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Just in time for the holidays, the Orange men’s basketball team was like the Grinch in an empty house on Christmas Eve before his babyface turn.
Doing lots of stealing.
In fact, Orange forced 27 turnovers against Western Alamance on Friday night, jump starting a 12-0 run to open the second half as the Panthers rolled past the Warriors 73-48 in Hillsborough. It was Orange’s sixth straight victory over Western Alamance.
Senior Xandrell Pennix was the leading scorer for the Panthers with 16 points, including a trio of 3-pointers, as Orange evened its Central Conference record at 1-1. Michael Clark drained all three of his 3-point attempts and finished with 15 points, shooting 5-of-7 from the field. Orange improved to 7-2 going into Christmas week.
Western Alamance, who started the season 4-0, played without guard James Newton, who was in Spartanburg, South Carolina suiting up for North Carolina in the Shrine Bowl. The Warriors (4-2, 0-1) were led by Camden Oliveira, who scored 16 points and five rebounds.
After the Warriors scored the opening five points, including a 3-pointer from Hamilton Plunkett, Orange responded with a 14-3 run and didn’t trail again. Clark and Pennix drained consecutive 3-pointers while Freddie Sneed scored off a steal and lay-in after he picked the pocket of Plunkett at midcourt.
The Panthers made their living off a half-court trap. In the second quarter, Orange forced three consecutive turnovers that led to points, including a 10-second violation. Oliveira kept the Warriors within striking distance, scoring 14 of his 16 points in the first half. The Panthers led 37-17 at halftime after Kai Wade sank two free throws, followed by a 3-pointer from sophomore Ethan Ellis.
Wade, a junior point guard, has scored in double figures in all nine of Orange’s games.
The Panthers quickly made it a rout in the second half. After Wade stripped the ball away from Oliveira, Clark drained back-to-back shots from downtown. Then Clark stole the ball from guard Jayden Jones, leading to a lay-in from Sneed assisted by Pennix. Pennix added to the Warriors woes with a 3-pointer to extend the Orange lead to 50-27. Warriors coach Ryan Suttles responded by pulling his entire starting five and let his reserves finish out the quarter. It was a move that proved to be beneficial for backup Western guard Drew Cohn, who scored eleven points in six minutes.
Orange will make a trip to Northeast Guilford to face the Ivanhoe Knights from Australia on Monday night. Next Friday, the Panthers will open play in the South Granville Holiday Invitational. They will open the eight-team tournament against East Wake.
Women’s basketball: Western Alamance 64, Orange 35:
The Western Alamance women’s basketball team is the defending Central Conference champions. On Friday night, they looked the part in a dominant performance over Orange in the Warriors opening league game.
Senior Allie Sykes led the Warriors with 15 points as the Warriors improved to 6-1. They avenged its only conference loss from last year against the Lady Panthers.
After Orange’s Marshea Byrd tied the game at 2-2 with a lay-in, the Warriors kept the Lady Panthers scoreless for the final 6:07 of the first quarter. As usual, the Warriors outside game was fierce, sinking ten 3-pointers. Though Sykes was the only Warrior in double-figures, nine different Western Alamance players scored.
Orange senior Evelyn George led the Panthers with 18 points, but only three Orange players scored in the first half as the Warriors led 35-11 at halftime. George has scored in double figures in all eight of Orange’s games this year. Addie Atkins added six points for Orange, but the Lady Panthers were hampered by the Warriors perimeter defense. Orange sank just one 3-pointer.
Orange will head to Haw River for the holidays. They will open the Southeast Alamance Holiday Hoops Invitational on Friday with a first round game against Southeast Alamance. The athletic director at Southeast Alamance is former Orange women’s basketball coach B.J. Condron.
Orange senior Braden Crawford won his third Eagle Invitational wrestling championship at the Mebane Arts Center on Saturday afternoon. Crawford scored three pins to earn his first individual championship of this season. He pinned East Chapel Hill’s Cole Shutter in the championship match of the 138 pound tournament. In the semifinals, Crawford pinned Grayson Collins of Cedar Ridge. Crawford is 16-4 with 12 pins thus far in a senior season that has been marred by injury. He was unable to compete in the Jim King/Orange Invitational two weeks ago because of a shoulder injury. Crawford is aiming to the 3A State Tournament once again this year. He finished 4th in the 3A State Championship last winter. In February at the Greensboro Coliseum, Crawford pinned Person’s Emanuel Garcia in the opening round of the 126 pound tournament. Crawford reached the state semifinals after he defeated Shawn Bass of Dudley 4-1. He reached the consolation finals after he defeated Jazien Hall of Fayetteville 71st 5-0. Last season, Crawford finished 32-4 with with 23 pins. Crawford has earned over 100 career wins. This year, Crawford is a twi-captain on a young Orange team, along with Jayden Medley. After a drop-off last season, Crawford looks to lead the storied Panther wrestling team forward as they move into the winter.
