Month: May 2021

As Takia Nichols prepared to announce her destination to play college softball, she wanted three things.

The first was a program with teammates that she could bond with, just as she’s grown close to so many of her teammates at Cedar Ridge. The second was dugout energy, like what she saw when North Carolina Central faced North Carolina A&T at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary last month. The Eagle-Aggie rivalry is, by no means, limited to only the gridiron and the hardwood. When Joirea Dumas hit a walkoff single for Central in the bottom of the 10th inning to win 6-5, her Eagle teammates swarmed the field and mobbed her in celebration.

The third was a focus on her professional future for a career in crime forensics. It’s an area that her coach, Allen Byrd, is very familiar with. Byrd, who helped Nichols throughout the process of making her college decision, is an Assistant Chief with the Mebane Police Department.

On Friday night, Nichols made her decision final.

She was going to North Carolina Central.

Before she tweeted the official word, Nichols called Byrd to inform him. By that point, Byrd and his wife Brenda were cruising down Highway 17 near Brunswick County for their Memorial Day vacation.

As Brenda constantly reminds her husband, trips to Shallotte bring back unpleasant memories of Cedar Ridge’s crushing 4-3 loss in nine innings to West Brunswick in the third round of the 2018 3A State Playoffs. It ended the greatest season in Red Wolf softball history. Cedar Ridge was 17-1 and won the Big 8 Conference championship with a 14-0 record. The night ended with Byrd’s best player, Tori Dalehite, going to the hospital to treat a broken hand. After a four-hour bus ride back to Hillsborough, Byrd reported to work the following morning with no sleep. Four years later, he’s still not sure the right team won that night.

“I always throw my finger out where I ride past Brunswick County,” Byrd jokes. “But it’s only my index finger.”

The following year, Nichols was a freshman when the Red Wolves faced West Carteret in the 2nd round of the state playoffs. Before the game, Byrd treated his team to a walk along the beach near Morehead City. Hours later in the fourth inning, Nichols crushed a fastball over the left field fence that disappeared into the trees. It was the eighth home run of her career. Cedar Ridge would advance 6-3.

Nichols, the 2021 Big 8 Conference Player of the Year, is the all-time home run hitter in Cedar Ridge history with 26 in 42 games. This year, Nichols hit 13 home runs and 38 RBIs, both tops in the Big 8.

Marshall, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T and Winston-Salem State showed interest in Nichols. Ultimately, Nichols said NCCU was the best fit for several reasons.

“I absolutely wanted to attend an HBCU,” Nichols said. “That was important to me. I love the energy that the Central players have. There’s nothing like that at any other place in softball. I saw that when they played A&T. That was the first thing that attracted me to Central.”

Central had reached out to Nichols during her junior year. Byrd knew several members of Central’s coaching staff.

“They were already looking at her,” Byrd said. “Knowing what type of kid she is and what type of student she is, it really worked out. It was truly great to see because when you see kids that work hard like she does, it’s great. Takia did it all herself.”

Nichols grew acclimated to the environment of HBCU softball several years ago when she traveled to Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina during an individual camp.

“That opened my eyes,” Nichols said. “It was a whole new world. It reminded me of Cedar Ridge. I wanted to be at a place where the team is close. I want to have teammates with a friendship like me and Ava (Lowry, a Red Wolf shortstop who has committed to North Carolina Wesleyan) have. You can’t beat that.”

Nichols has also played summer travel ball with the N.C. Rockers, the Carolina Cardinals and the N.C. Firecrackers.

As for life after softball, Nichols wants to follow in her coach’s footsteps. She’s looking into criminal forensics.

“Allen has been very involved in this whole process,” Nichols said. “He’s met with coaches and talked with my mom. And he’s told me about what I life in law enforcement is like. The good and the bad.”

“At the end of the day, you want kids to pursue what they desire,” Byrd said. “As a head coach, to see a player follow in your footsteps, that’s kind of amazing.”

