineering.
Started in 1996, the Park Scholarship selects students based on outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The scholarship is named for the late Roy H. Park, a 1931 NC State alumnus who created the charitable Park Foundation, dedicated to education, media, and the environment. Approximately 40 scholarships will be awarded this year to outstanding high school seniors for undergraduate study in any discipline at NC State.
The Southwestern Randolph Cougars hold the state championship banner after their win against Camden County Bruins in the 2A State Championship volleyball match at Valvano Arena at Historic Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, NC on November 6th, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
RALEIGH — The Cougars of Southwestern Randolph are once again state champions in volleyball.
Southwestern Randolph Cougars head coach Darby Kennedy talks to her team during a timeout against Camden County Bruins during the 2A State Championship volleyball match at Valvano Arena at Historic Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, NC on November 6th, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
The Cougars faced a Camden County Bruins team that was undefeated and had only lost one set all season. The Cougars started quickly at Reynolds Coliseum on the campus of NC State Saturday with a first set win. The Bruins came back to tie the match at one set apiece. After dropping the second set, SWR took the next two sets to seal the championship.
“It’s huge for our girls, coaches, the whole school and community,” said SWR athletic director Chris Chapman in an interview with North State Journal in Raleigh. “They really came out and supported our team this year and I couldn’t be happier.”
Southwestern Randolph Cougars (2) Coley Shiflet dives for the dig against Camden County Bruins during the 2A State Championship volleyball match PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
The win marks the third state championship in volleyball for the Cougars. They won back-to-back championships in 1991 and 1992.
Southwestern Randolph Cougars Molly Strider and Camden County Bruins Kenison Parker received the Sportsmanship award with Commissioner Que Tucker after the 2A State Championship volleyball match in Raleigh, NC on November 6th, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Coley Shiflet won the MVP award and Molly Strider won the sportsmanship award.
“When we won that first set, I feel like our team got a little bit too cocky,” said Shiflet in a post-game interview. “Then we realized in the second set that we are actually going to have to play.”
Southwestern Randolph Cougars Coley Shiflet won the MVP award stands with Randolph County Superintendent Stephen Gainey after the 2A State Championship volleyball match. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
On winning the MVP award, Shiflet said she wasn’t expecting it. “Usually the people that get awards are the hitters and not the defensive players,” said Shiflet. Shiflet was visible throughout the match and made several dives to keep the ball in the air for the Cougars.
After advancing to the championship game over number one seeded East Surry in the western regional, the Cougars faced the east’s number one seed in undefeated Camden County. “We talked about how that undefeated thing can be good and bad.,” said head coach Darby Kennedy after the match. “We’ve lost to some big teams and we know how to win against big teams.”
Kennedy said winning the first set was critical. “We know how to battle back from a loss and we know how to battle back from one set down but, do they?”
Camden did bounce back after losing only their second set of the season. Kennedy echoed her MVP’s comment on the Cougars second set performance. “I think that confidence was way up there … you’ve got an undefeated team and you just beat them pretty good.” said Kennedy. “We talked about it. In that third set we got recomposed.”
After taking the third set easily, the Cougars jumped out to a lead in the fourth set but errors allowed the Bruins to close the gap as the Cougars played towards championship point. “We played full of emotion today so there was a roller coaster of highs and lows.,” said Kennedy. “In that fourth set, the leadership from the seniors, they really stepped up.”
Students from SWR cheer on the Cougars during the 2A State Championship volleyball match at Historic Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, NC on November 6th, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Kennedy said the win is big for the entire Randolph County community. “All of us have been chasing state titles for awhile. Wheatmore made it here not too long ago, Asheboro made it here,” said Kennedy. “These coaches, I’ve looked up to. They really supported me … I really feel supported by our entire community. Everybody is here and it’s a blessing.”
The Cougars navigated a Piedmont Athletic Conference with an undefeated regular season and Kennedy credited that gauntlet, including a loss to Uwharrie Charter in the conference tournment, with her team’s resilience in the state tournament. “I would love to see if there is a tougher 2A conference in our state,” said Kennedy. “I give credit to [conference opponents] because we wouldn’t be here if they didn’t push us.”
