Jeff Hamlin

The 2023-2024 academic year was a time of transition for the Orange athletic department.

It also brought success across fall, winter and spring sports that led to the Panthers being honored with the Wells Fargo Conference Cup for the second straight season for being the top athletic program in the Central Conference.

The cup was presented to Orange Athletic Director Jason Knapp last month.

“It’s a testament to all the coaches we have working here day in and day out,” Knapp said. “The students have worked hard across the board. You’ve got to deserve to be successful and these students deserve success because they’ve worked for it.”

Orange had nine Central Conference champions last season. Their greatest success came in the fall sports season. The volleyball team, in its first season under head coach Hope Heverly, won its first regional championship since 2004 when they defeated cross-county rival Carrboro in five sets at Panthers Gymnasium. In the state championship match, Orange led Kings Mountain 2-sets-to-1 before the Mountaineers came back to win in five sets at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh. Led by seniors Ella Wimsatt and Sadye Porter, the volleyball team won its first conference title since 2005.

The Orange men’s cross country team claimed the Mideast Regional championship in addition to the conference crown under head coach Brian Schneidewind. In the 3A State Championships, only Croatan finished ahead of the Panthers at the Ivey Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville. Gabriel Schmid of the Panthers won hit second consecutive 3A individual state championship. Schmid signed to run at N.C. State last year and is currently on a Mormon mission.

The winter sports season was just as successful with an unforgettable farewell season from Katie Belle Sikes, who is now swimming at the University of Georgia. Sikes led Orange to a runner-up finish in the 3A State Championships. For the first time ever, the Orange women’s swimming team won a conference championship at the Orange County Sportsplex. Sikes won two individual state championships. In addition, Sikes, Riley White, Zoe Jones and Piper White won the 200 yard medley relay state championship. White, Sikes, White and Ainsley Rasinske won the 200 yard freestyle relay state championship.

The Orange men’s swimming team also claimed the conference title and finished 2nd in the Mideast Regional championships. Junior Luke Roman won the 500 yard freestyle state championship. It was Orange’s 3rd consecutive men’s swimming conference title under head coach Ron Geib.

The Orange men’s basketball team claimed its first conference tournament championship since 2016 when they defeated Eastern Alamance at Person High School. Under the direction of head coach Derryl Britt, the Panthers also won the Central Conference regular season championship for the first time since 2017. Coleman Cloer was named the conference player of the year before he transferred to Caldwell Academy over the summer. Xandrell Pennix, Freddy Sneed and Kai Wade are back for this year’s Orange team.

The men’s lacrosse team, led by head coach Chandler Zirkle, claimed its fourth consecutive conference championship and won its first 3A/2A/1A Eastern Regional championship. Led by Connor Kruse, the all-time leading scorer in team history, the Panthers faced off against Lake Norman Charter at Durham County Stadium for the state championship.

The Orange baseball team tied with Southern Alamance for the regular season championship, but the Panthers advanced further in the 3A State Tournament than any other conference team. It was the fourth straight conference title for the Panthers, who defeated Cedar Ridge and Eastern Alamance in the state playoffs. Senior Cross Clayton was honored as Central Conference Pitcher of the Year after becoming the first Panther to win 20 games in a career since Bryse Wilson, who just finished his seventh Major League Baseball season.

The Orange men’s and women’s track and field team also won conference titles at Eastern Alamance High School. Myles Jermyn won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meter championships. Riley Potter claimed the conference title in the 300 meter hurdles.

In women’s track and field, Adelyn Alvis took the 400 meter dash and the long jump. Bree Harris took the 100 and 300 meter hurdles. Grace Pell won the high jump.

Orange’s softball team reached the third round of the state playoffs. The football, men’s soccer, women’s tennis, women’s basketball and women’s soccer team all reached the state playoffs.

It was Knapp’s first season as athletic director, but he never forgot he predecessor, Mike McCauley, who passed away suddenly from pancreatic cancer at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year, just before he was set to retire.

“We remember Mike every day,” Knapp said. “He’s as much a part of these championships as anyone.”

It was a special season-opening win for the Orange women’s basketball team on Monday night. The Lady Panthers defeated Garner 53-31 at Panther Gymasnium in Hillsborough. It was the first win for new Orange women’s basketball coach Joshua Underwood, a former assistant at Eastern Alamance. Forward Evelyn George started her senior year with a double-double, leading Orange with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Last season, George recorded four double-doubles and scored in double-figures in 23 of Orange’s 26 games. Junior point guard Maura McMurtry added 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting from 3-point range. Orange never trailed in the game, jumping out to a 10-1 lead and building a lead as high as 26 points. The Lady Panthers were without two starters as Addi Atkins and Shannon Murphy didn’t play. After losing just one senior from the 2023-2024 team, Orange returns all five starters, as well as key reserve players like Natalie Roberson, Rhiley Crabtree, Alexis Stephens and Bryce Jones. Orange was the only team in the Central Conference to defeat Western Alamance last year. The Lady Panthers will have a golden opportunity to improve on its 13-13 record from a year ago. Orange will return to action against Southern Lee in Hillsborough on Monday night. The Lady Panthers will then travel to Northwood next Tuesday in its final game before Thanksgiving.