On May 15, North Carolina Central reached the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament Championship game, where they could have secured its first trip to the NCAA Division I Tournament. Morgan State ended the Eagles’ hopes with a 10-5 win in Norfolk, Virginia. Central is currently without a permanent head coach. Last September, Cat Tarvin became the interim coach after the resignation of Vashion Johnson, who left to pursue another opportunity. Central is expected to name a permanent head coach in July.

Durham college softball, still in its infancy, is red hot right now. Before his departure, Johnson took Central to a 23-win season in 2019, including an upset over North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Duke, in its fourth season as a program, won its first Atlantic Coast Conference championship earlier this month.

All of that is in the distant future for Nichols. There’s still the matter of her final season at Cedar Ridge. She isn’t treating it as a stepping stone before leaving for Division I college softball. It’s the last time she gets to play with classmates Ava Lowry and Olivia Aitkin, as well as rising juniors Hayley King and Tori Carden.

2021 left a sour taste in her mouth. In a standard year, the Red Wolves #33 ranking in the MaxPreps standings would have put them comfortably in a 64-team field for the 3A State Playoffs. But because of the pandemic, it was reduced to a 32-team tournament and the Red Wolves were on the outside looking in for the first time since 2017.

Nichols knows firsthand that she’s about to enter the new 3A Central Conference, which will bring higher-caliber competition. It includes 2019 3A State Champion Eastern Alamance, Western Alamance, as well as familiar rivals Orange and Northwood.

It also isn’t changing her goals for her Cedar Ridge swan song.

“I want to make states next year,” Nichols said. “I know we’re in a new league. But this team and this school mean a lot to me. I don’t want to leave without winning another playoff game. I think we can do better next year and I can do better. That’s my goal.”

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is senior wrestler Henry Joubert-Stanzel. Last week, Joubert-Stanzel pinned Chapel Hill’s Danny Miranda in 2:26 to wrap up a 45-22 Orange win over the Tigers. In the process, Orange captured the Big 8 Conference Championship, winning a conference title for the 17th time in the last 18 years. This season, Joubert-Stanzel is 11-0 with six pins. Since wrestling two varsity matches as a freshman, Joubert-Stanzel has showed improvement year-after-year. As a sophomore, Joubert-Stanzel went 16-22. Last year, he was 29-14 with 16 pins. Joubert-Stanzel was also a part of two Orange-Person Athletic Conference championship teams with Stanford Middle School. With no 3A State Dual Team Tournament being held this year, Joubert-Stanzel is focused on making the state tournament. The 3A Mideast Regionals will be held on June 15 at Eastern Guilford High School. As a team, Orange is 13-0 overall, 7-0 in the Big 8 Conference. On Tuesday, they will host Bartlett Yancey and Walter Williams in a tri-meet.

After becoming just the second tennis player in the history of Hillsborough high school athletics to reach a state championship match, Cedar Ridge sophomore Josh Mayhew has been named All-Big 8 Conference.

In addition, Cedar Ridge’s Eli Rachlin and Will Ballenger also were named to the All-Big 8 Conference team. Orange’s Justin Conover and Brandon Gwinn were also named first-team All-Big 8.

On May 15, Mayhew defeated Soham Pradhan of Marvin Ridge 6-2, 6-4 to reach the 3A State Tennis final at the Burlington Tennis Center. He became the first Cedar Ridge singles player to become a state finalist. The only other player from the Orange County School District to ever reach a state final was Britton Webb of Orange, who played for the 2A championship in 2005.

This was Mayhew’s first full varsity season. He went 14-4 in singles play. All four of his losses were to 3A State Champion Dennis Perumov of Chapel Hill, who naturally was also the Big 8 Conference Player of the Year. Mayhew finished second in the Mideast Regional, where he defeated Chapel Hill’s Eddy Ferreira 6-2, 6-2 in the semifinals. Mayhew qualified for the state championships on May 8 with wins over Western Alamance’s Will Geiger and East Chapel Hill’s Rama Varanasi in the opening rounds of the Mideast Regionals. He became the first singles player from Cedar Ridge to qualify for the state tournament since 2014.

