Jeff Hamlin

Cedar Ridge sophomore Pierce Prescod has attacked this wrestling season with a fervor comparable to a man on a mission.

That’s because he’s on one–to reach the 3A State wrestling tournament.

In a season that’s already featured several milestones for Cedar Ridge wrestling, Prescod added another on Wednesday night. He recorded his 100th career pin with victories over Jayden Batten of Eastern Alamance and Kenzo Kinoshita of Panther Creek. Prescod is now in fourth place in school history with 140 career wins. He is only behind Chandler Collins, who holds the school record with 166 wins; Kaden Tatro, Prescod’s former teammate, who finished with 159 wins last February; and Josh Collins, a member of the original Cedar Ridge wrestling team that recorded 151 wins from 2001-2005.

Prescod improved to 28-4 with 14 pins this year.

As a sophomore, Prescod won two individual championships as he went into the regional tournament held at Cedar Ridge in February 2024. He faced South Johnston’s Carson Cori in the consolation semifinals of the 120 pound tournament. The winner would reach the state tournament. Just seconds into the match, Prescod slammed Cori, who began holding his back. Cori claimed he couldn’t continue and won on an injury stoppage. Prescod, with 44 wins on the season, was denied a chance to reach the Greensboro Coliseum.

On Wednesday, Cedar Ridge defeated Eastern Alamance 65-18 to improve to 3-1 in the Central Conference.

Alejandro Briones earned two more wins on the night. He defeated Ilia Anokhin of Panther Creek 16-4 in a major decision. Following a forfeit win over Eastern Alamance, Briones is now 28-4 with 15 pins this season.

At 190 pounds, Will Meyer pinned Yugo Hibi of Panther Creek in 18 seconds. Later, he pinned Christopher Schild of Eastern Alamance in 1:40. Meyer is 13-9 with ten pins this year.

Cedar Ridge senior Ryan Rakouskas scored his first technical fall victory of the year, beating Eastern Alamanace’s Carson Gardner 20-3. Following a forfeit win over Panther Creek, Rakouskas improved to 27-2 on the season

Graylon Collins pinned Brayan Acosta in 1:35 to improve to improve to 18-11. It was his seventh pin of the season.

Cedar Ridge is now 14-8 overall.

Both Cedar Ridge and Orange will compete in the Eagle Invitational at the Mebane Arts Center later this afternoon. The tournament will conclude on Saturday.

Person 68, Orange 12: The Person Rockets wrestling team has the inside track on winning the Central Conference regular season championship for the first time after beating the Panthers at Rockets Gymnasium on Wednesday night.

Orange freshman Jordan Barbee, who won all five of his matches at the Rumble in the Jungle at Carrboro High last Saturday, pinned Christian Burwell in the final match of the night. Barbee is a seven-match winning streak and is 13-4 with nine pins.

Orange’s only other victory on the night came from senior Braden Crawford, who pinned Kai Montgomery at 138 pounds. Crawford is 13-4 with nine pins this season.

Person won all 12 of its matches by either pinfall or technical fall. Rockets senior Trevquan Gary, the 2024 3A State Heavyweight Champion, scored a technical fall over Orange’s Eli Clayton 15-0.

Person is 13-0 with wins over both Hillsborough schools. The Rockets edged Cedar Ridge 34-32 on November 26 in Roxboro.

Indoor Track and Field: Orange three-sport athlete Adelyn Alvis qualified for the State Indoor Track and Field Championships during the first Eastern Alamance Polar Bear event of the season in Mebane on Tuesday. Alvis, who was a starter for the women’s tennis team last fall, finished second in the 500 yard dash at 1:18.66. She came in just .54 of a second behind East Chapel Hill’s Ava Maughan.

The State Championsship qualifying standard is 1:22.24.

Orange senior Kingston Purefoy-Farrington came in second in the 55 meter dash at 6.70, just behind Southeast Alamance’s Augustine Koroma, who finished one-hundreth-of-a-second ahead at 6.69.

Orange junior Lucas Van Mater qualified for the State Indoor Championship earlier this fall in the 3,200 meters. It will be his second straight year in the State Championships, which will be held at the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem on February 14 & 15.

