ER adds eight to its Hall of Fame

RAMSEUR — While a freshman at Eastern Randolph High School, James Lowe experienced the ultimate thrill for someone competing in athletics. Called up to the varsity baseball team as the Wildcats made a run for the 1998 state championship, it was Lowe who was on the mound for the final out as ER won the state 2-A title with a Game 3 win over Whiteville.

Now Lowe and seven other ER graduates have earned another honor as they were inducted into the ER Hall of Fame this past weekend during the Wildcats’ football game with Parkwood. Lowe (2001), Eric Hall (1982), Jeff Patterson (1982), Darren Beasley (1999), Bonika Terry (2007), Josh Moore (2006), Kim Burgess (1999) and Dwight Thomas (1979) were enshrined after illustrious athletic careers at ERHS.

Lowe, who graduated from Brown and has gone on to introduce Coach Ballgame to the world, said he’ll always remember that game, which was held at NC State University.

“It was a curveball in the dirt and the batter swung and Darren Beasley blocked it and swung it down to Morgan Frazier at first and I remember all these guys who I really respected corral me on the mound and I had my hands raised,” said Lowe, who remembers the event as if it were yesterday. “I remember Coach Harold Kivett just smiling, we finally got one. It was Harold Kivett, Coach (Tommy) Maness, Neill Kivett and Cecil (Mock) and Danny Martin. That was a crazy experience, especially for a freshman.”

Lowe also excelled in football during his prep career and received the phone call about the Hall of Fame from veteran ER football coach Burton Cates, who is still the head coach at the school.

“He said I wanted to be the one to tell you,” Lowe said of the phone call. “The memories just rushed back to all the teachers and coaches and all the different sports. It made me feel proud that I will be honored by people I respected so much.”

He was all-conference and all-county in both football and baseball.

Now residing in California, Lowe travels the world as social media megastar Coach Ballgame, leading youth baseball camps, which emphasize team play and sportsmanship with positive messages to all players ages 12 and under.

“Coach Ballgame is an overnight success 20 years in the making,” said Lowe, who has been to MLB All-Star Games, London, Cooperstown, the Field of Dreams and numerous other venues. “Baseball has been very good to me.”

Lowe is in a movie titled “Rally Caps,” which was recently released and available on some streaming services.

Hall, like so many others, came back to teach, coach and act as athletic director at his former school. As a student-athlete, he played football and baseball and was a key member of the 1981 baseball team that finished runner-up in the state.

“It’s an honor to be recognized, it’s certainly not something you think about while you’re playing,” Hall said. “It’s an honor to be considered and be nominated.”

Hall said he remembers as a freshman being able to play on the varsity football team, joining his older brother Ikey on the team. Hall played baseball at Ferrum and then UNC Wilmington before returning to Randolph County and spending time as a teacher, coach, AD and then in administration. He was on the ER football coaching staff when the Wildcats won the 2006 state championship.

Patterson was also a 1982 graduate who excelled in football, basketball and baseball. He won numerous awards, including multiple all-county and all-conference honors and was the player of the year in football in 1981. He was on the first team to win a conference tournament championship in basketball at ER and surpassed the 1,000-point mark. He has earned Team Before Self and Most Improved Awards and he went on to play at football and baseball at NC A&T University 

Patterson is coaching the girls basketball team at Chatham Charter, which finished as state runner-up in 2022.

Beasley (1999) was a three-sport star, playing football, basketball and baseball. He was a catcher on the 1988 state championship baseball team and went on to play baseball at Yale, where he was named to the all-Ivy League team.

He became an educator in Randolph County and is currently a member of the AHS baseball coaching staff.

“I would like to thank my parents and brothers for their unwavering sacrifices, commitment, and support throughout my athletic and academic journey,” he said. “Your encouragement was instrumental to my success. I also want to express my appreciation to my extended family for their ongoing support and belief in me. A special thank you goes to all my coaches for imparting the knowledge, courage and guidance necessary to succeed.”

Terry (2007) was an extraordinary student-athlete, not only excelling in softball, volleyball and swimming, but off the sports venues as well. She was all-county, all-conference and all-state in softball, earning numerous team awards throughout her career. She also was a member of the football program, helping the coaches and players, even continuing her duties the night she was named Homecoming Queen.

“It’s a blessing,” Terry said about the induction. “I’d like to thank my parents for providing me direction, my sister for being my inspiration and role model and the coaches and staff that believed in me.” 

Terry attended Winston-Salem State.

A 1979 graduate, Thomas was all-county and all-conference in basketball and football. He was named the team’s best back and earned the Team Before Self Award. 

As a baseball player in 1979, the left-handed hurler struck out 102 in 62⅓ innings pitched. He was voted team MVP that season. 

After graduation, he attended Gardner-Webb University for baseball and football. He is now an umpire for baseball.

“I would like to thank my former coaches and my former teammates. I would also like to thank Eastern Randolph, I just wanted to represent the Green and Gold to the best of my ability,” he said.

A 2006 graduate, Moore was an exceptional wrestler and football player. Moore was named an all-state wrestler in 2005 and acted as the team’s captain and his heroic deeds in the military earned him many honors. After his graduation, he spent one season at Wesleyan College and then transferred to Liberty University to wrestle. 

In 2009, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He continued his education and graduated in 2019 from the Citadel, earning a degree in Civil Engineering.

On May 19 of this year, Moore was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as an Outstanding American for his heroics in  Afghanistan. As a sniper while in battle, he sacrificed his body as two grenades were thrown in his direction and his immediate reaction led to him tossing one grenade away while the other didn’t detonate. Because of his decisive leadership, bravery and heroism, Moore was awarded the Navy Cross. He also has received the Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone Award for Courage and Commitment. 

A 1999 graduate, Burgess starred in volleyball and basketball. She had incredible vision in both sports, acting as point guard with the uncanny ability to drive to the basket. She was a three-year starter.

“I’m honored, grateful,” she said of being inducted. “I loved playing, the competition. I remember having to come back in games and the coaches keeping us motivated. And the crowd was always into it.”

She is now in education, real estate and coaching in middle school.