Orange senior Braden Crawford discusses winning the Eagle Invitational
Orange senior Braden Crawford won his third Eagle Invitational wrestling championship at the Mebane Arts Center on Saturday afternoon. Crawford scored three pins to earn his first individual championship of this season. He pinned East Chapel Hill’s Cole Shutter in the championship match of the 138 pound tournament.
More steals lead to more points for the Orange men’s basketball team. That was the theme of its first Central Conference win of the season on Friday night, where they forced 27 turnovers in a 73-48 win over Western Alamance in Hillsborough. It was the Panthers sixth straight victory over the Warriors. Kai Wade finished with ten points, six assists, five rebounds and five steals. In all nine of Orange’s games this year, Wade has scored in double figures. Sophomore Hector Garrido finished with a blocked shot and two steals. Garrdio has worked to get his basketball legs after a successful season playing goalkeeper for the Orange men’s soccer team. Garrido, Orange’s starting center, had been efficient from outside the arc. He went 3-of-4 in a win over Chapel Hill last week. The Panthers started the second half with a 13-0 run against the Warriors. Senior Michael Clark opened the quarter with consecutive 3-pointers and the Warriors never could make up ground. Orange will go into the Christmas holiday with an 8-2 record. On Monday night, the Panthers will face the Ivanhoe Knights from Australia at Northeast Guilford High School in McLeansville. The Panthers will open the South Granville Holiday Tournament against East Wake next Friday night in Creedmoor.
Orange men’s basketball’s Kai Wade & Hector Garrido discuss win over Western Alamance
More steals lead to more points for the Orange men’s basketball team. That was the theme of its first Central Conference win of the season on Friday night, where they forced 27 turnovers in a 73-48 win over Western Alamance in Hillsborough. It was the Panthers sixth straight victory over the Warriors.
Bryse Wilson: After two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, Wilson officially signed with the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. Wilson agreed to a one-year, $1.05 million contract. In November, Milwaukee outrighted Wilson, who elected to become a free agent. Wilson, who reached the Major Leagues in 2018 with the Atlanta Braves, signed with an American League team for the first time in his career. He also had a stint with Pittsburgh. In seven Major League seasons, Wilson had appeared in 143 games, including 52 starts. He has a lifetime 4.61 ERA with 305 strikeouts over 413 innings. Last season with Milwaukee, Wilson had 34 appearances with 82 strikeouts over 104.2 innings with a 4.04 ERA. Though the Brewers won the National League Central Division championship for the second straight year, Wilson wasn’t included on the postseason roster.
Payton Wilson: Bryse’s younger brother scored his first professional touchdown as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 44-38 at Paycor Stadium. Wilson returned a fumble 21 yards with 11:06 remaining in the fourth quarter, which turned out to be the game-winning touchdowns. Wilson finished with three tackles. Following a loss to Philadelphia on Sunday, the Steelers are 10-4, leading the AFC North by one game over the Baltimore Ravens. They have already clinched a playoff spot. Against the Eagles, Wilson had six tackles and broke up a pass. The Steelers will face the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium.
Emerson Talley: The college career of Cedar Ridge women’s soccer’s all-time leading scorer came to an end in the NCAA Division II Tournament last month. Lander defeated Lenoir-Rhyne 3-2 in overtime at the Moretz Sports Complex in Hickory on November 22nd. In her final game, Talley scored the opening goal in the 44th minute. This season, Talley started all 19 games for a Lenoir-Rhyne team that won the South Atlantic Conference regular season and conference tournament. She was named to the third-team All-SAC squad. Talley scored the game-winning goal against Mars Hill on October 16. She ends her college career with five goals and five assists.
Katie Belle Sikes: On November 1, Sikes notched her first collegiate win when Georgia faced Florida. Sikes finished first in the 50 yard freestyle, the event where she won three state championships at Orange. She touched the wall at 22.95 seconds. The #12 Georgia women’s swim team faced the #1 team in the country, Texas, on Tuesday at Jamail Texas Swimming Center. Sikes finished first in the B-Cut of the 50-meter freestyle 22.57 seconds. Sikes teamed with Eboni McCarthy, Charlotte Headland and Helena Jones to finish 3rd in the 200 yard medley relay with a time of 1:38.35.
Trenton Gill: Following its game against the Carolina Panthers on December 1, Gill was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gill played in eight games for Tampa Bay after being released by the Denver Broncos in the preseason. Earlier this week, Gill worked out with the Washington Commanders.
