Uncategorized

Last Thursday, Luke Roman became just the second men’s swimmer in Orange history to win a state championship. If Roman had not won, then his teammate Alex Andre would have. Roman and Andre finished in the top two in the 500 yard freestyle at the 3A State Championships inside the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary. Roman, who won the Central Conference and Central Regional championship in the 500 yards, captured first place with a time of 4:41.62. Andre earned the silver medal at 4:50.54. In the Central Regional championships at the Greensboro Aquatic Center on February 3, Andre won the 200 individual medley championship. Roman also claimed the Central Conference Championships in the 500 yard freestyle and the 200 yard freestyle. Andre captured two conference championships, as well, winning the 200 yard individual medley and the 100 yard backstroke. Roman and Andre’s leadership helped the Orange men’s swimming team win the Central Conference championship for the third straight season. The Panthers also finished 2nd in the Central Regional behind only Carrboro, it’s best-ever showing. The only other men’s swimmer from Orange High School to win a state championship was Ben Scott, who won the 100 yard freestyle in the 2018 3A State Championships. Roman and Andre are each juniors and will have plenty to look forward to in 2025.

Orange swimming’s Luke Roman & Alex Andre discuss 1-2 finish in 500 yard free state title race.

No Description

It was a perfect night for Orange men’s basketball.

Members of the 1969 Orange 3A State Championship team were seated behind the Panther bench. They reminisced about the old days and marveled at the modern day Orange team on the floor in front of them.

And what a show that saw.

In a game that bore no resemblance whatsoever to its previous tilt against Southern Alamance, Orange sophomore Coleman Cloer scored 40 points, a career-high, while sophomore center Mason Robinson added 14 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in a 93-39 rout of the Patriots at Panther Gymnasium. Orange, which never led in regulation in its first matchup against the Patriots, never trailed on Friday night.

Cloer’s outing was the most points for an Orange player since Jerec Thompson, who was in the building on Friday night, scored 40 points against Eastern Alamance in his final game at Panther Gymnasium on February 11, 2022.

Sophomore Kai Wade added a season-high ten assists as the Panthers won on Senior Night, where Ryan Honeycutt (out for the season with a broken thumb), Ryan Moss and Malykhai Justice were honored in a pregame ceremony.

Coming off its first conference loss to Person, the Panthers claimed a share of the Central Conference title with its most complete performance of the year.

The cherry on top of the sundae came roughly 45 minutes after the game from, of all places, Roxboro, where Orange had just lost on Tuesday night. Person rallied in the final minutes to beat Eastern Alamance 74-69, eliminating the Eagles from the title race.

With that, the Panthers claimed its first regular season championship since the 2016-17 season and the first for Orange coach Derryl Britt since he came aboard in 2018.

“I’m so happy for these guys,” Britt said before the Person game had ended. “They work really hard and I’ve put them through a lot. And I know I do. But when they can come out and have games like this….I tell them that on night like this, it should be a showcase. It should be a showcase to all the witnesses why we work so hard, why we’re so disciplined. They understand it.”

Of Orange’s ten conference wins, they never trailed in seven of them.

An outsider who had never seen these two teams before Friday night would find it inconceivable that, just seven weeks ago, the Patriots had the Panthers dead to rights in Graham. On December 14, Southern Alamance led 60-55 with :28 remaining in regulation. Cloer, in his first game of the season, hit two free throws with :5.8 left to tie the game, leading to an extra session and Orange winning in a 15-round war of a game.

The rematch was a first-round knockout.

Mason Robinson slammed home the opening points off an offensive rebound and they were off to the races. Cloer had a personal 7-0 run, including a lay-in off a feed from Wade, which led to a Southern Alamance time-out. Cloer and Xandrell Pennix closed out the first quarter with consecutive 3-pointers and Orange led 25-11 at the end of the first quarter.

Pennix opened the second quarter with a corner shot from beyond the arc, following by an ally-oop where Robinson laid in a feed from Freddy Sneed. That triggered a 14-1 run, which included two more three-pointers from Cloer and another from Pennix.

Orange shot 12-of-25 from 3-point range, with Pennix going 4-of-5. Cloer was 5-of-13 from downtown. Ethan Ellis, who was called up from the junior varsity, hit both of his 3-point attempts in his first varsity game.

Southern Alamance (13-9, 6-4) lost 6-foot-3 guard Liam Forester last month for reasons that the Patriots coaching staff didn’t care to discuss. Forester scored in double-figures in ten of his 16 games before he left the team after a loss to Burlington Christian Academy on January 15.

It was showtime in the second half, which included Cloer flushing down a 180-degree dunk and Sneed finally slamming home a dunk, sending the Orange student section into delirium.

The night was perfect right down to the junior varsity game, where Orange won 52-51 following a 3-pointer from James Kenley with nine seconds remaining. The junior varsity Panthers are coached by Orange graduate Robbie Liner.