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is freshman cross country runner Reilly Jermyn. This season, Jermyn finished 2nd in the Central Conference cross country championships at Lake Cammack Course in Burlington. It propelled the Orange women’s team to a runner-up finish as the Lady Panthers qualified for the Mideast Regionals as a team. At regionals, Jermyn finished 4th overall in Louisburg. In the entire event, Orange had the only two freshmen to finish in the top ten: Jermyn and Ava Bishop. It helped Orange finish third as a team and they qualified for the state championships. Jermyn finished 10th, automatically earning a spot on the 3A All-State team. Jermyn comes from a running family. Her older brother, Myles, helped the Orange men’s team win the 3A State Championship at the Ivey Redmon Sports Complex last month. Her father, Kevin, is the cross country coach at Duke University. Following a successful cross country season, Reilly has focused on her winter sport: swimming. Earlier this month, Jermyn qualified for the Central Regionals in the 200 yard medley relay, joined Piper White, Ainsley Rasinske and Zoe Jones. They turned a time of 2:04.92 in its first meet of the season. Individually, Jermyn qualified for regionals in the 200 yard individual medley with a time of 2:39.95. She also qualified for the 400 yard freestyle relay.

Orange Panther of the Week: Reilly Jermyn

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is freshman cross country runner Reilly Jermyn. This season, Jermyn finished 2nd in the Central Conference cross country championships at Lake Cammack Course in Burlington. It propelled the Orange women’s team to a runner-up finish as the Lady Panthers qualified for the Mideast Regionals as a team.

A low percentage of high school athletes understand what it’s like to reach the biggest stage in their sport and compete for a state championship. Orange volleyball senior Abby Silinski is one of the few that can say they reached the pinnacle. In 2023, Silinski walked under the spotlight at Reynolds Coliseum as Orange faced Kings Mountain for the 3A State Championship. On Wednesday afternoon, Silinski formally signed with Division III Franklin & Marshall University based out of Lancaster, PA. In 2023, Silinski was a valuable defensive presence as Orange finished undefeated in the regular season and secured its first conference championship since 2005. This year, Orange tied with Cedar Ridge for the conference regular season title, then won the conference tournament. The Lady Panthers reached the state quarterfinals. Silinski was named the team’s Most Valuable Defensive Player. In her first year as the starting libero, Silinski led the team with 359 digs. In her sophomore season, Silinski had 209 digs. This year, she was tied for third with 34 aces. In her junior season, Silinski finished with 62 aces. Silinski will graduate in June after serving as a valuable defensive presence for two Orange teams that reached new heights for the program. At Franklin & Marshall, she will be teammates with former Cedar Ridge outside hitter Melissa Benkowitz, who is in the midst of her sophomore year.

Orange volleyball’s Abby Silinski signs with Franklin & Marshall University

A low percentage of high school athletes understand what it’s like to reach the biggest stage in their sport and compete for a state championship. Orange volleyball senior Abby Silinski is one of the few that can say they reached the pinnacle.

Orange seniors Freddy Sneed and Xandrell Pennix were the catalysts in the Panthers’ 82-63 win over East Chapel Hill on Tuesday night in Hillsborough. The Panthers forced 24 turnovers and scored a season-high 82 points in a victory over the Wildcats. The Wildcats led Orange 28-27 at halftime, but Orange charged out to a 8-0 run to start the second half, fueled by Sneed making two steals leading to Panther field goals. Sneed finished with a career-high 21 points as Orange improved to 6-2. Sneed finished with 21 points, six steals, four rebounds and four assists. Pennix closed with a flourish, scoring 16 points off 5-of-10 shooting from 3-point range. Pennix denied any chance for the Wildcats to make a comeback as the Panthers shot 10-of-14 from the field in the third quarter, where they outscored East 27-11. Pennix hit three 3-pointers in the second half as Orange built a 21-point lead. Orange needed the boost after a disappointing loss to Eastern Alamance to open Central Conference play in Mebane on Friday night. Orange, the defending conference champions, will look to go into the holiday break with momentum when they host Western Alamance in Hiillsborough on Friday night. Orange has defeated the Warriors five straight times. Western Alamance opened the season with four  straight wins before losing to Bishop McGuinness last week.

