Orange Wrestling

Orange Wrestling: Four Orange wrestlers went undefeated during its annual trip to Oakboro for the West Stanly Duals on Saturday.

In five dual matches, Orange went 4-1 on the day. The Panthers defeated Albermarle 47-27; defeated North Stanly 54-28; won over Scotland County 57-21 and rolled past West Stanly 50-27. Porter Ridge handed Orange its only loss 48-35.

Andre Hill, at 175 pounds, improved to 28-2 with five wins on the day. He pinned three opponents, finishing Kaine McLendon of Albermarle, Krizangel Flores of Porter Ridge and Wesley Shutt of West Stanly. Hill is now 28-2 with 20 pins this season. Hill was coming off a third-place finish at the Tiger Holiday Classic at Chapel Hill High School on December 22 and 23.

At 126 pounds, Braden Crawford also collected five wins to improve to 23-1 with 14 pins. Crawford pinned Maddox Cheek of Porter Ridge, Darius West of Scotland County and Mason Hyatt of West Stanly. He started the day with a technical fall over Andrew Weizer of Albermarle 17-2. Crawford has won his last nine matches.

At 138 pounds, Jared Hutchins earned three pins and two technical falls. He pinned Armando Popca of Albermarle, Max Montleleone of North Stanly and Donerio Graham of Scotland County. Hutchins also defeated Asland Demurchivev of Porter Ridge 15-0 in a tech fall. Hutchins earned another tech fall win over Kahle Martin of West Stanly 18-3. Hutchins who finished sixth at 138 pounds in the Tiger Classic, is 25-7 with 20 pins.

At 113 pounds, Logan Scarantino won four matches on the day, three by pinfall. Scarantino pinned Moises Carrillo of Albermarle, Henry Smith of North Stanly and Jared Gladden of Scotland County. He also had a forfeit victory over Porter Ridge. Scarantino is 18-4 with 12 pins this season.

Orange competed the whole day while having to forfeit in the 215 and 285 pound weight classes in each match.

Cedar Ridge Wrestling: Cedar Ridge was one of dozens of teams to compete in the Gate City Grapple at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex last weekend. The event moved to the Triad this year after residing in Charlotte since 2011.

57 teams from four states competed in the final event of the 2023 calendar year. Cedar Ridge placed four competitors en route to a 17th place finish.

The highest placer of the day was Pierce Prescod at 120 pounds. Prescod reached the consolation final, where he fell to Amir Wray-Hill of Deep Creek (VA) in a 9-2 decision. Prescod scored four wins in the event, including a thrilling victory over Hudson Catullo of Green Hope. Prescod won 7-6 in the opening round of sudden victory.

Prescod scored pins over Cody Michael of Northern Guilford and Faroq Busesou of Athens Drive. He reached the consolation final by beating George Coleman of Fred T. Foard. On the season, Prescod is 32-6 with 24 pins.

Kaden Tatro finished in sixth place at 175 pounds. Tatro opened by pinning Ricky Cedeneo of Riverbend (VA) in 1:01. Connor Reese of T.C. Roberson edged Tatro 4-2 in the second round, dealing the senior just his second loss of the season. In the consolation round, Tatro pinned Karvin Magwood of New Bern, and scored decision wins against Carson Wince of Shelby Crest and Ian Harris of Greensboro Page. James Ellison of Lumberton defeated Tatro in the fifth place match 5-0. Tatro is 32-4 this season with 16 pins.

Junior Ryan Rakouskas finished in eighth place at 157 pounds. Rakouskas opened with a Gurshan Singh of Deep End for his 19th pinfall of the season. After falling to Jacob Crump of North Pitt in the quarterfinals, Rakouskas pinned Reilly Berger of Woodmont in the consolation round. Rakouskas is 23-10 with 20 pins this season.

Angus Pritchard finished in eighth place at 150 pounds. Pritchard won his opening two matches to reach the quarterfinals. He started by pinning Jonathan Nguyen of Northeastern in the opening round, then pinned Trevon Waters of Central Cabarrus. Carson Main of Riverbend defeated Pritchard in the quarterfinals. In the consolation round, Pritchard defeated Patrick Martin of Catholic High School.

Even with the youngest Orange wrestling team in years, the Panthers captured the overall title at the Eagle Invitational in Mebane.

Andre Hill, Jared Hutchins, Braden Crawford and Logan Scarantino all won individual championships at the event held at the Mebane Arts & Community Center on December 15 and 16. Hill captured the 175-pound championship, his second individual tournament championship this season, and was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the upper-weight classes.

Hutchins, who scored pins in all four of his matches, claimed his first individual championship of the season. He was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the lower-weight classes.