The conference championship guarantees Orange a first-round home game in the 3A State Playoffs and a bye into the semifinals of the Central Conference Tournament. The semifinals will be held at Person High School, where Orange will play on February 20.

The last time Orange hosted a state playoff game, it was against Northern Guilford in the 3A State Quarterfinals. Without star Connor Crabtree, who injured his ankle against Triton in the 4th round, Northern Guilford held off the Panthers 56-48.

ORANGE 93, SOUTHERN ALAMANCE 39 

SOUTHERN ALAMANCE: (Jordan Moore 7, Seth Dalrymple 1, Riley Warren 4, Tyler Moore 7, Chris Epps 16,  Myles Darrouch 2, Kolby Kronbergs 2).

ORANGE: (Mason Robinson 14, Xandrell Pennix 14, Freddie Sneed 7, Kai Wade 7, Coleman Cloer 40, Ethan Ellis 6, Hector Garrido 5)

If last week felt odd around wrestling circles, it was. For only the second time since the State Dual Team Wrestling tournament was instituted by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association in 1990, Orange wasn’t in the field of 32. Orange, Cary, Davie County and St. Stephens shared the record for most appearances in the state dual team tournament with 33 appearances each. Nonetheless, the seniors for Orange wrestling celebrated Senior Night in style with a 57-24 win over Eastern Alamance on January 18. Andre Hill and Jared Hutchins were honored for 100 career victories. Also honored were Colton Jones, a starter at 144 pounds who has 13 wins this year; Rylan Brummer, a starter at 215 pounds; Talan Pearley, who was injured last month after starting the season with seven pinfall wins, Canaan Graphics, a starter at 165 pounds, and Chris Winstead, who is 20-15 at 106 pounds this season. Orange will venture to Cameron this weekend to the 3A Mideast Regionals at Union Pines High School. The opening round starts on Friday. The top four wrestlers from each weight class will qualify for the 3A State Championships at the Greensboro Coliseum, starting on February 15. The championship rounds will be held on February 17. Last year, Orange’s Acoya Isley wrestled for the state championship at 195 pounds. 

Orange wrestling seniors discuss Senior night win over Eastern Alamance

No Description

It was the final swim inside the pool at the Orange County Sportsplex for Orange senior Katie Belle Sikes on Wednesday night. Sikes started swimming at the Sportsplex when she was seven years old. She had no idea at that time what was ahead–three individual state championships, five regional championships and a scholarship to swim at the University of Georgia. On Thursday night, Sikes was named the Central Conference Female Swimmer of the Year after she won three conference championships. She captured the 100 yard freestyle and the 200 yard freestyle. She won the 200 with a time of 1:53.92. In the 100, Sikes touched the wall at 50.81 seconds. Sikes also teamed with Riley White, Ainsley Rasinske and Piper White to win the 200 yard freestyle relay. Sikes, White, Rasinske and White won the state championship in the same event in 2023. Sikes is the defending 3A State Champion in the 50 yard and 100 yard freestyle. She has won the state championship in the 50 yard in 2022 and 2023. The Orange women’s team won the Central Conference championship on Wednesday night with 444 points. Now, Sikes will focus on the Central Regional Championships at the Greensboro Aquatic Center next Saturday. Sikes has won the last three regional championships in the 50 yard freestyle.

Orange senior Katie Belle Sikes discusses final meet at Orange County Sportsplex

It was the final swim inside the pool at the Orange County Sportsplex for Orange senior Katie Belle Sikes on Wednesday night. Sikes started swimming at the Sportsplex when she was seven years old. She had no idea at that time what was ahead–three individual state championships, five regional championships and a scholarship to swim at the University of Georgia.

The Cedar Ridge women’s basketball team is in position to reach the 3A State Playoffs for the first time since 2018. The Red Wolves are 9-6 as they prepare to face Walter Williams in Burlington on Friday night. The Red Wolves defeated crosstown rival Orange last Wednesday behind 35 points from Amiyah Ware, which was the most points any player from Orange County has scored so far this year, regardless of gender. Last Monday, the Red Wolves defeated Chatham Central 46-35 at Red Wolves Gymnasium in its final nonconfernce game of the regular season. Ware led the Red Wolves with 17 points. Freshman Calla Lundberg, who was called up from the junior varsity team last month, chipped in with nine points as the Red Wolves reached nine wins in a season for the first time in six years. Lundberg and Kate Finnegan were both moved up to varsity before Christmas and have provided an immediate contribution. Cedar Ridge is only one game behind Orange, Western Alamance and Eastern Alamance for first place in the Central Conference as the second half of the conference campaign starts next week. Ware, who signed to play with Division II North Greenville, is having another All-Conference season. She scored 24 points in a loss to Eastern Alamance on Friday.