Orange men’s basketball’s Freddy Sneed & Xandrell Pennix discuss win over East Chapel Hill

Orange seniors Freddy Sneed and Xandrell Pennix were the catalysts in the Panthers’ 82-63 win over East Chapel Hill on Tuesday night in Hillsborough. The Panthers forced 24 turnovers and scored a season-high 82 points in a victory over the Wildcats.

The Orange women’s basketball team defeated East Chapel Hill behind the strongest game of the season from center Marshea Byrd on Tuesday night. Byrd tied her season-high of ten points as the Lady Panthers bounced back from a tough loss to Eastern Alamance to improve to 4-3. Orange is under first-year head coach Joshua Underwood. He inherits an experienced team that returns all five starters from last year. Byrd was a starter on last year’s team, which reached the state playoffs and finished 13-13. Orange began the Central Conference campaign with wins in each of its first three games last year and was the only team in the league to defeat Western Alamance, who claimed the conference title. On November 25, Byrd scored ten points as Orange defeated Southern Lee 58-46 in Hillsborough. Orange shot 49% from the field in the win over the Cavaliers. In October, Byrd was named the Homecoming Queen at halftime of Orange’s win over Cedar Ridge. Byrd has been a varsity player for three seasons. Orange will face Western Alamance in a crucial conference game on Friday night in Hillsborough. Over Christmas break, the Lady Panthers will face Southeast Alamance in Haw River to start play in the Southeast Alamance Holiday Hoops Invitational on December 27. The Lady Panthers will also play in the tournament on December 28 and 30th.

Orange women’s basketball center Marshea Byrd discusses win over Southern Lee

The Orange women’s basketball team defeated East Chapel Hill behind the strongest game of the season from center Marshea Byrd on Tuesday night. Byrd tied her season-high of ten points as the Lady Panthers bounced back from a tough loss to Eastern Alamance to improve to 4-3.

In a period of rebuilding for the Orange wrestling program, the Panthers had two freshmen lead them to its biggest sign of progress this season.

Jordan Barbee won all five of his matches while Markus Thomas earned wins in four matches as Orange won the Rumble in the Jungle championship at Carrboro High School on Saturday. The Panthers won all five of its dual matches for its first team championship since the 2022-2023 season.

Orange’s closest match came against Ashley, based out of Wilmington. With two matches remaining, the Screaming Eagles led 38-29 after Carson Lane edged out Orange’s Adrian Sierra at 132 pounds. After Orange senior Braden Crawford earned a forfeit win at 138 pounds, Thomas pinned Elijah Allinen in 52 seconds to secure a 41-38 win for the Panthers.

Orange overcame an 18-0 deficit after the Eagles scored pins in the opening three matches. Sophomore Conner Harward secured the Panthers’ first win with a technical fall over Liam Morrow 15-0. It was the first of five straight Orange victories that included bonus points. Barbee pinned Arturo Cuellar in 1:03 at 190 pounds. Senior Jayden Medley pinned Aidan Weilarcher in 52 seconds. At heavyweight, sophomore Eli Clayton pinned Cason Walker in 1:49.

In all five of its dual matches, the Panthers had competitors in each of the 13 weight classes, which was enough to defeat Bartlett Yancey 51-27. Orange earned five forfeit wins over the Buccaneers. At 138 pounds, Albert Fuentes earned his first varsity win, a pinfall over Jaray Pugh in 3:33, which opened the dual match. Thomas followed with a pin of BY’s Jamir Woods in 29 seconds. After the Buccaneers won three straight matches to take a 15-12 lead, Harward earned a 13-7 decision over Jeshua Garland to even the dual match. After Barbee earned a forfeit win, Medley pinned Tayson Watlington in 35 seconds.

Orange also defeated Greensboro Page 65-12, where they scored pins in four of the opening five matches. Sierra opened with a victory over Joshua Rivera in 1:27. Sierra, a senior, is 11-10 with nine pins this season. Crawford pinned Alan Hoang in 32 seconds. Crawford has the top win percentage on the team so far with a 12-4 record with eight pins.