Overall, Orange placed eight wrestlers to capture its first team title of the 2023-2024 campaign, finishing with 206 points. Southern Alamance, the Panthers’ Central Conference rival, finished second with 147.5 points. Randleman finished third at 142 points.

In the 175-pound tournament final, Hill defeated Zeke May of Western Alamance 14-10 in a match that had three lead changes. May scored the opening four points after a takedown 37 seconds into the match and scored two near fall points. Shortly afterwards, Hill scored an escape, gained May’s back and earned two back points of his own to take a 5-4 lead. May escaped to even the match 5-5 at the end of the first period.

May started the second period from the bottom and took a 7-5 lead after he mounted an escape. After May was penalized a point for stalling, Hill gained an 8-7 lead following a reversal. In the third period, Hill gained two more points after May was called for stalling. Hill earned a reversal point to go ahead 14-7 and rode out the win from there. Hill improved to 19-1.

In the opening round, Hill pinned Evan Gerringer of Southern Alamance in 1:52. In the quarterfianls, Hill built a 15-2 lead before he pinned Clinton Williamson of East Chapel Hill in 3:45. Hill scored his 15th pin of the season when he defeated Parker Peters of Northern Guilford in 4:11 in the semifinals.

Hutchins pinned Cameron Stokes of Bartlett Yancey in just 24 seconds in the 138-pound final to conclude a dominant run to the title. None of Hutchins’ four matches went beyond one minute long. In the semifinals, Hutchins pinned Chasen Phillips of Eastern Alamance in 45 seconds. Hutchins finished off Shane Shuster of East Chapel Hill in 23 seconds. He opened the tournament by pinning Jonathan Mosqueda of Western Alamance in 44 seconds. Hutchins improved to 18-3 with 15 pins on the season.

Two weeks after he won the Jim King/Orange Invitational, Crawford won the 126-pound championship when he pinned Trenton Coleman of Tunstall in 2:59. It was Crawford’s eleventh pinfall victory of the season. Crawford ended the tournament with a 18-1 record.

In the semifinals, Crawford defeated Jalen Allen of Northern Guilford 6-0. Crawford scored the opening takedown in the opening minute and never looked back. In the quarterfinals, Crawford pinned Riley Neil of Southern Alamance in 44 seconds. Crawford opened the tournament with a pin of Tha Moo of T.W. Andrews in 53 seconds.

Scarantino entered the 113-pound championship as the #2 seed. He defeated the #1 seed, Elijah Watson of Eastern Alamance, 11-1 in the final. After a scoreless first period, Scarantino earned the opening points of the match after he escaped with 35 seconds remaining in the second period. Scarantino’s finally got the opening takedown and earned three points for a near fall.

In the semifinals, Scarantino fought back from an early deficit to defeat Blake Abbott of Northwest Guilford 6-3. Abbott took Scarantino just 12 seconds into the match, but Scarantino escaped and earned a double-leg takedown to take a 3-2 lead at the end of the first period. Scarantino pinned Nattapat Bhorchim of Western Guilford in 31 seconds in the quarterfinals.

Several other Panthers placed for the first time this season. At 144 pounds, Talan Pearly came in third. In the consolation final, Pearly pinned Justin Shumaker of Bartlett Yancey in 3:45.

At 190 pounds, Jayden Medley was runner-up, the best finish of his career. In the semifinals, Medley pinned the #1 seed, Kaw Poe of T.W. Andrews, in 4:32. Chazz May of Western Alamance won the championship.

At 106 pounds, Chris Winstead finished 4th. Winstead pinned Moses Medina of Northwest Guilford in the quarterfinals. In the consolation round, Winstead pinned Zackary Pisani of Southeast Alamance.

Adrian Sierra finished fourth at 113 pounds. Sierra came away from the tournament with his eighth win of the season.

It was another strong finish for Orange senior wrestler Andre Hill at the Tiger Holiday Classic. At 175 pounds, Hill finished third in the midst of a deep field that included Kaden Tatro of Cedar Ridge and Brock Sullivan of Union Pines. Hill defeated Dominic Hittepole of Wheatmore to finish in third place on Saturday. Hill earned a 10-3 decision for his 22nd win of the season. Hill opened the tournament by pinning Matthew Lineberry of Gray’s Creek in 3:18. In the quarterfinals, Hill defeated Erik Pendlebury of St. Christopher’s (Virginia) in 1:34. Hill lost to Sullivan, the eventual champion, in the semifinals. Already tis year, Hill has won individual championships at the Jim King/Orange Invitational in Hillsborough and the Eagle Invitational in Mebane. Among his 22 victories, he has 18 pins. Hill has been an offensive lineman for the Orange football team the past three seasons, which helped helm cultivate his skills on the wrestling mat. This was the first time that Hill has placed in the Tiger Holiday Classic, one of the most prestigious wrestling meets in the southeast. This Saturday, Hill will look to conclude the 2023 calendar year in style. Orange will venture to Oakboro to participate in the West Stanly Duals.

