Month: October 2023

It’s no longer news when the Orange volleyball team sweeps an opponent.

It’s become the norm.

Something that hasn’t been routine for Orange volleyball is winning championships, but a long drought could end tonight against Southern Alamance.

On Tuesday night, the Lady Panthers completed its ninth sweep of a conference opponent in nine league matches by beating Person in Roxboro on scores of 25-20, 25-21 and 25-19. It was the Lady Panthers 16th consecutive win, which is a school record.

Orange (18-3, overall, 9-0 in the Central Carolina Conference) clinched at least a tie for the CCC title. They can win it outright with a win over Southern Alamance tonight (Thursday) inside Panther Gymnasium. Game time between the Lady Panthers and the Patriots will be at approximately 6:30 following the junior varsity contest.

The victory guaranteed Orange will be the top seed from the CCC for the 3A State Playoffs. If the season ended now, Orange would be the #1 overall seed in the east region.

Sophomore Ava Wilkerson finished with 18 kills against the Rockets, a season-high. Senior Ella Wimsatt had a double-double with 17 kills and 26 digs. Another sophomore, Aubrey Jordan, finished with 13 kills and five digs as the Lady Panthers defeated Person for the fourth straight time.

Person (8-8, 5-4) remains in third place in the CCC.

The opening set had nine ties and three lead changes. Wilkerson broke open a nip-and-tuck first frame with three consecutive kills to put Orange ahead 16-12. Sophomore Katie Silcott, who finished with 41 assists, set up Wilkerson on all of her attacks.

Person fought back with a 5-1 run to even the set at 18-18 after a spike by Kaylie Parker, who finished with a team-leading five kills. Orange took the lead for good after a Person serve went into the nylon, followed by a finish from Jordan. The Lady Panthers ended the set with five of the last six points, including two kills by Jordan.

Orange built a 6-2 lead to open the second set following finishes by Wimsatt and Wilkerson. A kill by Wilkerson widened the Lady Panthers lead to 18-14. Orange had three straight points off attacks by Wimsatt and Jordan that led to set point. A return by Person that went wide was enough for Orange to take a two-set lead.

Wilkerson had eight kills in the third set while Wimsatt added seven kills and eight digs. Junior Abby Silinski had seven of her 15 digs in the final frame.

Orange charged out to an 12-3 lead to open the third. Wilkerson had back-to-back kills with Silinski added an ace. A kill by Wimsatt put Orange ahead 16-8, leading to a Person timeout. Wimsatt got a kill on match point off an assist from Silcott.

It was a solid night all the way around for Orange. In Greenville, D.H. Conley defeated J.H. Rose to complete a season sweep. The loss knocked Rose out of the #1 spot in the 3A East RPI rankings–and moved the Lady Panthers into the top spot.

The Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team went from scoring zero goals in its conference opener against Southern Alamance last month to putting up a season-high seven goals in the rematch against the Patriots on Wednesday night at Red Wolves Stadium. In the meantime, Cedar Ridge maintained first place in the Central Carolina Conference with a 7-2 victory over the Patriots. Salomon Hernandez scored the first hat trick of his career, completing the scoring with a hat trick in the 78th minute. Senior co-Captain Illah Babchenko had three assists and added his own goal. Edber Lopez, Abazar Babiker and Dominic McNerney also scored for the Red Wolves. Cedar Ridge has won eleven games, the most since the 2015 team that won 13 games. Cedar Ridge remains in first place, one game ahead of Western Alamance for first place in the CCC. No team from Cedar Ridge has ever won a conference championship in men’s soccer. Cedar Ridge will complete the second leg of the Hillsborough Derby on Monday night at Panther Soccer Field. Cedar Ridge won the opening game against the Panthers 2-1 last month inside Red Wolves Stadium. Cedar Ridge will return home to face Eastern Alamance next Wednesday. The Red Wolves are 7-0-1 in the CCC.

Cedar Ridge men’s soccer players talk 7-2 win over Southern Alamance

The Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team went from scoring zero goals in its conference opener against Southern Alamance last month to putting up a season-high seven goals in the rematch against the Patriots on Wednesday night at Red Wolves Stadium. In the meantime, Cedar Ridge maintained first place in the Central Carolina Conference with a 7-2 victory over the Patriots.