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.
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.
Southwestern Randolph’s Carleigh Whitson digs the ball against East Surry during the Class 2-A West Regional final at East Surry in Pilot Mountain on November 2, 2021. Southwestern Randolph won 3-2. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
PILOT MOUNTAIN — The Southwestern Randolph Cougars will play for the Class 2-A state volleyball championship at Reynolds Coliseum on the North Carolina State campus in Raleigh after defeating host East Surry in five sets Tuesday night.
The Cougars (27-5) will face Camden County at 11 a.m. Saturday in the state final.
Southwestern Randolph’s Molly Strider dives for the dig against East Surry during the Class 2-A West Regional final at East Surry in Pilot Mountain on November 2, 2021. Southwestern Randolph won 3-2. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
The Cougars dropped the first set before taking a 2-1 advantage. After a close fourth set, the Cougars closed out the match with a 15-12 winner-take-all final set.
Southwestern Randolph’s Payton Shiflet dives to save the ball against East Surry during the fifth set of the Class 2-A West Regional final at East Surry in Pilot Mountain on November 2, 2021. Southwestern Randolph won 3-2. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Payton Shiflet had 34 kills and 21 digs, Josie Allred had 16 kills and two blocks, Madelyn Smith had 10 kills, Raegan LeRoy had 61 assists and 10 digs and Coley Shiflet had 25 digs.
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.
Providence Grove’s Caleb Rogers runs the ball against visiting Southwestern Randolph during a 40-34 victory in a PAC game at Climax on October 22, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
CLIMAX – Providence Grove struck the final and most decisive blows to pull out a 40-34 victory against visiting Southwestern Randolph in a key Piedmont Athletic Conference football clash Friday night.
The Patriots used a 96-yard drive after recovering a fourth-quarter fumble for the go-ahead points.
“We were resilient and kept on fighting and found a way,” Providence Grove coach Calvin Brown said.
The outcome means that Providence Grove (7-2, 3-1 PAC) will secure second place in the conference, yet that Patriots will be the league’s No. 1 seed for the Class 2-A state playoffs because league champion Eastern Randolph is slated for Class 1-A. The Wildcats are the only 1-A team in the Piedmont Athletic Conference.
Southwestern Randolph’s Easton Clapp runs for a first down against Providence Grove during a PAC game. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
A reversal of Friday night’s outcome would have had Southwestern Randolph (7-2, 2-2) in that coveted spot.
“It’s a tough one to swallow,” Southwestern Randolph coach Seth Baxter said. “I felt like we had our chances. This hurts about as much as any I’ve had. … I feel like we did good enough to win. We made two turnovers and they made zero.”
Southwestern Randolph’s Bryson Reid makes the catch and scores a touchdown against Providence Grove during a PAC game October 22, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Providence Grove’s Caleb Rogers ran for 108 yards on 23 carries with a touchdown and racked up 115 receiving yards. That was more than half of quarterback Luke Thomas’ 212 passing yards.
“Rogers and Thomas were dynamite,” Baxter said.
Chase Whitaker scored on each of his four carries for Providence Grove.
The Patriots were playing their third game in an eight-night span. They won the final two of those after a loss at Eastern Randolph.
Providence Grove assistant coach Grant Handy lifts running back Caleb Rogers in the air after a 40-34 victory against Southwestern Randolph earned the Patriots the top Class 2-A seed from the league to the state playoffs. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
“We’re a good football team and we’re going to continue to get better,” Brown said.
For Southwestern Randolph, Easton Clapp ran for two touchdowns as part of a 14-carry, 114-yard rushing outing. Keaton Reed had a rushing touchdown and threw to Bryson Reid for a touchdown. Adam Cole returned a kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown as the Cougars built a 27-25 lead.
Even with a 34-25 edge, Southwestern Randolph couldn’t hang on.