Rachlin was the junior co-Captain of the team. He started all matches at #2 singles. Rachlin helped the Red Wolves sweep the season series from crosstown rival Orange. On March 22, Rachlin defeated Orange’s Colin O’Hagerty 6-2, 7-5. Throughout the season, Rachlin teamed with Lev Bearman on #2 doubles. Together, they defeated Northwood’s #2 doubles team 8-7, winning the tiebreaker 7-5 on March 15. It preserved a 5-4 Cedar Ridge victory.

Ballenger had 14 wins this season. He teamed with Mayhew to go 8-2 as the Red Wolves’ top doubles team. Ballenger also played #3 singles for much of the year, including a three-set victory over Carrboro’s Joseph Lee that ended 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (12-10). It helped the Red Wolves defeat the Jaguars 9-0 at Carrboro Tennis Courts.

Orange’s Brandon Gwinn teamed with O’Hagerty to reach the 3A State Doubles Tournament. It was the first time since 2013 that Orange High was represented in a state tennis tournament. On May 8, Gwinn and O’Hagerty defeated Northern Guilford’s Duncan Moore and James Harrington 6-3, 6-4 to reach the 3A Mideast Regional semifinals. Earlier in the day, Gwinn and O’Hagerty knocked off Isai Gutierrez & Francisco Urieta of Harnett Central.

Gwinn, a sophomore, had 12 wins overall in 2021. Despite facing players from perennial powerhouses Chapel Hill and East Chapel Hill, Gwinn finished 7-4 in singles play. Gwinn defeated Ballenger 6-1, 7-6 (8-6) on April 14 at Red Wolves Tennis Courts.

In his third year as a varsity player, Conover was usually Orange’s #1 singles player. He helped the Panthers to a winning season on the strength of two wins over Northwood. Conover defeated the Chargers’ Jio Sumogod 6-4, 6-4 on March 24. A month later, Conover defeated Sumogod 7-5, 6-4 as Orange defeated Northwood 5-4 in Hillsborough.

Bearman was named Honorable Mention All-Big 8 for Cedar Ridge. O’Hagerty was named honorable mention for Orange.

In addition to tennis, the Big 8 Conference has named its All-Conference teams for men’s golf. Orange’s Josh Frank and Cedar Ridge’s Bradley Monschein made All-Big 8.

Frank, a senior, had a nine-hold average for the year below 42. He qualified for the 3A Mideast Regionals at Keith Hills Golf Club on the campus of Campbell University. On April 13, Frank shot a 79 at Occoneechee Golf Course in Hillsborough, the home of Orange and Cedar Ridge golf.

Monschein was the Red Wolves’ top player throughout the season. In mid-March at Occoneechee Golf Course, Monschein led Cedar Ridge with an 87 over 18 holes, which was tied for fourth among competitors from five different schools. Somewhat remarkably, Monschein didn’t start getting serious about golf until about a year ago. This was his first season on the Cedar Ridge golf team. He’s currently playing for Cedar Ridge’s junior varsity baseball team.

Landon Riley: The Liberty Flames were upset in the Atlantic Sun Tournament championship game by Jacksonville 7-3 on Saturday at Harmon Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. Riley threw one inning of scoreless inning against the Dolphins with one walk and one strikeout. Liberty defeated North Florida 5-2 in Friday’s semifinal game. On Thursday, Jacksonville defeated the Flames 2-1, Liberty’s first loss in the tournament. On Friday morning, Liberty shut out Kennesaw State 6-0. The Flames now await for the NCAA Selection Show at noon on Memorial Day to learn if their season will continue. Projections from Baseball America and D1baseball.com both have Liberty receiving an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament. The Flames have two wins over North Carolina, as well as victories over Virginia and Virginia Tech. Liberty, which won the Atlantic Sun regular season championship, are 39-14. In 18 pitching appearances this season, Riley had a 2-0 record with a 4.08 ERA and five saves. In 17-and-two-thirds innings, Riley had 19 strikeouts and nine walks.