Orange women’s basketball’s Evelyn George & Maura McMurtry discuss season-opening win vs. Garner

It was a special season-opening win for the Orange women’s basketball team on Monday night. The Lady Panthers defeated Garner 53-31 at Panther Gymasnium in Hillsborough. It was the first win for new Orange women’s basketball coach Joshua Underwood, a former assistant at Eastern Alamance.

This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is junior golfer Laci Sykes. While Sykes’ top sport is softball, this summer she decided to pick up golf clubs and try her luck out at the links. Under the instruction of head coach Chris Casey, Sykes reached the 3A Central Regionals. She became the first Cedar Ridge golfer to reach the Central Regionals since Olivia Aitkin in 2022. Even though she had just taken up the sport, Sykes had the top scoring average on the team this season. She shot a 55 on the front nine at Occoneechee Golf Course in Hillsborough. Sykes top sport is softball, where she has played varsity each of the past two seasons. Last year, Sykes started 20 games and hit .290 with 18 hits, six doubles and eight RBIs. She helped the Red Wolves reach the state playoffs. Sykes also started every game in her freshman season in 2023. Across 20 games, she hit .239, scoring 16 runs and lacing eleven hits under head coach Allen Byrd. The women’s golf regionals were held at The Valley Golf Course in Burlington. Now that golf season has ended, Sykes will prepare for the start of softball season in February. The Red Wolves will open the season against Wakefield in Hillsborough.

Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week: Laci Sykes

This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is junior golfer Laci Sykes. While Sykes’ top sport is softball, this summer she decided to pick up golf clubs and try her luck out at the links. Under the instruction of head coach Chris Casey, Sykes reached the 3A Central Regionals.

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On Monday night, Cedar Ridge softball senior Kimber Shambley formally signed to play at Western Carolina during a ceremony inside Cedar Ridge Library. Among the speakers were Kimber’s father, Kevin, and her mother, Missy. Also in attendance were Cedar Ridge softball coach Allen Byrd and assistant coach Brian Rhew. Shambley has been a varsity co-Captain the past two years. Last spring, she led the team in six offensive categories, including a .449 batting average with eight home runs and 34 RBIs. On Senior night, she hit a walkoff home run to defeat Western Alamance, the defending 3A Eastern Regional champions. Shambley has been a varsity player each of her three seasons at Cedar Ridge. She has a lifetime .418 batting average with nine home runs and 78 RBIs. Playing at Western Carolina has been a dream for Shambley since 2017, when she played in Cullowhee during a camp. In 22 games in her freshman season, Shambley hit .441 with 30 hits and 28 RBIs. She has helped Cedar Ridge reach the state playoffs each of her three seasons. Many of Kimber’s teammates were on hand for the ceremony on Wednesday night, which had a displayed adorned in purple, the colors of the Catamounts. Kimber will start her senior season on February 24 with a game against Wakefield in Hillsborough.

Cedar Ridge softball senior Kimber Shambley discusses signing with Western Carolina

On Monday night, Cedar Ridge softball senior Kimber Shambley formally signed to play at Western Carolina during a ceremony inside Cedar Ridge Library. Among the speakers were Kimber’s father, Kevin, and her mother, Missy. Also in attendance were Cedar Ridge softball coach Allen Byrd and assistant coach Brian Rhew.

Despite losing seven starters from last year’s Central Conference championship team, Cedar Ridge wrestling is still a force to be reckoned with.

Red Wolf senior Ryan Rakouskas won his 100th career match en route to the 157-pounds championship as Cedar Ridge won the Atkins Invitational at Atkins Academic and Technology High School in Greensboro on Saturday. Rakouskas defeated Brice Baker of Oak Grove High in overtime 14-11 in the championship final.

Rakouskas becomes the eighth Cedar Ridge wrestler to win 100 career matches. He is the fourth grappler in the last three years to win 100 matches. Fernando Martinez, who graduated in 2023 and now wrestles at UNC Pembroke, won 100 matches during his senior year. Last year, Kaden Tatro also joined the 100-win club. Senior Pierce Prescod surpassed 100 wins last winter.

Rakouskas finished 35-13 with 29 pins last season. He opened his first tournament of the 2024-2025 season with a pin over Braxton Bragg of East Mecklenburg. In the quarterfinals, Rakouskas pinned Adam Curry of Asheboro in 1:02. He secured a spot in the championship match with a 10-4 victory over Jack Martin of Mount Airy.