Orange senior wrestler Andre Hill discusses 3rd place finish at Tiger Holiday Wrestling Classic

It was another strong finish for Orange senior wrestler Andre Hill at the Tiger Holiday Classic. At 175 pounds, Hill finished third in the midst of a deep field that included Kaden Tatro of Cedar Ridge and Brock Sullivan of Union Pines. Hill defeated Dominic Hittepole of Wheatmore to finish in third place on Saturday.

Orange junior Braden Crawford captured his first Jim King/Orange Invitational on December 2nd. Crawford, a junior, pinned Tiaj Thao of Davie County in 1:02 in the championship match. Crawford entered the tournament as the #2 seed and opened with a pinfall victory over Jackie Crozier of East Chapel Hill in 3:16. In the semifinals, Crawford defeated Tremayne McNeely of Eastern Guilford 5-1. Following the championship at the Jim King, Crawford had a record of 7-0 with two pins. He went on to win three matches at the Cedar Ridge Quad at Cedar Ridge High School last week. Crawford pinned Nathan Vendura of Cedar Ridge. Crawford also won his match against Eastern Guilford via forfeit. Against Rosewood, Crawford defeated Brayden Holmes 6-1. Following a 2nd place finish at the Joe Via Memorial at South Stokes High School over the weekend in the 126 pound division, Crawford has a 12-1 record. Once again he faced McNeely, this time in the championship match. This time, McNeely captured the win in sudden victory 4-2. Crawford will continue his season against Person High School tonight in Roxboro in an important dual match. This is the youngest Orange wrestling team in years. Crawford, a junior, has found himself in a leadership role on a team that lost ten starters from last year.

Orange wrestler Braden Crawford discusses his 126 lb. championship at Jim King/Orange Invitational

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The Jim King/Orange Invitational is a staple during the opening weekend of December at Orange High School.

During a time of transition for the Orange wrestling team, the Panthers still crowned two individual champions on Saturday. At 126 pounds, junior Braden Crawford captured his first JKO championship.

In the most competitive championship match of a lengthy day, Orange senior Andre Hill earned his first JKO title at 170 pounds.

Crawford, whose sister Josie recently won a regional championship in volleyball for Orange, pinned Tiaj Thao of Davie County in the 126 pound championship match. Thao, the top-seed with a 11-0 record going into the final, shot in for the opening takedown. Crawford eluded Thao and gained his side, then pushed off his legs to put Thao on his back. Crawford scored the pin in 1:00.

Crawford, who is now 8-0 on the season, pinned East Chapel Hill’s Jackie Crozier of East Chapel Hill in 3:16 in the second round. In the quarterfinals, Crawford defeated Connor Herbert of Hough 7-2. Following a scoreless first period, Crawford gained three back points on a near fall to take a 6-2 lead midway through the third period. In the semifinals, Crawford held off Tremayne McNeely of Eastern Guilford 5-1. Crawford scored a takedown with 14 seconds remaining in the first period and never trailed again.

Hill, an offensive lineman for the Orange football team, had a hotly contested final against Giancarlo Evans of Hough. Evans led 2-1 at the end of the first period. On the coin toss to start the second period, Evans elected to start from the bottom. Hill struggled the entire period to gain the escape point to tie the match. Hill broke free, but Evans wrapped his arm around his leg to maintain contact. At first, the officials ruled Hill had not escaped, but changed course at the end of the period.

With things all square at 2-2 to begin the third, Evans got an escape. Hill gained Evans back with 1:04 remaining to take the lead, then held on for all he was worth to keep Evans from escaping. Hill’s grip was strong enough to gain the win 4-3. Hill, who was seeded #3, is 10-0.

In a tight team race, Eastern Guilford won the team title on the penultimate match of a long second day. In the 215 pound championship match, Xavier Wilson pinned Jiwaun Flemming of Pine Forest in 2:47 to earn the Wildcats six points.

Davie County could have tied the Wildcats in the final championship match of the day. At heavyweight, the War Eagles’ Ryder Strickland defeated Eastern Guilford’s Christopher Riley 3-1 in sudden victory, while only gave Davie County three points. Eastern Guilford won the team title with 264 points, while the War Eagles finished with 261.

Orange senior Jared Hutchins, who qualified for the state championships last year, finished 2nd at 138 pounds. Hutchins defeated Andrew Davis of Davie County 16-7, Jackson Rowling of Hough took a big lead early in the championship match, then held on to defeat Hutchins 6-4.

Hutchins pinned Cedell Alexander of Northern Durham in 2;50 of the second round. Hutchins scored a major decision over Andrew Matters of Cary 11-1 in the quarterfinals.