Joey Berini: #11 East Carolina was eliminated by UCF on Saturday in the American Athletic Conference Tournament at BayCare Park in Clearwater, Florida. Berini entered the game as a pinch hitter for the Pirates in the eighth inning and hit a two-out single to centerfield. It was Berini’s third hit of the season. Berini also played Wednesday at East Carolina defeated Cincinnati 13-9 in an elimination game. He went 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter. East Carolina is 41-15 and will wind up with a spot in the NCAA Tournament when the field is announced later today. Berini has played in eleven games this year.

Brandon Andrews: The Jacksonville State baseball team ended the year with consecutive wins over Eastern Illinois. It was not enough for the Gamecocks to qualify for the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. They finished 26-27, 10-14 in the Ohio Valley Conference. Andrews pitched in one game for Jacksonville State after he transferred from Nicholls State. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

Bryse Wilson: After his win over the Toronto Blue Jays last Friday, Bryse Wilson was optioned back to the Gwinnett Stripers of Triple-A East. On Friday night, Wilson earned the win as the Stripers defeated the Memphis Redbirds 8-2 in a rain-shortened six innings. It was the first complete game by a Gwinnett starter this year. He struck out five over six innings and surrendered only two runs. He also had a bunt hit in the third inning and scored off a home run by Jason Kipnis. In his last nine starts with the Stipers, Wilson is 8-0 with a 1.58 ERA dating back to July 21, 2019.

Marvin Jones: Jones competed for North Carolina Central at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field East Regional Preliminary Championships at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL. Jones finished tied for 37th place in the high jump with a 2.06-meter leap. During his senior season, Jones had five top-5 finishes with three wins. He won the gold medal at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Olivia Ward: The former Cedar Ridge women’s tennis player ended the year on a strong note for Division III Methodist. On April 25, Ward defeated Chandler Brice of North Carolina Wesleyan 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in the opening round of the USA South Women’s Tennis Tournament. North Carolina Wesleyan won the match 6-3 at the Slick Family Tennis Center in Rocky Mount. Ward ended the year with wins in six consecutive matches. Methodist end the year 8-14, but finished 2nd in the USA South Conference with a 5-1 record.

Brad Debo: Though he didn’t play for N.C. State this season, Debo was still honored during the Wolfpack’s home game against Florida State on May 22 at Doak Field in Raleigh. Debo didn’t have a senior day game during his senior year in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Debo played in eight games in 2020 for the Wolfpack as a catcher and designated hitter. He hit .263 with one double. For his Wolfpack career, Debo hit .284 with nine home runs and 96 RBIs. He has started work as an organizational instructor for catchers at North Carolina Development Baseball out of Durham.

With the summer unofficially here, Orange senior Ava New is still aiming to make the 3A Mideast Regionals in the long jump and the triple jump. Earlier this year, New finished 1st at a tri-meet with Southern Durham at Cedar Ridge in the long jump and the triple jump. New won the long jump with a leap of 14-feet, one-inch. In the triple jump, New had a new personal best of 28-feet, 7-inches. Against Vance County and Chapel Hill on May 13, New had her third first place finish of the year in the long jump at 15-feet, four inches. In a meet against East Chapel Hill on May 6, New came in second in the long jump at 14-feet, eight-inches. Ava finds herself quite busy away from the track. She’s a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the BETA Club, as well as the National Spanish Honors Club. In addition to all of that, she works at Neuvo Taco in Durham. The 3A Mideast Regionals are scheduled for June 19 at Southern Lee High School in Sanford.

The rivalry game between Orange and Cedar Ridge at Red Wolves Territory was suspended by rain in the bottom of the second inning on Friday night, but it sure had some fireworks early.

Orange’s Ryan Hench drilled a two-run homer to put the Panthers ahead 2-1. The game was stopped in the bottom of the second inning. In Cedar Ridge’s side of the first inning, shortstop Bryce Clark laced a solo homer to left field. He became the first person to score a run off Hench this year. Hench entered the game with 17 scoreless innings over three games this season. He had yielded only four hits with 30 strikeouts and seven walks.