It was no ordinary senior night for the Orange women’s tennis team on Wednesday night. It was a chance to honor a group that accomplished something that no tennis team in school history, men’s or women’s, ever did before. Last year, the Lady Panthers won the Central Carolina Conference championship, the first tennis conference title in school history. Seniors Erinn Sollars and Makayla Davis were starters on that title squad. This year, the Lady Panthers appeared poised to make the 3A State Dual Team Tournament for the third straight season. The past two years, Orange has reached the state quarterfinals. Erinn Sollars has qualified for the 3A State Doubles Tournament twice with her sister, Shannon. This season, Erinn and Shannon Sollars have combined to go 10-2 this season, including a victory in their Senior Night win over Southern Alamance on Wednesday night. Erinn Sollars also won her singles match at #1 over Faith Moore 6-0, 6-0. Senior Makayla Davis defeated Madalyn Corbett at #3 singles 6-0, 6-2. Davis then teamed with Molly Kruse, a sophomore, to defeat Morgan Isley and Morgan Edmunds 8-0. Another senior, Violet Shaw, is in her first season on the team. On Senior Night, Shaw and freshman Ellie Wilson won at #3 doubles over Madalyn Corbett & Dayves Waggle 8-1. Senior Isabella Panek also was honored. Panek returned to the tennis team this season after playing in her sophomore year. Orange defeated Southern Alamance 7-2. The Lady Panthers are now 12-5 overall, 7-4 in the Central Carolina Conference. Orange will conclude the regular season with a home match against Eastern Alamance on Monday. The Central Carolina Conference tournament is set for next Wednesday at the Burlington Tennis Center.

Orange tennis Erinn Sollars, Makayla Davis, Violet Shaw & Isabella Panek talk win on Senior Night

It was no ordinary senior night for the Orange women’s tennis team on Wednesday night. It was a chance to honor a group that accomplished something that no tennis team in school history, men’s or women’s, ever did before. Last year, the Lady Panthers won the Central Carolina Conference championship, the first tennis conference title in school history.

As usual, it was the Orange defense that carried the weight for its football team. The defense scored two touchdowns and a safety in the Panthers’ 43-0 win over Cedar Ridge at Red Wolves Stadium on Friday night. Garrett Sawyer started with a 15-yard interception return for a touchdown with 1:58remaining in the first half. That triggered a sequence where the Panthers scored 20 points in a span of one minute and 29 seconds. Wide receiver Kingston Purefoy-Farrington scored the first touchdown of his career with a 32-yard catch with :16 remaining in the first half. Tyler Narold had three interceptions on the night for Orange, including a pick-6 of his own with 7:37 remaining in the third quarter. Narold also kicked the subsequent extra point. Narold was also the starting quarterback, the starting safety, the punter and placekicker. Orange is battling to make the 3A State Playoffs for the first time since 2017. If the season ended today, the Panthers would be in the field of 64. On Friday night, Orange will face Person in the Highway 57 rivalry for Homecoming at Auman Stadium. Orange has defeated Cedar Ridge 12 straight times. 

Orange’s Kingston Purefoy-Farmington. Garrett Sawyer & Tyler Narold talk football win vs Cedar Ridge

As usual, it was the Orange defense that carried the weight for its football team. The defense scored two touchdowns and a safety in the Panthers’ 43-0 win over Cedar Ridge at Red Wolves Stadium on Friday night. Garrett Sawyer started with a 15-yard interception return for a touchdown with 1:58 remaining in the first half.

From the time Jaylin Starks and Malykahi Justice teamed to sack Southeast Alamance quarterback Ryan Dodson on the first play from scrimmage of the season, Orange’s defense has been the heart of the team.

Even though they lack size compared to its rivals from Alamance County, the Panthers were still able to shut out Walter Williams on the second half on September 21, along with causing headaches for Western Alamance and veteran quarterback Erik Kuehnel in the conference opener in Elon.

In the battle for the Victory Bell at Red Wolves Stadium on Friday night, Orange’s defense created offense, which led to its 12th straight win in the series with its crosstown rival.

Garrett Sawyer and Taylor Narold both scored off interception returns for a touchdown, while the Orange defense held the Red Wolves to one yard of total offense as Orange pulled away for a 43-0 victory.

Narold finished with three interceptions on the night.

The Red Wolves defense kept the Orange offense at bay for much of the first half. Narold’s 42-yard touchdown pass to Kayden Bradsher in the opening quarter was the only Orange offensive score for nearly the entire half.

“Kayden makes plays,” said Orange coach DeVante Pettiford. “It’s something special about his determination and how hard he works.”

Orange had three empty trips to the red zone in the second quarter. After Narold found Bradsher in the 4-yard line, Cedar Ridge’s Mason Cates made a touchdown-saving tackle. Narold misfired on 4th-and-goal off a strong pass rush from Graylon Collins, forcing a turnover on downs with 11:05 remaining in the first half.