In a 46-28 victory over Southern Nash, senior Max Molinar earned his first pin of the season at 106 pounds. Molinar defeated Jesus Monroy in 1:11.

Barbee finished the day with four pins. He defeated Southern Nash’s Ryland Robinson in 5:56; Leesville’s Road’s Jesse McArthur in 2:49 and Page’s Luke O’Reilly in 1:33.

The Panthers closed out the day with a 42-27 victory over Leesville Road. At 165 pounds, Andrew Pavalonis started the dual match with a 9-7 win over Milo Wegmann. Brady Mcadams, Medley, and Logan Scarantino all scored pins for the Panthers.

Orange will be in the Eagle Invitational in Mebane this weekend.

Cougar Duals: Senior Ryan Rakouskas came away with five wins as Cedar Ridge finished 3-2 as a team during the Cougar Duals at Apex High School on Saturday.

Competing at 157 pounds, Rakouskas pinned four of his five opponents to improve to 25-2. He leads the team with 19 pins this season.

The Red Wolves ended the day with wins over Northern Durham (66-13), Wllow Spring (53-27) and Apex 41-30. Hoggard edged the Red Wolves 40-39. Topsail also knocked off the Red Wolves 58-15.

Red Wolf senior Alejandro Briones won all five of his matches. He earned a decision over Hoggard’s Thomas Ponce 10-3. Briones also pinned Charles Strickland of Topsail in 2:50. Briones is 26-4 with 15 pins this season.

At 120 pounds, Favio Jaramillo came away with four victories on the day, including a pin over Kellan Needle of Apex. Jaramillo also earned a 9-4 decision over Topsail’s Jacob Pope. Jaramillo ended the day with a forfeit victory over Willow Spring to improve to 25-5.

Senior Pierce Prescod pinned Hoggard’s Corban Barton, his 12th pin of the year. Prescod, competing at 126 pounds, started the day with a technical fall over Ans Issa of Apex 18-2. Prescod is 26-4.

hamlin37 is on Mixlr

For the second time in four nights, Cedar Ridge and Northern Durham went down to the wire on Friday.

This time, Cedar Ridge had the answer in the clutch and his name was Jordan Jacobson.

With 2:00 remaining in the game, Jacobson took an inbounds pass from Braedon Wilbourn, drove past Northern’s Nasir Hasksins, scored on a lay-in while getting fouled to put the Red Wolves ahead 55-52. Jacobson drained four free throws in the final 30 seconds as Cedar Ridge defeated Northern 61-57 at Red Wolves Gymnasium.

Cedar Ridge avenged an earlier loss to Northern Durham from last Tuesday at Knights Gymnasium, where the game was also tied with 1:54 remaining. Just like Friday night, Tuesday’s game turned off an old school, 3-point play scored by the Knights’ Amari Stokes, who scored with 1:28 remaining after being fouled by Cedar Ridge’s Luke Orstad. The Knights’ won 59-53.

On Friday, there were ten lead changes and three ties as Cedar Ridge improved to 5-2, improving on its best start since the 2016-2017 season. Wilbourn led Cedar Ridge with 18 points and eleven rebounds.

Haskins paced Northern (3-5) with 17 points.

Cedar Ridge led 48-42 going into the fourth quarter after a foul line jumper by Wllbourn bounced in at the third quarter buzzer as head coach Mike Jones danced down the sidelines to watch it fall through the net.

Northern opened the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run, keyed by Bostic, who drained two free throws to cut the Red Wolf lead to 50-48 with 3:57 remaining. After Northern’s Camden Riley blocked a shot by Jacobson, Riley grabbed the loose ball and was fouled by Jacobson on the other end. Riley’s free throws tied the game at 50-50.

Bostic gave Northern it’s only lead of the fourth quarter when he poked the ball away and scored on a lay-in while being fouled by Orstad, vaulting the Knights ahead 52-50 with 2:34 remaining. Afterwards, Orstad hit two free throws after being fouled by Riley to even it up with 2:23 remaining.

