Southwestern Randolph duo hopes to win fourth straight holiday title this weekend

ASHEBORO — There have been some incredible duos in Randolph County girls high school basketball history over the past 20 years. Asheboro’s Tanaesha Ellison and Diamond McDowell, Randleman’s Gracyn Hall and Elizabeth York, Southwestern Randolph’s Kaila Craven and Lauren LaPlant and Eastern Randolph’s Kelly Smith and Brittni Young were all duos who won’t soon be forgotten after leading their teams to success year after year.

The latest duo for SWR includes two players who will certainly finish high in the list of top players to ever don a SWR jersey. Seniors Maddie Strider and Jordin George have been mainstays in a program that is 76-17 since the two first stepped on the basketball floor for their freshman seasons in 2022.

“It’s one of those things where I don’t know what it would be like to not have them,” veteran SWR coach Seth Baxter said. “Watching them grow up in the youth leagues, that first summer and first workout (before their freshman seasons), I knew they would be on varsity. 

“They are high-caliber, good kids on and off the court. They come from strong families, they are coachable. The best word I can use to describe them is winners. They want to compete and do what’s best for the team.”

Both players said they remember playing on those youth teams, which was the start of two incredible basketball careers.

“Me and Jordin have played together since kindergarten,” Strider said. “I don’t think there was a season where we haven’t been on the same team. We’ve been able to work well together. It’s fun to play with Jordin and the connection we’ve built. We trust each other.”

The roles may have changed a bit over their careers, with Strider remaining in the backcourt and George morphing into what would be called a swing player, but both have experienced an incredible amount of success that is very evident every time they step on the floor together.

“Over the years, we’ve learned about each other, where one of us likes the ball, where they are going to be,” George said. “We’ve become so comfortable and familiar with each other. We set screens for each other, handoffs. We feed off each other a lot.”

Both have the ability to take a game over. While most people concentrate on scoring, the duo adds a lot more than just points. Strider has the knack of settling down an offense, getting players into the proper position and offering encouragement to those experiencing rough patches. She is incredible from 3-point range and there may not be a better free-throw shooter in the area.

George is electric with quick, darting moves to the basket. She has an array of underneath shots and can put up points from all over the floor.

Both are strong rebounders and fun to watch with the ball in their hands.

“They both have matured on the court in the fact that they are proof positive that, yes, they are scorers, but they do so many other things that have led to our success,” Baxter said. “Deflections, steals, rebounding, assists, and when your two best players are also your hardest working who will do whatever it takes for winning plays, you’re going to be successful. 

“I know I have put a lot on them, but they have earned that trust. This is our last ride together and I want to enjoy every moment I have left with them.”

The next moments will take place at the SportsTone.net Christmas Invitational, which begins Saturday at Asheboro High School. The Cougars will play at 4 p.m. against Chatham Charter (3-8).

“We’ve definitely been talking about it in practice,” said George, whose SWR teams have won all three holiday tournaments they have played in. “We’re excited. We want to continue to improve each game and win it. Four years would be an accomplishment.”

And they would do it together.