“I thought our defense played really well tonight,” said Cedar Ridge head coach Brent Bailey. “We forced two turnovers. They put us in position to be successful. Hats off to our defense, for sure.”

Ja’ki McDaniels and Deandre Brown teamed to tackle Cates in the end zone on the subsequent Cedar Ridge drive for Orange’s second safety of the season. Off the free kick, Hank Nunnery returned as the Panther quarterback after sitting out last week’s game against Williams. Nonetheless, Cedar Ridge came up with two big stops in the red zone.

Leading 9-0, Orange chewed up over five minutes of the clock during a 10-play drive that penetrated all the way to the Red Wolves 2-yard line. On 3rd-and-goal, a solid Cedar Ridge pass rush forced an interception by Jordan Oliva with 5:55 remaining in the third quarter.

After Orange forced a three-and-out, the Panthers drove 33 yards to the Red Wolf 1-yard line after Nunnery found Bradsher for a 25-yard gain. Oliva saved a touchdown when he dragged down Bradsher shy of the goal line. On 2nd-and-goal, Joe Garbee recovered a fumble in the end zone off a botched snap.

“We’re together,” Bailey said. “That was one thing that I heard was a problem last year. We’re together and we can hang our hat on that. Also, we fight. Like tonight, even when the score got out of hand a little bit, I thought we stayed the course and played hard. So that’s what I’m most proud of is we never stop playing.”

It appeared the Red Wolves would be behind 9-0 at the half, but Orange came up with a tsunami of 20 points in a span of 1:31. It started when Sawyer picked off  screen pass and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown.

“That just got us going,” Pettiford said. “That was a big energizer play by a big player on our team.”

After a quick 3-and-out by the Red Wolves, Nunnery hit Brandon Cummings for an 80-yard touchdown pass with 29.9 remaining. A missed extra point kept Orange’s lead at 22-0.

“Hank wasn’t the starter coming in, but he took advantage of his opportunities,” Pettiford said. “He started heating up. I was very proud of Hank. He did a good job for us.”

Narold aimed the subsequent kickoff as a sky kick along the left sideline. McDaniels raced in front of a Red Wolves to recover it. Two plays later Nunnery throwing to Kingston Purefoy-Farrington, who tapped danced into the right corner of the end zone to vault Orange ahead 29-0.

In the second half, Narold returned an interception 42 yards, then kicked the extra point. Jaylen Starks added an 11-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Starks also had seven tackles on defense for Orange. DeAndre Brown paced the Panthers with eight tackles.

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is sophomore setter Katie Silcott. The Orange volleyball team is one win away from its first outright conference championship in 18 years. Silcott has started all 20 matches for the Panthers this season. On Wednesday night, Orange swept Person 3-0 in Roxboro. Silcott added 41 assists and 16 digs as Orange captured its 16th consecutive win. In 2022, Silcott shared time with Kaitlyn Carden as setter. This year, she has compiled 635 assists. She also leads the team with 40 aces. Silcott has a wide array of weapons to supply the ball down during Orange attacks. Senior Ella Wimsatt, sophomore outside hitter Aubrey Jordan and middle blocker Ava Wilkerson have all benefited from Silcott’s steady passing, regardless where she is on the floor. Silcott also has a smooth presence defensively. She is third on the team with 164 digs and even finds herself at the net at times attempting blocks against opposing attacks. Silcott is second on the team with 13 blocks. On Thursday night, Orange will host Southern Alamance. If the Lady Panthers win, they will clinch its first conference championship since 2005 and clinch the #1 seed for the upcoming Central Carolina Conference Tournament. Orange has already clinched the top seed from the CCC for the 3A State Playoffs and are guaranteed to host an opening round game, for starters.

Orange Panther of the Week: Katie Silcott

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is sophomore setter Katie Silcott. The Orange volleyball team is one win away from its first outright conference championship in 18 years. Silcott has started all 20 matches for the Panthers this season. On Wednesday night, Orange swept Person 3-0 in Roxboro.

In one month, cross country teams from across the state will descend on the Ivey Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville for the state championships.

On Saturday, the Orange men’s cross country team raced only 28 miles away at Hagan State Park in Pleasant Garden. They turned in a performance strong enough that they hope to replicate in November just a little further west.

The Panthers won the 39th annual Greensboro Cross Country Invitational on Saturday. Senior Gabriel Schmid, the defending 3A State Individual champion, came in first place against a field of 146 runners. Schmid led the pack with a time of 15:15.64, beating the runner-up, Tate Shore of Ronald Reagan, by 19 seconds.

