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Time will tell if the first game of 2024 was the point where Orange found its basketball legs.

But for the first time this season, the Panthers finally displayed a show of dominance.

In just its third home game, the Panthers roared out to a 15-0 lead and cruised to a 81-42 victory over Western Alamance on Wednesday night at Panthers Gymnasium. Coleman Cloer scored a season-high 30 points as the Panthers built a double-digit lead just 2:45 into the game. The Warriors didn’t get any closer than 14 points the rest of the game.

Josh Long, Hamilton Plunkett and Christian Hester paced the Warriors with six points each.

Orange was coming off three straight losses in the John Wall Invitational in Raleigh. The Panthers fell to Northwood and Jordan at Broughton High School, then fell to Broughton at William Peace University on Saturday in the 7th place game.

For the first time this season, Orange got off to a strong start. They shot 11-of-14 from the field in the opening quarter, draining all three of its 3-pointers. Cloer sliced through the Warriors’ repeated double teams and scored 15 points in the opening quarter, often absorbing contact while finishing drives to the basket.

Orange senior center Ryan Honeycutt scored 12 points and grabbed eleven rebounds. Sophomore Kai Wade added eleven points, including a deep three-pointer early in the third quarter.

The Warriors couldn’t get anything going on the interior because of Orange’s size. Sophomore forward Mason Robinson finished with five blocks. Late in the third quarter, Cloer lofted an ally–oop to Robinson, who flushed it down with vigor to increase Orange’s lead to 66-36 at the end of the third quarter.

While the starters didn’t play in the fourth quarter, that didn’t mean the highlights were over. Freddy Sneed shot down the court and scored a thunderous one-handed dunk that sent the gym reeling. Sneed then scored again off a strip and steal. He finished with seven points.

It was the second time in his Orange career that Cloer reached the 30-point barrier. Last January, Cloer set his career-high with 35 points against Person in Roxboro.

Though the Panthers are only two games into the Central Conference season, they’re already alone atop the league. Walter Williams fell to Southern Alamance on Tuesday.

The Panthers will host Williams on Friday night in Hillsborough. The Bulldogs are under the direction of new head coach Jimmy Lloyd, who replaced legendary coach Tommy Cole last year. Cole coached the Bulldogs for 28 years and led them to two state championships.

For the second time in two Central Conference games, the Orange women’s basketball team had a game that wasn’t decided until the final minute.

Once again, Evelyn George had the answers for an Orange victory.

George scored a career-high 31 points in Orange’s 45-42 victory over Western Alamance on Wednesday night. Orange improved to 2-0 in the Central Conference in beating the Warriors for the second straight time.

Western Alamance (5-6, 1-1 in the Central Conference) played most of the game without long-range threat Allie Sykes, who averages 15 points per game. Sykes, who averages 26.5 minutes per game, was limited to five minutes.

That didn’t stop the Warriors from reeling off eleven straight points to take a 17-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. Guards Emma Johnson and Bri Pullium each drained 3-pointers while reserve Kayra Benitez Dorantes knocked down another shot from downtown to end the first quarter.

The Panthers used a 2-3 zone to shutout the Warriors in the second quarter, but Orange could only muster eight points and trailed 17-14 at halftime.

George had a personal 12-0 run in the third quarter to put the Lady Panthers ahead for the first time. After scoring on a baseline drive to put in a five-footer, George put Orange ahead with a straightaway 3-pointer off a feed from Alexis Stephens. Then George drained another 3-pointer on Orange’s next possession.

The Warriors scored seven straight to take the lead in the fourth quarter. Xiomara Moser, who led the Warriors with 12 points, scored on a breakaway lay-in from Kiva Shavers. George scored Orange’s next three field goals to put Orange ahead 38-35. After Western’s Tina Bowers drained a running one-hander to cut the Panthers lead to 38-37, Panther guard Shannon Murphy does for a loose ball and threw a pass while laying on the floor to Marshea Byrd, who scored from point-blank range.

Byrd added another field goal following a steal by George with 2:09 remaining to increase Orange’s lead to 42-37. Sykes reported late into the game to insert some drama, hitting a 3-pointer with 29 seconds remaining. The Warriors had a chance to tie on its final possession, but a 3-pointer by Sykes rimmed out.

Orange will host Walter Williams in a battle for first place on Friday night at 6PM in Hillsborough.

Cedar Ridge 46, Person 43: Without Amiyah Ware in the lineup, the Cedar Ridge women’s basketball team got a huge game from freshman for its first conference win of the season.

Finnegan, in just her third varsity game, scored a career-high 16 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in a grinding win over the Rockets where the two teams combined for 45 fouls and 54 free throws.

Person jumped out to a 5-0 lead, but the Red Wolves responded with a 9-2 run to finish the quarter. Finnegan capped the frame with a 3-pointer to put the Red Wolves ahead 9-7.

Cedar Ridge stretched its advantage to 18-9 at halftime following a jumper by Cameron Copeland off a feed from Finnegan. The Red Wolves defense held the Rockets to one field goal in the second quarter and forced 12 turnovers.

Cedar Ridge freshman Sarah Ultey, who finished with ten points, eight assists and five steals, knocked down two free throws to increase the Red Wolves lead to 20-9 with 6:42 remaining in the third quarter. The Rockets chipped away at the advantage behind four straight points from forward Cassie Jay and a lay-in by Nayahana Marner, who scored in transition to cut the Red Wolf lead to 26-22. Cedar Ridge’s Jamee Watson ended the third quarter with a three-pointer to put the Red Wolves cushion at 36-26.

Marner hit two field goals to open the fourth quarter, followed by a jumper from Paige Jay to cut Person’s deficit to 36-32.