The rain interrupted a night that Cedar Ridge Head Coach Bryson Massey had prepared weeks for. The game was a Vs. Cancer benefit where Major League Baseball memorabilia would be raffled off. Anyone who purchased tickets for the raffle should keep the tickets. The game will be rescheduled at a later date.

Cedar Ridge will travel to Northern Durham on Wednesday night. Orange travels to Northwood Tuesday night at 7.

Wrestling:

Cedar Ridge 49, Greensboro Grimsley 19; Cedar Ridge 39, Montgomery Central 36

Despite competing during a pandemic, the Cedar Ridge wrestling team eclipsed its win total from the previous season on Friday night.

The Red Wolves defeated Greensboro Grimsely 49-19, then held off Montgomery Central 39-36. It was the Red Wolves’ second tri-match sweep of the week. They’re now 12-6 on the year.

The victory over Montgomery turned out to be the most dramatic win of the season for the Red Wolves. The match was tied 36-36 with only the heavyweight bout between Cedar Ridge’s Aidan Kearns and the Timberwolves’ Jordi Bello remaining. Kearns earned a 6-1 decision to put Cedar Ridge ahead 39-36. The only remaining match was a double forfeit at 106 pounds, so Cedar Ridge took its fourth straight victory.

Kearns, who was the starting goalkeeper for the Cedar Ridge lacrosse team this season, is now 10-8. He earned a forfeit win over Grimsley earlier in the night.

Sophomore Fernando Martinez earned his 50th career win against Grimsley. At 120 pounds, Martinez opened the dual match against the Whirlies with a 13-4 major decision over Zachary Swearington. Martinez, who is 15-1 on the year, pinned Tarian Tanner of Montgomery in 35 seconds. It was his eighth pinfall victory of the year.

Senior Daina Pritchard pinned Montgomery’s Cain Arzate in 1:00 for the 70th win of his career. Pritchard, who is 15-1, suffered his first loss of the season against Grimsley’s Toure Moore.

Senior James Rosati-Brown improved to 18-0 at 152 pounds with two forfeit wins.

Against Grimsley, Gavin Mintz earned a decision over Login Goodwin 6-2 at 170 pounds. At 182 pounds, Thomas Bradley pinned D.J. Diggs in 2:54.

Kearns, Kady Watkins, Kaden Tatro, Mac McGhee and Zoey Moreno also had forfeit wins for Cedar Ridge against Grimsley.

Against the Timberwolves, Tatro pinned Emmanuel All-Gonzalez in 2:31, which evened the dual match 24-24. Mintz then put Cedar Ridge in the lead after he finished off Jamira Jackson via pinfall in 3:10.

Bradley also had a forfeit win against Montgomery Central.

Last season, Cedar Ridge finished 11-8. In the absence of individual tournaments like the Jim King Invitational at Orange High, the Tiger Holiday Classic at Chapel Hill and the Buccaneer Cup at Bartlett-Yancey High Schoo, Cedar Ridge has been able to schedule more dual matches this year. Cedar Ridge also hosts its own individual tournament each year, the Red Wolf Invitational, every November.

Cedar Ridge still has six more dual matches scheduled before the 3A Mideast Regional championships, which will be the first individual tournament for wrestlers across the state, next month. The regionals will be held at Eastern Guilford High School in Gibsonville.

On Wednesday, Cedar Ridge will host powerful Uwharrie Charter Academy at Red Wolves Gymnasium.

The sport of lacrosse comprises our retro Orange Panther of the Week. These week, Ryan Merrill and Caleb Davis wanted to start their Memorial Day weekend with a joint interview on Friday evening. Merrill was honored for the week of February 21, while Davis was honored for the week of February 28. On February 24, Merrill scored six goals in Orange’s 10-6 victory over Cedar Ridge at Auman Stadium. The following night, Merrill had two goals and three assists in a 16-2 victory over Northern Durham at Durham County Stadium. Merrill led Orange with 40 goals and 61 points in 2021. On March 2, Davis tied his season-high with four goals and seven points as Orange defeated Carrboro 19-7. Two nights later, Davis had four goals and three assists as Orange defeated Vance Charter School 15-2 to wrap up the Conference 9 Championship. It was Orange’s first conference championship in lacrosse. Merrill and Davis were paired on the first unit for an Orange team that reached the 3A/2A/1A State Quarterfinals for the first time in school history. They will graduate together next month. Merrill will attend Appalachian State. Davis will journey to UNC Wilmington. They both plan on playing club lacrosse and have left their mark on Orange lacrosse by being members of the most successful team in school history under head coach Chandler Zirkle.