Eastern Randolph 60, Wheatmore 0: At Ramseur, Na’hiem Lilly scored four touchdowns as the host Wildcats clinched the PAC championship.
Eastern Randolph (8-0, 4-0), which led 53-0 at halftime, secured its first shutout of the season.
Malachi Letterlough, Elias Alston, Delonte Glover and Landon Loflin were also credited with touchdowns. Two of those came on Stratton Barwick passes. Linebacker John Maness returned an interception for a touchdown.
Wheatmore (3-5, 0-4) has failed to score more than 14 points in its four league games.
Randleman 25, Trinity 14: At Trinity, Evrodd Cassady ran for three touchdowns and a two-point conversion for the visiting Tigers (4-5, 2-2).
Cassady finished with 137 rushing yards on 25 carries. His touchdown runs came from 6, 19 and 1 yards out. Chris Gentry added a 30-yard field goal and was 2-for-2 on extra-point kicks.
Trinity (4-5, 1-3) scored the first and final touchdowns. Dominic Payne threw 19 yards to Landon Carter for the game’s first points and followed that with a two-point conversion pass to Jason Brown. The last points came on Payne’s 13-yard run for the only points in the fourth quarter. Payne threw for 105 yards and rushed for 66 yards.
Ledford 42, Asheboro 7: At Asheboro, the host Blue Comets dropped their home finale, falling to 0-5 at Lee J. Stone Stadium.
Asheboro (1-8, 0-4 Mid-Piedmont Conference) gave up 14 points in each of the first three quarters. Ledford (7-2, 2-2) benefited from two touchdowns by Alex Sanford and two touchdown passes by Nathan Carr.
Southwestern Randolph’s Carleigh Whitson sets the ball for her teammate against Forbush in the NCHSAA 2A West bracket playoffs at Southwestern Randolph in Asheboro, NC on October 23, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
ASHEBORO — Following a five-set loss to Uwharrie Charter on Wednesday in the Piedmont Athletic Cnference Tournament championship, the second-seeded Southwestern Randolph Cougars volleyball team opened the state playoffs in Castelloe Gym by defeating visiting Forbush.
Southwestern Randolph’s Coley Shiflet sets the ball against Forbush in the Class 2-A West bracket state playoffs at Southwestern Randolph in Asheboro on October 23, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
The Cougars, who let a two-set lead evaporate in their loss Wednesday, kept their intensity against the visiting Falcons on Saturday to advance with a straight sets win.
Southwestern Randolph took the match 25-15, 25-8, 25-13.
Cougars coach Darby Kennedy said her team came in prepared to finish, unlike the conference tournament final.
“Wednesday night’s game, we came in with a little too much confidence and too much comfort,” said Kennedy. “We expected to win. Today, we didn’t know how big of a fight we would have.” She said the loss to UCA “taught us a good lesson.”
Kennedy’s team had control of the match after two sets and held on through the decisive third set.
“In that third set today, we let them come back a little bit,” Kennedy said. “We pushed through and finished strong.”
Southwestern Randolph’s Alyssa Harbor blocks the shot of Forbush’s Addison Harrell in the Class 2-A West bracket playoffs at Southwestern Randolph in Asheboro on October 23, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
The Cougars were actively communicating during the match and Kennedy credited the team’s preparation for the efficiency.
“These gyms have been loud this year, which has been awesome,” she said. “That communication is key in the huddle and during plays.”
Southwestern Randolph’s players cheer after winning a point against Forbush in the Class 2-A West bracket playoffs at Southwestern Randolph in Asheboro on October 23, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Kennedy said the team spent two days getting ready for the playoffs and focused on individual skills for each player.
“It was a solid game and our serve-receive was solid,” Kennedy said.
The Cougars will be home against against No. 15 seed Hendersonville on Tuesday.
Southwestern Randolph’s Bryson Reid makes the catch and scores a touchdown against Providence Grove during a PAC game October 22, 2021. PJ WARD-BROWN/NORTH STATE JOURNAL