Cedar Ridge women’s basketball’s Amiyah Ware & Calla Lundberg discuss win over Chatham Central

No Description

Last month, Coltin and Wyatt Hedrick each signed letters of intent to play baseball at Wake Technical Community College. In 2023, the Orange baseball team won its third consecutive conference championship and they did it with their depth. The Panthers top two pitchers were injured for lengthy period of time, which forced all hands to be on deck against a challenging schedule. Coltin Hedrick, who was a junior last year, earned the win in relief against Walter Williams on March 24 in Hillsborough. Hedrick threw four-and-two-thirds innings to close out a 1-0 Panther win. He struck out four and allowed just one hit. The win would eventually propel the Panthers to the Central Conference championship. Wyatt Hedrick shared time with Cross Clayton at second base. The most memorable moment for Wyatt came in the second round of the 3A State Playoffs when Orange trailed Triton 8-3 going into the bottom of the tenth inning. Hedrick reached base twice during a six-run tenth inning. In his first trip, he walked and eventually scored when Ryan Hench was hit by a pitch. Moments after Neo Best tied the game at 8-8 with a bases-loaded walk, Hedrick delivered the game-winning hit with a single up the middle to complete the greatest comeback in school history. In that state playoff game, Wyatt went 3-for-5 with an RBI. Wyatt and Coltin will be instrumental parts for Orange this spring as it aims to repeat as Central Conference champions. The baseball season will start for Orange on February 28 against Northern Durham at Panther Field.

Orange baseball’s Coltin and Wyatt Hedrick officially sign with Wake Tech Community College

Last month, Coltin and Wyatt Hedrick each signed letters of intent to play baseball at Wake Technical Community College. In 2023, the Orange baseball team won its third consecutive conference championship and they did it with their depth. The Panthers top two pitchers were injured for lengthy period of time, which forced all hands to be on deck against a challenging schedule.

The Orange women’s basketball team has had three close games to open its Central Conference season with three big wins. On Friday night, the Panthers held on to defeat Walter Williams 46-44 at Panther Gymnasium. After Williams built a six-point lead early in the third quarter, Orange went on a 20-4 run behind balanced scoring from Evelyn George, Maura McMurtry, Shannon Murphy and Mariah Poole. George scored off a strip and steal and scored on a lay-in with 1:06 remaining in the third quarter. McMurtry started the fourth quarter with a three-pointer, followed by another lay-in from Georgia with 6:37 remaining in regulation, Orange’s final field goal of the game. McMurtry finished with nine pints and three assists while Addie Atkins had eight points and seven rebounds. Orange is atop the Central Conference with a 3-0 record with wins over Southern Alamance and Western Alamance. During the Southeast Alamance Holiday Hoopla Tournament in the final days of 2023, McMurtry was named to the All-Tournament team after she scored 12 points in a 48-39 win over Eastern Alamance in the 7th place game. Murphy also scored 12 points for Orange, who won despite not having George in the lineup. The Lady Panthers, under first-year head coach Lemont Jones, are 8-4 and goes into the Cedar Ridge game on a three-game winning streak.

No Title

The Orange women’s basketball team has had three close games to open its Central Conference season with three big wins. On Friday night, the Panthers held on to defeat Walter Williams 46-44 at Panther Gymnasium. After Williams built a six-point lead early in the third quarter, Orange went on a 20-4 run behind balanced scoring from Evelyn George, Maura McMurtry, Shannon Murphy and Mariah Poole.

Women’s basketball: Orange 34, Southern Alamance 31 In a new world within the Central Conference with Northwood now in the 2A ranks, Orange relied on one of its leaders for a last-minute rally against Southern Alamance.

Junior Evelyn George put Orange ahead after two free throws with :15 remaining to lead the Lady Panthers past the Patriots 34-31 in Hillsborugh on Thursday night. Southern Alamance led 31-28 with 1:48 remaining, but Orange scored the final six points in a game that was statistically incredible.

Orange sophomore Maura McMurtry scored 16 points to lead all scorers. George finished with 14 points, eight steals and four rebounds.  Morgan Isley paced Southern Alamance with 14 points.

Things looked good for the Patriots when Isley scored on a transition lay-in off a pass from Madison Brouillard with 1:46 remaining to increase Southern Alamance’s lead to 31-28. Following an Orange timeout, McMurtry took a pass from George and drained a strightaway three-pointer to tie the game. The Patriots missed two free throws on its subsequent possession. As George got the rebound under her own basket, she was fouled.

After George converted the free throws that proved to be the margin of victory, she stole the Patriots inbounds pass and added an insurance point from the line with seven seconds remaining.

The game had ten lead changes. Neither team led by more than five points.