Regardless of whether you wear the burgundy, black and grey of Cedar Ridge or the orange and black of the Orange Panthers, there will be something for every baseball fan tonight.

Cedar Ridge will host Orange in baseball at Red Wolves Stadium tonight at 6 PM. In a benefit for Vs. Cancer, Cedar Ridge baseball coach Bryson Massey has worked exhaustingly to compile a lengthy list of items that will go to people holding a lucky raffle ticket.

Cedar Ridge joined forces with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Vs. Cancer program in an effort to defeat childhood cancer-the deadliest disease affecting children in the United States.

Among the items that will be up for bid tonight will be signed baseball from several Baltimore Orioles, including Cedric Mullins, Freddy Galvis, Ryan Mountcastle, Shawn Armstrong and Darren Holmes.

Mullins is a native of Greensboro who has played with the Orioles since 2018. Just last month, Mullins had his first two home run game against the New York Yankees.

There will also be several game-worn items up for raffle. That includes cleats worn by current Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jeff Hoffman, who was the 9th overall selection in the 2014 Major League Baseball draft. Massey knew Hoffman from their days at East Carolina University, where Massey was a student manager for three years.

Also available for raffle will be a signed camouflage hat worn by Baltimore Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini, who knows about battling cancer firsthand. Mancini had a malignant tumor removed from his colon last year. In November, Mancini announced he was cancer-free and returned to the Orioles lineup this spring.

There will also be a signed, orange and black Baltimore Orioles hat from current Baltimore Orioles Matt Harvey and Paul Fry. Harvey is a former UNC standout who was an National League All-Star selection in 2014 with the New York Mets.

Other items up for raffle is a signed hat by Baltimore pitcher Shawn Armstrong, a native of New Bern who also played for East Carolina; plus another autographed hat by Baltimore pitcher John Means.

There will also be lots of gift cards from facilities and restaurants across Hillsborough and Durham. That includes: a $25 gift card from El Patron Mexican Restaurant in Durham; a $25 gift card from Home Depot; three $10 gift cards from Chik-Fil-A; a $25 Domino’s Pizza gift card; two $25 Subway gift cards; two $25 gift cards with choice of the Longhorn Steakhouse or the Olive Garden; two $25 gift cards from the Cracker Barrel; a $75 gift card from the Wooden Nickel in Hillsborough.

There will also be a gift card from Panciuto Italian Restaurant in Hillsborough, as well as a gift card from Bradsher Grading and Septic Tank in Hillsborough.

Cedar Ridge selected the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Children’s Center to receive a portion of the funds for tonight’s game. Thanks to the generous support from of friends, family and fans, the team is well on its way to meeting its fundraising goal.

You can make a donation at this link.

Vs. Cancer was started by pediatric brain cancer survivor and former college athlete Chase Jones. Vs. Cancer empowers any sports team, any athlete, and any community to help kids with cancer. As a signature fundraising campaign of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Vs. Cancer proceeds help fund child life programs in local hospitals, financial assistance funds for families experiencing a pediatric brain tumor diagnosis and groundbreaking research to cure pediatric brain tumors.

Orange defeated Cedar Ridge 19-9 earlier this month. Last Friday, the Red Wolves defeated Northwood in Hillsborough. This will be the final meeting between the two teams, in any sport, this academic year.

Going into the 3A Mideast Regionals at Eastern Guilford High School next month, two Cedar Ridge wrestlers maintain undefeated individual records after a tri-meet in Yanceyville.