Ivy Garner: The former Cedar Ridge forward was named to the All-Conference USA first-team after the Liberty women’s soccer team finished 2nd in the league this fall. Garner finished second on the team with nine goals. She led the conference with eight assists as the Flames reached the CUSA Championship game following a 1-0 victory over New Mexico State. Garner was also named to the United State Coaches All-South Region first-team for the second year in a row. Liberty ended the year 15-2-4, falling to Florida International in the CUSA Championship game.
Ryan Moss: After four years with the Orange men’s basketball team, Moss is now with the Division III Waynesburg Jackets in Waynesburg, PA. The Jackets are 4-6 and defeated Westminster on Monday in its final game before Christmas.
Amiyah Ware: After playing at Cedar Ridge in her junior and senior seasons, Ware is now on the roster for Division II North Greenville. The Trailblazers are 2-9 overall, 2-3 in Conference Carolinas.
Fernando Martinez: After graduating from Cedar Ridge in 2023, Martinez is now a redshirt freshman with Division II UNC Pembroke. Last year, Martinez redshirted for the Braves.
The Orange men’s basketball team has built its identity on defense from the very beginning of this season.
After a sluggish first half against East Chapel Hill on Tuesday, the Panthers turned defense into offense for a blowout home win.
Senior Freddy Sneed scored a career-high 21 points while guard Xandrell Pennix added 16 as Orange (6-2) rolled past the Wildcats 82-63 at Panthers Gymnasium. Orange forced 13 turnovers in the second half to score a season high 82 points and held East to 29% from the field.
East (1-6) was led by Bennett Corley, who finished with 25 points.
The Wildcats led 28-27 at halftime behind Will Charkaclis, who scored eleven points in the first half. The Panthers full-court press’ forced five steals in the opening two minutes of the second half, leading to an 8-0 Orange run. After Sneed tied the game with a free throw, Michael Clark scored in transition to put the Panthers ahead for good with 6:54 remaining in the third quarter. Sneed picked the pocket of East’s Jameer Phelmetta and scored on a lay-in, leading to a Wildcats timeout.
That did little to stem the Orange tide. Panthers center Hector Garrido knocked a pass away from the Wildcats’ Frederick Rothert and scored in transition while getting fouled. His free throw extended Orange’s lead to 35-28.
Phelmetta and Characklis each made 3-pointers to keep the Wildcats within striking distance, but Pennix and Ethan Ellis triggered an 13-2 run, each hitting shots from downtown. The Panthers shot 10-of-14 in the third quarter and outscored the Wildcats 27-11.
Orange jumped out to a 9-4 lead with Sneed scoring consecutive field goals, including a dunk after he forced a steal. Characklis came off the bench to erase East’s deficit, sinking two free throws with 2:35 remaining in the first half to tie the game at 24-24. After a block by Corley, Characklis scored off a pass from center Makai Rhodes to put the Wildcats ahead 26-24.
Orange finished with 13 steals. Sophomore center Jalen Crayton had four blocks.
Orange junior point guard Kai Wade finished with ten points, eight assists and two steals. Wade has scored in double figures in all eight games this season for the Panthers. Wade started the season with a career-high 30 points against Voyager Academy.
Women’s basketball: Orange 52, East Chapel Hill 30: Orange senior center Marshea Byrd tied her season-high with ten points while Evelyn George finished with 12 points and ten rebounds as the Lady Panthers defeated the Wildcats for the fifth straight time.
George registered her fifth double-double of the season and the 15th of her career. George recorded her first double-double during her freshman year against Reidsville during the Eastern Guilford Holiday Tournament on December 27, 2021.
George has scored in double figures in all seven of Orange’s games this year. She recorded her career high with 26 points in a loss to Chapel Hill last week.
East Chapel Hill (1-8) was led by Alana Burroughs with eleven points.
The Wildcats Lauren Steiner scored the game’s opening field goal, but Orange pulled off 12 straight points to turn it into a rout. After Byrd scored the Lady Panthers’ opening field goal, Kyla Mehl drained a 3-pointer off a a pass from junior point guard Maura McMurtry. Byrd added another field goal, followed by another trey from McMurtry. Alexis Stephens, who scored six points in the first half, scored on a short jumper. Orange shot 7-of-13 from the field in the first quarter.
Stephens scored the first four points of the second quarter to expand Orange’s lead to 21-6. The Lady Panthers held the Wildcats to one field goal in the second quarter to take a 26-10 halftime lead. Orange grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and outrebounded the Wildcats 44-35.
Orange will face Western Alamance, the two-time defending Central Conference champions, tonight (Friday) at Panther Gymnasium.
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.