Schmid has now won all four races where he has competed this season. Orange, which has won two consecutive Central Carolina Conference championships and the 2021 Mideast Regional title, has also won all four of its meets they’ve competed in as a team this year.

On Saturday, Orange had five runners finish in the top 25, which propelled them to the team championship. Sophomore Myles Jermyn came in eighth with a time of 16:13.9. Peter Musser finished 20th (16:46.33), while sophomore Lucas Van Mater crossed the finish line 22nd (16:48.3) and Alden Cathey came in 23rd (16:51.26).

Orange finished with 57 points, finishing on top in a field of 19 teams. Chapel Hill was in second with 83 points, while Grimsley finished 3rd at 106 points.

Of the top ten finishers, Orange was the only one that wasn’t a 4A squad from North Carolina. Cave Spring High, based out of Roanoke, VA, finished eighth.

Nolan Hufner (45th at 17:11.33), Cyrus Neal (66th at 17:44.64), Aiden Viola (86th at 18:19.25) also finished in the top 90 for Orange.

It was the second time in two weeks that Orange finished ahead of its former conference rivals from Chapel Hill. On September 20, Orange won the Orange County Championships, a meet that features Orange, Chapel Hill, East Chapel Hill and Cedar Ridge, the four senior institutions in Orange County. The Panthers had four of the top five finishers, led once again by Schmid, who crossed the finish line first at 10:18.60. Chapel Hill’s Declan Harden came in second at 10:31.20.

After that, Orange runners took the 3rd-through-5th spots, which led to the team championship. Musser finished third at 10:43.80, while Jermyn came in fourth (10:44.70), and Cathey finished fifth (10:45.60). Van Mater had a crucial tenth place finish (10:57.90), which helped Orange to the team title. Neal crossed the finish line 16th (11:27.60), while Nolan Hufner came in 17th (11:30). Viola added a 20th place finish (11:34.80).

Orange finished with 23 points. Chapel Hill came in second with 32 points. East Chapel Hill finished third with 90 points. Cedar Ridge registered 103 points.

Cedar Ridge junior Edgar Ibarra, who also competes in outdoor track and field, was the top finisher for the Red Wolves. He finished 21st at 11:40.80. Red Wolf sophomore Ryan Matthews finished 22nd at 11:41.20, while sophomore Henry Alexander came in 23rd (11:41.70).

In the women’s race at the Orange County Championships, Cedar Ridge finished third, led by junior Naomi Dyreng. In a field of 38 runners, Dyreng finished fifth at 13:17.60. Cedar Ridge’s Abigail Klaitman came in seventh at 13;38.20. Cia Biddix finished 17th for the Red Wolves (14:48.70).

Orange senior Grace Pell was the top placer for the Lady Panthers in 27th place (15:28.10). Senior Channing Mahaney came in 28th (15;32.70).

East Chapel Hill won the women’s team competition with 29 points. Chapel Hill was second with 37 points, while Cedar Ridge was third with 65 points. Orange had 114 pints. 

Chapel Hill had the individual champion in the form of junior Chloe Solum, who paced the field with a time of 12:50.30. East Chapel Hill had the second, third and fourth finishers. Yara Sinnott was the highest finisher for the Wildcats, coming in second at 13:00.50. 

This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is junior women’s tennis player Ella Caltabiano. This season, Caltabiano has been the #2 singles player for head coach Steve Mayhew. She has collected a total of eleven victories for a Cedar Ridge team that currently is in 2nd place in the Central Carolina Conference. On September 11, Caltabiano won a three-set match over Western Alamance’s Reagan Williams en route to a Red Wolf victory. Caltabiano has been a member of Cedar Ridge’s varsity team since her freshman year, where she was also honored as Red Wolves of the Week after helping Cedar Ridge beat Northwood. Caltabiano has also teamed with Catherine Ballenger at #2 doubles, which has given the Red Wolves the upper-hand in many conference matches. Last week Caltabiano and Ballenger won at #2 doubles in Cedar Ridge’s 6-3 win over Orange, which swept the regular season series from the Lady Panthers. Caltabiano has helped the Red Wolves get in position to reach the 3A State Dual Team Playoffs for the first time since 2016. Caltabiano and the rest of the Red Wolves return to action later today (Monday) against Eastern Alamance at Red Wolves tennis courts. It’s the first of three matches this week for Cedar Ridge.

Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week: Ella Caltabiano

This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is junior women’s tennis player Ella Caltabiano. This season, Caltabiano has been the #2 singles player for head coach Steve Mayhew. She has collected a total of eleven victories for a Cedar Ridge team that currently is in 2nd place in the Central Carolina Conference.