The Lady Panthers won despite making just one two-point field goal the entire game. George scored on a stickback basket with 7:36 remaining in the second quarter. Orange shot 1-for-15 from 2-point range and just 19% from the field. Yet they finished 7-of-26 from 3-point range and 11-of-20 from the foul line, which was the game’s biggest difference.

The Patriots shot 5-of-17 from the stripe, 2-of-10 in the fourth quarter.

The Lady Panthers, under new head coach Lemont Jones, are 5-2 and have won four of its last five. They will play Northwest Guilford for its holiday tournament starting December 28.

Wrestling: Orange 42, Person 30: 

The Orange wrestling team scored six pins to defeat Person in Hillsborough on Wednesday night for its second Central Conference win of the season.

After dropping the opening 150-pound match, Orange scored four straight victories, including three pins. At 157 pounds, Andrew Pavalonis scored a 11-7 decision over Addison Carey for his second victory of the season. Then Conner Harward pinned Mason Grace at 165 pounds.

Orange’s Andre Hill defeated Davis Garrett to improve to 15-1 on the year. It was Hill’s 12th pin this year. He has individual tournament wins at the Jim King/Orange Invitational and at the Joe Via Memorial at South Stokes High School in Walnut Cove

Jayden Medley, in his first year as a starter, pinned Malakai Newman to put Orange ahead 21-6. Person’s Gavin Jones and all-conference selection Trevquan Gary each scored pins for Person at 215 and 285, respectively, narrowing Orange’s lead to 21-18.

That’s as close as Person would get. At 106 pounds, Chris Winstead improved to 12-5 by pinning Ryan Wilson in 4:16. Winstead has scored pins in six of his last nine matches going into the Eagle Invitational in Mebane.

Logan Scarantino held off Aydon Dymes of Person 12-10 at 113 pounds, putting Orange ahead 30-18. After Person’s Tavern Moss earned an 11-6 decision over Adrain Sierra, Orange junior Braeden Crawford pinned Gavin Campbell at 126 pounds. Crawford, who won his first JKO Invitational title earlier this month, improved to 14-1 with his eighth pin of the year.

Jamee Farmer kept Person’s faint hopes alive with a pin over Jackson Runkle at 138 pounds. But Orange’s Jared Hutchins ensured the Panthers win its a pin over Emanuel Garcia. Hutchins improved to 14-3 with eleven pins this season.

In dual matches, Orange is 3-6, 2-2 in the Central Conference. They will return to action with its traditional pre-Christmas Trip to the Tiger Holiday Classic at Chapel Hill High School on Friday. The tournament will conclude on Saturday.

It’s just the second week of high school swimming season and it’s already been a busy one for Katie Belle Sikes.

Last week, in her opening meet of her senior season at Orange at the Orange County Sportsplex, Sikes qualified for regionals in the 50 yard freestyle, where she is the two-time defending 3A State Champion. She also qualified in the 100 yard freestyle, a state championship she won last year, as well. She also qualified for regionals with Riley White, Piper White and Ainsley Rasinske in the 4×50 medley relay and the 4×100 yard medley relay. Sikes, White, Rasinske and White won the 4×50 state championship last year, the first relay team in Orange High history to win a state championship.

Orange defeated Southeast Alamance and Southern Alamance to win their opening dual meets of the year.

This weekend, Sikes took her considerable talents to the Speedo World Junior Championships. Competing at McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion on the campus of Ohio State University, Sikes finished second in the 50 yard freestyle among the East Region at 21.95 seconds. Sikes competed for her club team, East Carolina Aquatics, coached by Claudio Battaglini.

Only Julie Mishler of Syracuse, Indiana, who has committed to swim at the University of Louisville, finished ahead of Sikes at 21.87 seconds.

Sikes time in the 50 freestyle was also faster than everyone in the West Region except one swimmer. The West Region championships were held in Westmont, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, over the weekend.

In addition to her silver medal, Sikes also competed in the 100 freestyle at the World Junior Championships. She finished fifth in the 100 freestyle at 48.93 seconds. Sikes was one of only two competitors to finish in the top five in both the 50 and 100 yard freestyle. Jillian Crooks of North Carolina won the 100 meters after finishing 4th in the 50 yard.

Sikes also competed in the 100 yard butterfly, where she finished 21st.

Last month, Sikes formally committed to compete at the University of Georgia, a school that has won seven national championships in women’s swimming. She is the first female swimmer to win a state championship in Orange High history.

As a freshman, she won the Central Regional championship in the 50 yard freestyle and finished second in the 2021 state championships, which were contested in the midst of a pandemic. She has won the 2022 and 2023 3A State Championship in the 50 yard freestyle.

Sikes made the move to East Carolina Aquatics, where Battaglini put more of an emphasis on high school swimming. It led to Sikes being named the Most Outstanding Female Swimmer of the 2023 3A State Championships, where she won two individual state championships, along with the relay state title.