Cedar Ridge finished with 159 points, tops in the 25-team field. Atkins Academic and Technology finished second with 137 points.

“I thought we had a shot to crack the top five,” said Cedar Ridge coach Scott Metcalf. “I’m shocked that we won, honestly. We lost seven starters from last year’s team so it’s hardly imaginable that we could be better this year. But this is a really good group of kids who get along great and work really hard. So it’s entirely feasible if things keep coming together.”

The surprise of the weekend was Will Meyer, who captured the 190-pound championship. Meyer has spent the past three years on junior varsity and appeared in three matches at the varsity level last year. He pinned all four of his opponents in the tournament, including a victory over Matthew Oliver of R.J. Reynolds in the semifinals at 2:41. In the championship match, Meyer pinned Glenn Huskey of Rockingham County in 1:58.

Meyer faced a higher-seeded competitor in each of his four matches. He opened by pinning 7th-seeded Michael King of Reagan High in 3:10.

The Red Wolves had three others reach the finals in their respective weight classes. Jordin Blue won three matches in the 165-pound tournament, pinning Jack Steele of Southeast Guilford in the semifinals. Cooper Ranson of Atkins Academic on the championship over Blue. In the quarterfinals, Blue scored a technical fall over Kolvin Walker of Alexander Central.

At 126 pounds, Prescod reached the championship match. Prescod, the top-seed, defeated Braylen George of Mt. Airy 18-2 to advance via technical fall. In the championship match, Omar Rushing of Mt. Airy held off Prescod 4-3. Prescod took a 1-0 lead into the third period, but Rushing scored the only takedown of the match with 37 seconds remaining in the third period. Prescod got an escape in the final seconds, but couldn’t gain the final point.

Alejandro Briones, the defending Central Conference champion at 144-pounds, reached the final at 150 pounds. Briones, who won both of his matches in the season-opening tri-meet at Uwharrie Charter Academy last Thursday, pinned Daniel Runion of R.J. Reynolds in 1:57 in the semifinals. Briones scored two pins and a tech fall leading up to the championship match. Cole Kenerley of East Mecklenburg pinned Briones in 3:09 to win the title. Briones led 6-1 in the opening minute of the match, but Kenerley scored four near fall points in the final 30 seconds of the opening period.

Favio Jaramillo Esparza finished third at 113-pounds. In the consolation final, he pinned Gavin Cranford of Montgomery Central in 3:49.

In the women’s tournaments, Cedar Ridge’s Thalia Paterno reached the final at 100-pounds. Paterno pinned Naria Selomith of West Forsyth in 14 seconds. Victoria Pioquinto of West Forsyth won the championship via pinfall in 3:36.

At 138 pounds, Cedar Ridge’s Chloe Pankratz reached the final, finishing runner-up. In the semifinals, Pankratz pinned the 2nd seed, Amelia Martino of East Mecklenburg in 5:13. Jadyn Magallanes of West Forsyth won the championship.

For the first time since 2021, the Cedar Ridge men’s basketball team has won its season opener.

In a tight game on Friday night, the Red Wolves held on to defeat Carrboro 54-52 at Red Wolves Gymnasium. Sophomore Jordan Jacobson finished with 20 points while senior Luke Orstad finished with 16 points and seven rebounds.

With :5.3 seconds remaining, Or stand missed a freeze throw. Carrrboro’s Sam Kanjorski got free with a 3-point attempt at the buzzer, but Orstad soared across to obstruct the shot, which fell short.

Carrboro (o-1) took a 44-41 lead when Kanjorski knocked down a 3-pointer with 5:39 remaining in the fourth quarter. Orstad and Jacobson took over offensively for the Red Wolves. Orstand scored off a lay-in on a feed from Jacobson. After Cedar Ridge center Jack Kelsey grabbed a rebound, Jacobson found Orstad for another field goal to put the Red Wolves ahead 45-44. Following another Jaguars miss that was rebounded by Braeden Wilbourn, Jacobson sank a 3-pointer on a basket assisted by Orstad. Following a steal by Kelsey, Orstad knocked down two free throws after being fouled by Noah Simmons.

Carrboro’s Bakari Watkins led all scorers with 28 points.

Cedar Ridge shot 8-of-16 from 3-point range and roared out to a 17-2 lead to start the game. Orstad opened with a 3-pointer, followed by another from Jacobson, which forced a Jaguars timeout only two minutes in. After Watkins scored the opening Carrboro field goal, Orstad knocked down two free throws, followed by another 3-pointer from Jacobson.

Carrboro shot 6-of-9 from the field in the second quarter to cut its deficit down to 30-26 by intermission. Carrboro guard Joe Smith sparked the run with a 3-pointer with 5:44 remaining in the first half. Watkins scored the Jaguars final ten points of the first half, including a running one-hander with four seconds remaining in the first half.