At 106 pounds, Orange senior Chris Winstead finished fifth, the only other Panther to place. Facing Tyron Grant of Pine Forest in the fifth place match, Winstead blocked a shot in the second period. He pinned Grant at 1:14.

The JKO also had a women’s event this year. Ava Lytle of Orange finished highest in the female tournament. She came in 2nd at 126 pounds. Alfa Dominguez of Cary won the final over Lytle 3-1 in the championship. At 165 pounds, Kode Phillips of Orange finished in fifth place. Millbrook was the women’s team championship with 137 points, barely holding off Wake County rival Cary, who had 134 points.

Braden Homsey: After four years as a competitor for the Ferrum College wrestling team in Virginia, Homsey has now joined the staff of the Ferrum Panthers. Homesey qualified twice for the NCAA Division III Tournament at Ferrum, in 2020 and 2023. In February, Homsey won the 197-pound championship of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. At the Southeast Regional, Homsey finished 2nd, beating Cameron Butka of Wilkes College in the semifinals via a 7-5 decision. Overall in his senior season, Homsey placed in four tournaments. During his career at Ferrum, Homsey wrestled for five different teams.

Trenton Gill: The Chicago Bears fell to 0-4 on the season when they lost to the Denver Broncos 31-28 at Solider Field on Sunday. The Bears led 28-14 going into the fourth quarter. Gill only had two punts on the day. He averaged 45 yards per punt. His longest punt was 56 yards. One of them was downed inside the 20-yard line. The Bears will travel to Washington next Sunday.

Payton Wilson: Wilson was the leading tackler once again for the N.C. State football team in its 13-10 loss to Louisville at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. Wilson finished with ten tackles. He had two tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Also, Wilson carried the ball on a fake punt, rushing for three yards to convert a 4th-down. The Wolfpack are 3-2, 1-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. They will host Marshall in Raleigh on Saturday.

Darius Satterfield: The Elizabeth City State Vikings suffered a disappointing Homecoming loss to Johnson C. Smith 21-20 at Roebuck Stadium in Elizabeth City State on Saturday. The Vikings led 20-7 going into the fourth quarter before the Bulls scored 14 unanswered points. Satterfield averaged 39.2 yards on four punts. He had a 57-yard punt, his longest of the day. Two of the punts were downed inside the 20-yard line. Elizabeth City State 1-4, 0-3 in the CIAA. The Vikings will host Virginia Union next Saturday.

Braxton Mergenthal: The Division III Hampden-Sydney football team lost a heartbreaker to Bridgewater College 39-38 at Everett Stadium in Hampden Sydney, VA on Saturday. The Eagles scored the game-winning touchdown with  23 seconds remaining. Mergenthal had three tackles for the Tigers. Hampden-Sydney is 2-2 overall, 0-1 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. They will host Ferrum next Saturday.

Bryse Wilson: Wilson concluded his first regular season with the Milwaukee Brewers, who clinched the National League Central division championship. On Friday, Wilson recorded his fifth hold of the season as the Brewers defeated the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Friday at American Family Field. He threw one shutout inning with one hit allowed and one strikeout. For the regular season, Wilson made 76.2 innings. He finished with three saves, five holds, a 2.58 ERA and 61 strikeouts with 22 walks. The Brewers will start play in the National League Wildcard series, a best-of-three set, against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday. Game one will be at American Family Field.

Ivy Garner: The Liberty women’s soccer team suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday. New Mexico State defeated Liberty 2-0 at Osborne Stadium in Lynchburg, VA on Saturday. It was also the Flames first Conference USA loss ever. Garner started and played 63 minutes at midfield. She fired two shots. Liberty is now 11-1 overall, 2-1 in Conference USA. They will face Florida International in Miami on Saturday.

Emerson Talley: The Division II Lenoir-Rhyne women’s soccer team remains undefeated in the South Atlantic Conference. On Saturday, the Bears defeated Wingate 2-0 at WU Soccer Complex. Talley played the full 90 minutes at midfield. The Bears are now 7-0-3 overall, 5-0 in the SAC. On Wednesday, they will travel to Emory & Henry.

Will Berger: The Wofford men’s cross country team competed in the Adidas Invitational at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC on Saturday. In a seven-team meet, the Terriers finished fourth. Berger finished 55th among 77 runners with a time of 30:38.4. Wofford will return to action on October 14 with a meet at South Carolina-Upstate in Spartanburg, S.C.

Braden Homsey: Homsey ended his senior season at Division III Ferrum College as the all-time wins leader in school history. Competing at the Division III National Championships at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, VA, Homsey lost his opening match in the 197-pound championship to Dylan Wellbaum of Adrian College. Homsey advanced in the consolation bracket by forfeit over Gage Linahon of Central College. Josh Harkless of Rochester Institute of Technology pinned Homsey in an elimination match. Last month, Homsey defeated Gable Crebs of Lycoming 10-2 to become the Panthers’ all-time wins leader with 110 victories.