In the third quarter, Cedar Ridge led by as much as 36-25 following a lay-in by center Jack Kelsey off a feed from Orstad. Northern chipped away at the Red Wolf lead, drawing to within 38-36 following a 3-pointer by Hasking with 3;10 remaining in the first half.

Cedar Ridge’s Kevin Etim, who finished with six points and three rebounds, assisted on a basket by Wilbourn. Jacobson stole a long pass by Haskins and fed Wilbourn to push the lead to 46-40.

Cedar Ridge led 32-25 after Orstad scored on another old fashioned three-point play. He was fouled by Haskins as he took a pass from Jacobson and drained a free throw with three seconds remaining before halftime.

MEBANE: After losing to Orange three times last season, it appeared the odds were stacked against Eastern Alamance from contending for the Central Conference championship this year.

The Eagles lost three starters due to graduation. Their top returning scorer and rebounder, Jordan Matthews, suffered a broken foot during the summer and could be lost for the season.

Orange arrived to the Tal Jobe Gymnasium in Mebane on Friday night fresh off a road win at Chapel Hill, a team that had defeated Eastern Alamance by 28 points on December 6.

But the Eagles utilized a 1-3-1 zone to stymie Orange from 3-point range and Eastern senior guard Javier Tinnen wouldn’t let his team lost to their nearby rival for a sixth straight time.

Tinnen scored 15 points while freshman Mason Murphy scored 24 points as the Eagles outscored Orange 25-12 in the fourth quarter to upset the Panthers 66-60 in the Central Conference opener for both teams.

Orange didn’t hit a 3-pointer in the second half and was just 5-of-20 from downtown. Kai Wade led Orange with 18 points while sophomore Hector Garrido added nine points and 15 rebounds. Orange (5-2, 0-1 in the Central Conference) lost to Eastern Alamance for the first time since February 2, 2022.

Orange led 49-43 going into the fourth quarter, but the Eagles got a surprise boost from sophomore Xavier McPherson, who was called up from the junior varsity team for his first varsity game and scored eleven points, all in the second half. McPherson drained two 3-pointers, including one that gave the Eagles the lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Tinnen finished with 15 points and seven rebounds.

Orange senior Michael Clark scored nine points in the opening quarter, all off 3-pointers. The Panthers built a 12-point lead in the first half based off a 54-38 rebounding edge, plus the Eagles missed its first six three throws. Wade finished with a double-double with 18 points and eleven rebounds. Clark came away with 13 points and ten rebounds.

Orange will return home to face East Chapel Hill in a nonconference game on Tuesday night.

Women’s basketball: Eastern Alamance 37, Orange 34:

In a strange game, Eastern Alamance earned its second win of the year behind Ayila Trollinger’s 16 points.
Orange led 6-2 at the end of the first quarter despite not sinking a field goal. In fact, Orange scored just two field goals in the entire first half and still led 14-5 at halftime.

Senior Evelyn George led all players with 19 points. With four seconds remaining, the Eagles led 37-34 when Orange’s Addie Atkins tied up Selaya Rogers, giving the ball to Orange on the possession arrow. George had a clean look from 3-point range to tie it up and appeared to be hit on the arm by an Eagle, but there was no call as the buzzer sounded.

After being limited to two field goals in the first half, the Eagles exploded to start the second half. Marion Scott scored all nine of her points in the third quarter. Trollinger drained four 3-pointers in the second half, included one that was banked in that put the Eagles ahead 27-20 at the end of the third quarter.

Atkins and George sparked a late comeback for the Lady Panthers. Atkins knocked down a 20-footer while George scored seven points in the fourth quarter. Alexis Stephens added her only field goal of the game. The Eagles’ succeeded in slowing the game down to its own, half-court plodding pace. Only three Orange players scored field goals as the Eagles won its Central Conference opener.

The Eagles defeated Orange for the third straight time. Last year, Orange defeated Eastern Alamance in the Southeastern Alamance Holiday Tournament.

Orange will host East Chapel Hill, a former conference rival, in Hillsborough on Tuesday night.