On Wednesday night, the Cedar Ridge wrestling team improved to 11-5 after sweeping a tri-meet from Bartlett-Yancey and Burlington Cummings. The Red Wolves rode a key pinfall win by James Rosati-Brown to a 33-30 win over the Buccaneers. Competing at 152 pounds, Rosati-Brown pinned BY’s Logan Church in 3:09. It was Rosati-Brown’s 70th career win. Later in the night against Cummings, Rosati Brown would earn a forfeit win to go to 16-0 on the season.

At 160 pounds, freshman Kaden Tatro pinned Christian Smith in 1:30. Thomas Bradley secured the dual match win for the Red Wolves with a 10-8 decision over Jakoby Casselman.

Fernando Martinez, Kady Watkins and Daina Pritchard earned forfeit wins for the Red Wolves against the Buccaneers.

Pritchard moved to 16-0 on the year as Cedar Ridge defeated Cummings 47-30 in the final match of the night. At 145 pounds, Prichard earned a technical fall over Elijah Collins 18-3. It was one of only two matches that didn’t end in a forfeit. In the other, Cedar Ridge heavyweight Aidan Kearns pinned Cummings’ Wesley Reese in 37 seconds. Two female wrestlers for the Red Wolves, Watkins and Zoey Moreno, picked up forfeit wins. Watkins has ten victories this year. Also winning via forfeit against the Cavaliers were Rosati-Brown, Martinez, Tatro, and Bradley. Martinez, a sophomore, now has a career record of 49-14. He will go for his 50th career win tonight when Cedar Ridge faces Greensboro Grimsley and Montgomery Central in another tri-meet.

Women’s Tennis: Orange 8, Cedar Ridge 1; Orange 9, Vance County 0

The Orange women’s tennis team has won four consecutive matches, as well as seven of its last eight. For the second year in a row, the Lady Panthers swept the season series from crosstown rival Cedar Ridge. On Wednesday, Orange defeated Cedar Ridge 8-1.

Freshmen started in two singles spots for Orange Coach Justin Webb. Grace Pell won at #2 singles 6-1, 6-1. At #3 singles, Finley White captured her match 6-1, 6-0. Halle Boroski and Emma Williamson also had singles wins for the Lady Panthers.

Cedar Ridge captured the #1 singles match. Freshman Cameron Mayhew won 6-0, 6-2 to improve to 3-2 in single play this year. Mayhew is the younger sister of Josh Mayhew, who became the first Cedar Ridge player to reach a state championship tennis final earlier this month in the 3A men’s championships at the Burlington Tennis Center.

Orange junior Jinkie Andrews won at #4 singles 6-2, 6-2. Later in the day, Andrews teamed with senior Morgan Gwinn to win at #1 doubles 8-4. Boroski & Williamson won at #2 doubles. Tea Jones and senior Lindsey Jouannet finished the day with an 8-3 victory in #3 doubles.

In what will likely be the final head-to-head matchup between Orange and Vance County in any sport as conference rivals, the Lady Panthers two dual matches over the Vipers on Thursday afternoon. Orange won 9-0. The Vipers, who brought three players in from Henderson, forfeited the final match.

Andrews started at #1 singles and won 8-0. Jouannet won at #2 singles. Sophomore Madelyn Horn captured her #3 singles match. Isabelle Lynn and Ashley Behringer won the only doubles match that was contested 8-0.

Orange is now 7-3 overall, 6-3 in the Big 8 Conference. The Lady Panthers will host senior day against Northwood on Tuesday. First, the two teams will complete a suspended match from May 5 that started in Pittsboro. The Chargers led 4-3 at the time of the stoppage. Orange and Northwood will then play its regularly scheduled match.

Cedar Ridge will host Northern Durham on Tuesday. The Red Wolves defeated the Knights 9-0 on May 5. Cedar Ridge is also scheduled to face Vance County on June 7.

The Big 8 Women’s Tennis Tournament is scheduled for June 11. The 3A Mideast Regionals will be held at the Burlington Tennis Center on June 18.