Joey McMullin: McMullin ended a two-year stint with the Sandhills Community College men’s basketball team when the Flyers reached the National Junior Community College Division III National Championship game against Brookdale Community College on March 18. It was the third time the Flyers reached the national title game. Brookdale defeated Sandhills 90-82 in Herkimer, NY. McMullin scored six points in 12 minutes in his final game for the Flyers. He shot 3-of-8 from the field and also had two rebounds. On March 4, Sandhills won the Mid-Atlantic District championship when they defeated Butler County Community College 114-91. McMullin came off the bench to score 22 points in 21 minutes. He shot 10-of-14 from the field and grabbed six rebounds. In the opening round of the Division III National Tournament, Sandhills defeated Mohawk Valley Community College 92-85. McMullin had eight points and three rebounds. In the semifinals, Sandhills defeated Northampton Community College 88-78. McMullin had eleven points, one of four Flyers in double-figures. This season, McMullin was the second-leading scorer on the team with 14 points per game. He also averaged 3.8 rebounds per game. Sandhills ends the year 30-4 and the Region X Champions of the NJCAA.

Ashley Cowan: Cowan, who graduated from Orange in 2021, is in her freshman year as a gymnast at LSU. She made her college debut on February 10 against #5 Auburn. She registered an 9.775 on the uneven bars. Auburn was the dual meet 197.750 to 197.500. On March 10, Cowan registered a career-best 9.990 on the uneven bars as the Tigers defeated West Virginia 198.025-196.450 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rogue, LA. On March 3, during the Podium Challenge, Cowan scored a 9.850 against George Washington. The Tigers, ranked #6 in the country, finished 3rd at the Southeastern Conference championships in Duluth, GA over the weekend.

Bryse Wilson: As the regular season creeps closer for Major League Baseball, Wilson has appeared in six Spring Training games for the Milwaukee Brewers. On February 27, Wilson threw a scoreless relief inning against Kansas City. He surrendered one hit. Against Cleveland on March 3, Wilson started and threw two innings. He struck out four and allowed one hit. On March 13 against Cincinnati, Wilson threw three-and-two-thirds innings and allowed one hit. He had two walks and two strikeouts. In six games, Wilson threw 13.2 innings and had a 6.59 ERA with strikeouts and three walks. Milwaukee starts the season against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday.

Joey Berini: Berini is starting regularly for the #8 East Carolina baseball team this season. On Tuesday, UNC Wilmington defeated the Pirates 9-3 at Clark-LeClaire Stadium in Greenville. Berini finished 0-for-2. Over the weekend, the Pirates swept a three-game series from George Mason. Berini went 1-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt as ECU defeated George Mason 11-3 on Friday. Berini went 1-for-2 in the Pirates’ 8-1 win over the Colonials on Saturday. Berini hit his first home run of the season on Sunday as the Pirates rolled to an 8-0 win in eight innings on Sunday. This season, Berini is hitting .318 over 23 games, 22 of which he has started. He has two home runs with nine RBIs. After he spent much of 2022 at second base, Berini is starting at shortstop, the position he played at Orange.

Dante DeFranco: DeFracno has played 19 games this season for the Charlotte 49ers, who are in their final season in Conference USA. He is hitting .269 with eight RBIs. On March 18, DeFranco went 5-for-5 as the 49ers defeated Louisiana Tech 14-6 at JC Love Field in Ruston, LA. DeFranco had three RBIs and a double. On Sunday, DeFranco went 1-for-4 with two RBIs in the 49ers 8-1 win over Dallas Baptist at Hayes Stadium in Charlotte. The 49ers are 11-13, 3-3 in CUSA.

Phillip Berger: The all-time winningest pitcher in Cedar Ridge history, Berger has started his junior season at Division III William Peace University in Raleigh. Berger is 5-1 with a 3.41 ERA. On Sunday, Berger earned the win as the Pacers defeated Mary Baldwin 15-3 at Moxie Stadium in Staunton, VA. Berger threw five innings and allowed three runs off six hits. He struck out four with three walks. On March 18, Berger took the win as the Pacers defeated #17 Methodist 9-7 at the USA Baseball Complex in Cary. Berger surrendered only one run off four hits with three strikeouts. William Peace is 11-11, 4-2 in the USA South Athletic Conference.

Cooper Porter: The Pensacola State Pirates of the National Junior College Athletic Association are 26-7 overall. Porter has appeared in eleven games for the Pirate and is hitting .154 with one RBI.

