After a grueling week where they played three games in four days, the odds appeared steep for the Orange men’s basketball team on Friday night. They suited up only nine players against Chapel Hill and were missing starters Mekai Collins and Zyon Pettiford. But the Panthers overcame illness, fatigue and a powerful Chapel Hill front line to beat the Tigers 66-65 in double overtime at Tiger Gymnasium. Joey Mcmullin had to contend with 6-10 Chapel Hill center David Eileen for much of the game, but still had 18 points. Orange won at Chapel Hill for the first time since 2016. Even Orange’s 2017 Big 8 Championship team, led by Connor Crabtree and Logan Vosburg, lost to the Tigers in Chapel Hill. It was particularly sweet for Mcmullin since it was his birthday in a game that, to him, is still very much a rivalry.

This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is senior Cameron Koehler. Last week, Koehler joined Devin Bunner, Gabriel Castaneda and John Garcia is competing in the 3A Central Regional Swimming Championships at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. The group finished tenth in the 200 meter freestyle with a time of 1:37.89. Remarkably, this was the first season where Koehler competed in swimming. It was the fourth different sport that Koehler has participated in during his Cedar Ridge career. Last fall, he was named All-Big 8 Conference in men’s soccer, where he played goalkeeper and striker. This spring, as he awaits graduation, Koehler will play tennis.

Despite only playing softball for five years, Kara Wagoner has learned quickly. Last week, she officially signed with Montreat College. Wagoner, a 1st baseman for Cedar Ridge, hit .391 with 18 hits and 11 RBI last season. She led the team with six doubles. Wagoner learned softball after getting cut from the Stanback Middle School volleyball team. She owes much of her development to her uncle Brian Rhew, who worked with her for hours in the summer and fall to make her the player she is today. In addition to softball, Wagoner is the President of the Cedar Ridge FFA and has a 4.0 GPA.

Cedar Ridge 1st baseman Kara Wagoner discusses commitment to Montreat

Despite only playing softball for five years, Kara Wagoner has learned quickly. Last week, she officially signed with Montreat College. Wagoner, a 1st baseman for Cedar Ridge, hit .391 with 18 hits and 11 RBI last season. She led the team with six doubles.

It was a special night at Cedar Ridge Media Center on January 28, where dozens of friends, family and coaches gathered to watch Kymberlie Thacker officially commit to Brevard College. Thacker was an All-Big 8 Conference selection last season as a catcher. She led Cedar Ridge with seven home runs as the Red Wolves won its first conference championship in softball. Last summer, Thacker played for the Weekend Warriors travel team. Cedar Ridge will start softball practice next week with a goal of repeating at Big 8 Conference Champions.

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is senior wrestler Levi Anderson. This season, Anderson has won four individual tournament championships. Last week, he won both matches in the dual match playoffs as Orange defeated Eden Morehead in the 1st round, but lost to Cape Fear in the 2nd round. On Friday, Levi will start action in the 3A Mideast Regionals at Southeast Guilford High School. Last season, Anderson advanced to the 3A state tournament after finishing 3rd in the regionals.