In the third quarter, Kanjorski scored off a lay-in to tie the game at 30-30 with 6:27 remaining. Watkins hit two free throws to give the Jaguars its first lead at 31-30.

ORANGE 55, RIVERSIDE 48: Playing its second game in as many days, the Panthers found a way to prevail in a rhythmless, choppy finale to the Voyager Academy Tip-Off Classic in Durham on Saturday.

Kai Wade drained a 3-pointer with 4:32 remaining in the first half to give Orange a six-point lead and the Panthers maintained the lead for the rest of the game, though the Pirates made a late run behind junior Robert McDonald, who led all scorers with 21 points.

McDonald drained a 3-pointer to cut Orange’s lead to two points with 2:36 remaining in regulation, but the Pirates found themselves in foul trouble late in the game. Wade knocked down pressure free throws, sinking 5-of-6 from the stripe in the final quarter. As Riverside switched to a 3-2 zone, Xandrell Pennix picked up a deflected pass and scored off a lay-in.

Pennix, a senior, paced Orange with 15 points.

The two teams felt each other out during the opening minutes. Riverside led 10-9 at the end of the first quarter as the Panthers were limited to three field goals. Panther senior Michael Clark, who finished with 12 points, scored six in the opening quarter.

Riverside was held to six points in the second quarter as the Panthers took a 23-16 lead to the locker room. Orange created turnovers off its full court press and turned them into layups. Freddny Sneed, who finished with eleven points, slammed home his first dunk of the year to give Orange the lead for good.

Orange put four players in double figures. Wade, coming off a career-high 31 point game against Voyager Academy on Friday night, finished with 13 points.

It was the first game for new Riverside head coach Chris Mayshack, who replaced longtime coach Brian Strickland during the offseason.

Orange will host Mount Zion Academy on Friday night in Hillsborough.

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Orange junior point guard Kai Wade scored 31 points as the Panthers fought back from an 8-point halftime deficit to defeat Voyager Academy 75-64 in the season-opener at Orange High on Friday night. It was the opening game of the Voyager Academy Tip-Off Classic, which will continue tonight with a trip to Voyager to face Riverside. Senior Michael Clark had a career-high 23 points as the Panthers won its lid lifter for the fifth time in seven years. Wade has been a starter on the varsity for the past three years. He will likely have to take an increased role on offense this year after the transfer of Coleman Cloer, who transferred to Caldwell Academy after scoring over 1,000 points in just two seasons in Hillsborough. Clark has been a member of the varsity since 2021. With senior Xandrell Pennix working his way back from an ankle injury, Clark stepped up with some big baskets early in the third quarter. Clark scored on a three-point play to take the lead for good late in the third quarter. Senior Freddy Sneed, who also played regularly as a freshman, injured his foot in the third quarter, but returned to make some crucial defensive plays. Orange is looking to repeat as Central Conference champions.

Orange basketball’s Kai Wade, Michael Clark & Freddy Sneed discuss season-opening win vs. Voyager

Orange junior point guard Kai Wade scored 31 points as the Panthers fought back from an 8-point halftime deficit to defeat Voyager Academy 75-64 in the season-opener at Orange High on Friday night. It was the opening game of the Voyager Academy Tip-Off Classic, which will continue tonight with a trip to Voyager to face Riverside.

A dominant defensive display led the Orange Middle School Chargers football team to its second consecutive Orange Person Athletic Conference championship on Wednesday night. The Chargers held the Raiders to ten yards total offense and forced five turnovers in a 22-0 win at Auman Stadium. In the third quarter, Amir Johnson knocked the ball away from Raiders quarterback Kasen Evans that was recovered by Ayden DeVor, who ran the ball back 22 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Brayden Robbins threw a shovel pass to wide receiver Cam Royster for an 8-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter to give the Chargers the lead. Robbins also scored on the subsequent 2-point conversion. Royster made an interception in the fourth quarter. In the opening frame, Robbins, playing as a defensive back, recovered a fumble along the Raiders sideline. In the fourth quarter, Johnson received the lion’s share of carries as the Panthers started to run the clock out. Asher DeVore would score the final Charger touchdown of the season on a 28-yard touchdown run. Orange’s first-team defense only allowed 20 points all season. They finished the year 9-0 and handed the Raiders its first shutout of the season. Many of the Chargers who were instrumental on defense were 7th graders, leading OMS to even more promise for the 2025 season.

Orange Middle’s Royster, DeVore, Johnson, DeVore & Robbins discuss winning the OPAC Football title

A dominant defensive display led the Orange Middle School Chargers football team to its second consecutive Orange Person Athletic Conference championship on Wednesday night. The Chargers held the Raiders to ten yards total offense and forced five turnovers in a 22-0 win at Auman Stadium.