Will Walker: In 21 games this season for the Pitt Community College baseball team, Walker is hitting .344 with two home runs with 19 RBIs. On Saturday, Walker hit a home run and finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs as the Bulldogs defeated Bryant & Stratton College 14-3 at Minges-Overton Complex in Greenville. On March 22, Walker went 2-for-5 as Pitt edged Louisburg College 11-10 in eleven innings. Walker drew a bases-loaded walk in the eighth inning to bring in the game-tying run.

Davis Horton: The 2021 Big 8 Conference Player of the Year, Horton continues to catch regularly for the Rockingham Community College baseball team. In 26 games, Horton is hitting .293 with 20 RBIs. He has a team-high 92 at-bats. On Sunday, in Rockingham’s 4-3 win over Surry Community College, Horton went 2-for-4 with an RBI double. He started at first base. In the opening game of Saturday’s doubleheader against Surry, Horton went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI as the Eagles won 9-8.

Photo courtesy of Ferrum College 

(Editor’s note: We’ll catch up with softball and lacrosse players later this week. This column was already nearly 800 words without softball) 

Braden Homsey: On the verge of setting the Ferrum College record for most career wins, Homsey won the 197-pound championship of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference at Winchester, VA last weekend. Homsey scored a technical fall over Jaden Murk of Southern Virginia University. In the championship match, Homsey defeated Ryan John Sedovy of Washington & Lee University 3-1. Ferrum University will host the Division III National Championships on March 10-11 at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, VA.

Conner Crabtree: On his Facebook page, Crabtree announced that he would end his college basketball career after undergoing surgery on his right pinky finger. It’ the fifth time he has undergone surgery. Crabtree had already missed five games for the Richmond Spiders this season because of an ankle injury. Crabtree has played for the Richmond Spiders since January 4. He played in seven games this season and scored five points. After a stint at Hargrave Military Academy, Crabtree started his college career with Tulane under former Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. He averaged 7.1 points per game while appearing in 30 games with 15 starts. He transferred to Richmond in 2020. In his sophomore year, he appeared in four games, averaging 4.8 points per game. He fractured his right foot in late December 2020 and missed the rest of the season. In his junior year, he averaged 2.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in 35 games. Crabtree was the leader for an Orange team that won the 2016 Eastern Guilford Holiday Invitational Tournament, the last time the Panthers won any basketball tournament. He was also the leading scorer for Orange in his senior year when they won the Big 8 Regular Season Championship and reached the state quarterfinals of the 3A State Tournament.

Joey McMullin: The Sandhills Community College men’s basketball team finished regular season play with a 110-88 win over Gateway Community College in Clifton Forge, VA on Saturday afternoon. McMullin scored 19 points. Sandhills won the Region X Regular Season Championship with a 6-0 league record. The Flyers are 26-3 overall. McMullin went 6-of-13 from the field and added nine rebounds and two assists. Sandhills edged Blue Lights College 100-99 in Pinehurst on February 11. McMullin was honored during Sophomore Day. In a dramatic win, the Flyers reeled off an 11-0 run to win its 12th straight game. McMullin scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds. He shot 7-of-11 from the field.

Joey Berini: Now a junior, Berini started twice for the #11 East Carolina baseball team in its season-opening weekend series over George Washington. In ECU’s 9-5 win over the Colonials in the opening game of a doubleheader on Saturday, Berini went 0-for-2 with a walk. He started at second base. On Sunday, Berini went 2-for-4 with an RBI single as the Pirates swamped the Colonials 20-5.

Will Walker: The Pitt Community College baseball team has opened the season with seven consecutive wins. Pitt opened the year with a 9-0 win over Camp Community College. Walker started at first base and went 0-for-4. Walker went 0-for-2 as the Bulldogs whipped Bryant & Stratton Colley 15-1 in the latter game of a doubleheader at Trant Field in Virginia Beach, VA. Pitt defeated Camp Community College 19-11 on February 15. Walker entered the game as a reserve and went 1-for-3 with a double. Last weekend, the Bulldogs swept Richard Bland Community College in a three-game series. Walker played in a reserve role in the opening 5-2 win. In the nightcap of Saturday’s doubleheader, Walker had his biggest game of the season. He hit a three-run homer in the 6th inning to put the Bulldogs ahead 7-2. Walker finished the day 2-for-3 with four RBIs. On Sunday, Pitt completed the weekend sweep with a 7-2 victory. Walker went 1-for-3 with an RBI single that opened the scoring in the 2nd inning.

