In a Big 8 Conference that appears to be as deep as any time in recent memory, there was little reason to think that Orange’s league opener against East Chapel Hill would be lopsided.
Both matchups between the two teams last year were one-point games, with East winning in overtime on January 5. Orange got revenge three weeks later, 50-49, in Hillsborough.
Both teams returned almost all of its players from last year, so why should this year be any different?
Instead of another nail biter on Tuesday night, Orange fans were treated to the most lopsided Panther win over East Chapel Hill ever.
Joey McMullin scored 19 points while Jason Franklin scored 18. Machai Holt added 15 as the Panthers routed the Wildcats 82-32 at Panther Gymnasium in front of many alumni who journeyed in from various college during winter break to visit the old stomping grounds and witness…well, a stomping.
Former Big 8 Player of the Year Connor Crabtree, ex-Orange defensive end and forward Ryan Sellers and former linebacker Taison Farrington were just a few folks on hand.
From the time Franklin opened the game with a three-pointer, the rout was on. East was without its second-leading scorer Miles Merriweather, who was in a walking boot after suffering an injury against the North Carolina School of Science and Math on Friday. Merriweather, who scored 16 and eleven points against Orange last year, left a void along the glass that Orange was more than eager to take advantage of.
The Panthers, paced by two early 3-pointers from J.J. Thompson, led 26-11 at the end of the first quarter. Orange hit five 3-pointers in the opening stanza, including a pair from Franklin.
There was no led up in the second quarter, even though McMullin scored four points. Franklin finished with 13 points in the first half, while Brooks had eight.
“We’re hitting out shots,” said Holt. “If we’re hitting out shots, we just keep going and going.”
McMullin scored 15 points in the second half, which went quicker than usual. Orange led by 40 points with 4:45 remaining in the third quarter, which triggered a running clock.
After they missed the state playoffs the past two years, the Panthers have had a year to immerse themselves under Coach Derryl Britt’s system. After a 10-15 season last year, Orange looks more comfortable this year.
There’s also familiarity. Holt, McMullen and Franklin have played on the same team since they were in 5th grade.
“That’s when we were trash,” McMullen said. “I was horrible. I couldn’t walk or dribble at the same time. I’ve gotten better since then.”
“That’s true,” Holt chimed in.
Orange will have one more game before Christmas, and its a visit from none other than the defending 3A Eastern Regional Champions. The Williams Bulldogs will come calling to Orange Gymnasium on Wednesday night.
Williams defeated Eastern Alamance 58-49 at Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville last March to advance to the 3A State Championship game. Southwest Guilford defeated the Bulldogs 67-60 for the title.
Williams returns only four players from last year’s team, but it does include Kennedy Miles, who was second on the team with 15.2 points per game.
Williams handled Orange 86-63 in Burlington last November.
ORANGE 82, EAST CHAPEL HILL 32
EAST CHAPEL HILL: Will Tyndall 8, Marquez Cotton 5, Eric Lu 5, Martez Cotton 9, Anton Enoch 5.
ORANGE: J.J. Thompson 6, Jerec Thompson 6, Jason Franklin 18, Joey McMullin 19, Machai Holt 15, Kendrell Brooks 10, Tucker Miller 3, Hunter Birch 1, Jared Wood 3.