Davis Horton: Horton, the 2021 Big 8 Conference Player of the Year as a catcher for Orange, is already starting as a designated hitter during his freshman season for Rockingham Community College. In his first game with the Eagles, Horton went 1-for-3 with a double as Rockingham defeated Patrick & Henry 5-2 on February 4. Horton went 0-for-4 on February 5, which Patrick & Henry won 6-1 in the first game of a doubleheader. In the second game, Horton went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, but the Patriots defeated the Eagles 15-5. On February 11 & 12, Guilford Technical Community College swept a two-game series from Rockingham. The Titans won the opening game 10-1. Horton went 0-for-2 with a walk. Horton had an RBI single and went 1-for-3 in the second game of the series, which Guilford won 11-3. On February 15, Rockingham split a doubleheader against Pro 5 Academy. The Eagles won the opening game 7-5 in nine innings. Horton went 0-for-5 with an RBI. Pro 5 Academy took the second game 10-3. Horton, who started as catcher, went 0-for-3 with a walk.

Acoya Isley’s nickname on the Orange wrestling team is “Alabama.”

It’s a natural nickname for somebody born around the time Nick Saban started his revival of the Alabama football program and molded it into the most successful dynasty in modern college sports. Crimson Tide fans have a noticeable population around Orange County, even if the main attraction is based simply on winning rather than geography.

Except Isley isn’t an Alabama fan. In fact, he has no idea how he got the nickname “Alabama.”

“It’s an old football nickname I got my freshman year,” Isley said. “It’s kinda just stuck ever since. They just say it because I’m crazy. I don’t know how I got it. It’s just ‘Bama Isley.’ You learn not to question it. I don’t even watch Alabama play football.”

As of last week, Isley has a new moniker: a regional wrestling champion.

At Cedar Ridge High School last Saturday, Isley defeated top-seeded Karin Sain of Eastern Guilford via injury stoppage at 2:53 to win the 195-pound championship. Isley, who is 32-2 on the season, became the first Orange wrestler to win a regional championship since Levi Anderson captured the 145-pound title in 2019.

Isley, who finished 3rd in the 2022 regionals, faced top-seeded Karin Sein of Eastern Guilford in the championship match. It took Isley 41 seconds to gain the match’s only takedown with a single-leg where Sein conceded his back. With 12 seconds remaining in the first period, Sein escaped to reduce Isley’s lead to 2-1. Sein attempted to take Isley’s legs out from under him, but couldn’t gain a change in position as the buzzer sounded on the opening period.

Isley started the second period on top and grabbed a waist lock takedown. With Sein facing the mat, Isley sank in a half-nelson and attempted to score back points when the official stopped the match to check on an injury to Sein. Following several minutes, Sein couldn’t continue as he favored his right shoulder. Isley was declared the winner for the 54th time in his Orange career.

Orange junior Jared Hutchins reached the finals of the 132-pound tournament. Hutchins scored a 10-5 decision over Eastern Guilford’s Malachi Hamilton in the semifinals. Hutchins, who is 25-5, pinned Emil Shaji of Carrboro in 41 seconds during the opening round. Douglas Byrd’s Cristian Rothrock won a thrilling final match against Hutchins 10-8. After Hutchins escaped to even the match 8-8, Rothrock earned a double-leg takedown with five seconds remaining to take the match.

At 126 pounds, Orange’s Braden Crawford finished 2nd. Crawford opened the tournament with a pin of Carrboro’s Jackson Brooks. For the second time in as many weeks, Crawford faced Union Pines Joseph Lloyd. Previously, the two had met in the 3A Eastern Regional championship match in the 3A State Dual Team Tournament at Orange High, where Crawford won 6-5. This time, Crawford scored a late reversal to win 9-8. Crawford opened the match with four points in the first period, including a takedown just 22 seconds in. Crawford would advance to the championship match over Ethan Croom via forfeit. Southern Durham’s Demarion Garner claimed the regional tile when Crawford was injured in the championship match.

Cedar Ridge junior Kaden Tatro was the fourth finalist from a Hillsborough school on the day. Tatro, the second-seed at 182-pounds, reached the finals after he defeated Solomon Howell of Eastern Guilford 9-0 in the semifinals. Union Pines’ Nicholas Mascolino, the #1 seed, improved to 46-3 on the season when he pinned Tatro in 1:57 in the championship match.

Tatro, 52-5 on the year, opened the tournament with consecutive pinfall wins on the opening day, February 10. He defeated Scotland County’s Wyatt Locklear in 59 seconds. In the quarterfinals, Tatro finished off Chevelle Cade of Westover in 3:16.

Orange finished third in the team standings with 139.5 points. Cedar Ridge came in fourth at 115.5 points. Eastern Guilford captured the regional team championship with 206 points. Union Pines, the 3A Eastern Regional Dual Team Champions, came in second at 175.5 points.

Cedar Ridge and Orange each had four wrestlers qualify for the 3A State Championships at the Greensboro Coliseum. Red Wolves senior Fernando Martinez, the defending 113-pound Mideast Regional Champion, had a frustrating second day en route to a fourth-place finish. In the semifinals, Keaton Crawford of Union Pines defeated Martinez 10-7. Martinez led 5-4 at the end of a spirited first period where he got two back points after he notched a reversal. It was 6-6 at the end of the second period. Crawford scored a reversal to go ahead 8-6 with 1:12 remaining, then scored a near fall for two more points.

Martinez ensured a trip to the state championships after he dominated Sunday Oo of Northwood 16-1 in the consolation semifinals. In the 3rd place match, Martinez faced old rival Christian Lemaire of Person for the fourth time this year. Lemaire, who lost to Martinez last month in the Central Carolina Conference championship match at Orange High, defeated Martinez 4-2 in a match where all points were scored in the third period. After Martinez got the opening takedown, Lemaire escaped and got a double-leg with 44 seconds remaining.

Red Wolf sophomore Ryan Rakouskas advanced to the state championships for the first time in his career after he finished third at 145-pounds. Rakouskas pinned Jose Ortiz of Westover in the consolation semifinals in 4:54. He took the 3rd place match when Eastern Guilford’s Nasir Grant forfeited. Rakouskas, who is 36-18, opened the tournament with a pin over Joseph Vraback of Union Pines in 3:32. In the consolation round, Rakouskas pinned Daniel Edmonds of Fayetteville 71st in 1:48. He pinned John Mewborn of Harnett Central in 48 seconds.

At 195 pounds, Cedar Ridge’s James Este-Wittinger, seeded eighth, came in fourth at 195-pounds. Este-Wittinger defeated Rodriguez via pinfall in 4:44 in the consolation semifinals. Este-Wittinger opened with a pinfall win over Alex Parrilla of Triton in 3:53. In the consolation round, Este-Wittinger edged Western Alamance’s Cameron Pettigrew 3-2, then went to overtime to defeat Adaris McBride of West Johnston 10-8 to secure the match with Rodriguez. This is Este-Wittinger’s first trip to the 3A State Championships.

Also going to Greensboro for the first time will be Cedar Ridge senior Jalen Williams, who finished 4th at 126-pounds. Williams claimed a forfeit win over Ethan Croom of West Johnston in the consolation semifinals. Williams, who was a #10 seed, won four matches in the consolation round. He pinned Carrboro’s Jackson Brooks in 2:52 and also pinned Rylee Motten of 71st in 4:52.

Orange senior Ben Musser finished third at 138-pounds and earned his first trip to the state championships. Musser dominated Western Harnett’s Ben Rich, the #2 seed, in the consolation semifinals 11-1. Musser opened with a pin of Andrew Gross of 71st in 48 seconds. Musser scored wins over conference rivals Justin Hartsell of Cedar Ridge and Rodney Lyons of Person. He defeated William Sullivan of Douglas Byrd via forfeit in the 3rd place match.

There were also disappointments. The most controversial came at 120-pounds where Cedar Ridge sophomore Pierce Prescod, who was 2nd on the team with 44 wins this season, was disqualified in his consolation semifinal match against South Johnston’s Carson Cori. Just seconds into the first period, Prescod was penalized a point when he slammed Cori, who started favoring his back. Cori claimed an injury and said he couldn’t continue, which disqualified Prescod and led to Cori taking a spot in the state championships. A furious Prescod bolted the gym after he shook hands with Cori and darted into the school lobby after his season, which included two individual tournament championships, suddenly ended shy of his goal of getting to Greensboro.

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is senior wrestler Acoya Isley. This season, Isley is 34-2 with 23 pins, the highest pin percentage for the Panthers. In December, Isley won the 195-pound championship at the Eastern Alamance Eagle Invitational in Mebane. He followed that up with another win at the Quentin Crosby Invitational at Greensboro Dudley High School. In 2021, Isley won the 195-pound championship at the Jim King/Orange Invitational. He went undefeated against Central Carolina Conference opponents this year as Orange won the CCC regular season championship. In December, Isley finished 2nd at 195-pounds in the Tiger Holiday Classic, the highest finish of any Orange wrestler. Isley also played football the past two years. For reasons he has yet to figure out, Isley was given the name “Alabama’ by his teammates. On Wednesday night in his final two matches inside Panther Gymnasium, Isley scored pins in the State Dual Team wrestling playoffs. He pinned Swansboro’s Marcos Jimenez in 50 seconds. Against Union Pines, Isley pinned Dantrell Williams in 4:46. Isley will look to return to the state championships later this month. Next week, he will compete at the Mideast Regionals at Cedar Ridge High School.

Orange Panther of the Week: Acoya Isley

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is senior wrestler Acoya Isley. This season, Isley is 34-2 with 23 pins, the highest pin percentage for the Panthers. In December, Isley won the 195-pound championship at the Eastern Alamance Eagle Invitational in Mebane.