Late in the game, Person had two chances to tie the game, but Finnegan came up with a huge steal off a pass, which led to a free throw from Addie Reid with 55 seconds remaining to put the Red Wolves ahead 43-40.

Cedar Ridge will host Southern Alamance at Red Wolves Gymnasium at 7PM on Friday night.

In just its third home game of the season, the Orange women’s basketball team jumped out to a 15-0 lead and rolled past Western Alamance 81-42 on Wednesday night. Coleman Cloer had a season-high 30 points for the Panthers, who remained tied for first place in the Central Conference at 2-0. Freddy Sneed brought the house down with a dynamic dunk off a steal in the fourth quarter. Sneed, a junior who has been a member of the varsity since he was a freshman, finished with seven points and has been a valuable defensive presence this season. Forward Mason Robinson, a sophomore, captured an ally-top pass from Cloer for a monster slam in the third quarter. Robinson finished with six rebounds and five blocks as the Panthers started a four-game homestead. Orange rebounded from three losses in the John Wall Invitational last week, where they played at Broughton High School and William Peace University. The Panthers faced defending 3A Eastern Regional champion Northwood, Broughton and the Jordan Falcons. The Panthers will return home on Friday night to face Walter Williams. Orange is the only undefeated team in conference play in the Central Conference at 2-0 after beating Southern Alamance last month in Graham.

Orange men’s basketball’s Freddy Sneed & Mason Robinson discuss win over Western Alamance

In just its third home game of the season, the Orange women’s basketball team jumped out to a 15-0 lead and rolled past Western Alamance 81-42 on Wednesday night. Coleman Cloer had a season-high 30 points for the Panthers, who remained tied for first place in the Central Conference at 2-0.

The Orange women’s basketball team overcame an 11-point deficit to defeat Western Alamance 45-42 on Wednesday night at Orange High School. The Warriors led 17-6 at the end of the first quarter, but the Lady Panthers held Western Alamance without a point in the second quarter. Junior Evelyn George led Orange’s offense scoring a career-high 31 points on 13-of-20 shooting from the field. George had a personal 12-0 run in the third quarter to put Orange ahead 30-22. In the fourth quarter, George put the Lady Panthers ahead with a short jumper off a baseline drive with 5:46 remaining in regulation. Orange wouldn’t surrender the lead again thanks to two important fourth quarter field goals by junior center Marshea Byrd. With 3:21 remaining, Byrd took a pass off the floor from Shannon Murphy and scored off the glass to put the Lady Panthers ahead 40-37. Orange improved to 2-0 in a wide-open Central Conference. In the Lady Panthers’ Central Conference opener, George drained two free throws with :10.2 seconds remaining to beat Southern Alamance 34-31. Last week, Orange finished seventh in the Southeast Alamance Holiday Hoopla Tournament, beating Eastern Alamance on Saturday even though George didn’t play. The Lady Panthers will face Walter Williams in Hillsborough on Friday night at 6PM in a showdown for first place in the Central Conference.

Orange women’s basketball’s Evelyn George & Marshea Byrd discuss win over Western Alamance

The Orange women’s basketball team overcame an 11-point deficit to defeat Western Alamance 45-42 on Wednesday night at Orange High School. The Warriors led 17-6 at the end of the first quarter, but the Lady Panthers held Western Alamance without a point in the second quarter.

The Cedar Ridge men’s basketball team pulled off its biggest win in years on Tuesday night. The Red Wolves stunned Person 48-41, finishing the game on a 11-0 run in the final 2:37 for its second win of the season. Braedon Wilbourn led the Red Wolves with 19 points, a career-high. Senior center Harrison Perel scored off a lay-in from a pass by Hayden Kirk with 1:37 remaining to put the Red Wolves ahead 42-41. They never trailed again. Cedar Ridge built a ten-point lead early in the second quarter. Wilbourn scored ten points in the first half and freshman point guard Jordan Jacobson had eight points. The Red Wolves avenged a disappointing loss to Person last January, when they led by 19 points at the half but wound up losing 56-49. Cedar Ridge also bounced back from a tough loss to Western Alamance on Saturday in the 7th place game of the Southeast Alamance Holiday Hoopla Tournament. Cedar Ridge led by four points with two minutes remaining, but the Warriors closed out the game with a 7-0 run. On Monday, the Red Wolves upset a Person team that came into the game 9-1. Wilbourn has scored in double-figures in each of his last three games. The Red Wolves will travel to Southern Alamance on Friday night.

Cedar Ridge men’s basketball’s Braedon Wilbourn & Harrison Perel discuss upset of Person

The Cedar Ridge men’s basketball team pulled off its biggest win in years on Tuesday night. The Red Wolves stunned Person 48-41, finishing the game on a 11-0 run in the final 2:37 for its second win of the season. Braedon Wilbourn led the Red Wolves with 19 points, a career-high.

Without its star player Amiyah Ware, every game has been a battle for the Cedar Ridge women’s basketball team. On Tuesday night, the Red Wolves relied on its depth to defeat Person 46-43 at Red Wolves Gymnasium. In just her third varsity game, freshman Kate Finnegan led all scorers with 16 points and 18 rebounds as the Red Wolves improved to 5-5, 1-1 in the Central Conference. Sophomore guard Jamee Watson drained a key 3-pointer with 2:47 remaining to put Cedar Ridge ahead 41-34. After the Rockets cut its deficit to 43-41 with 55 seconds remaining, Finnegan scored on a lay-in off a pretty transition pass from Sarah Utley for the final field goal of the game with 24 seconds remaining. Utley finished with ten points, eight rebounds, eight assists and five steals. Cedar Ridge has already surpassed its win total from all of last season as they try to reach the state playoffs for the first time since the 2017-2018 season. The Red Wolves have its most wins in a year since the 2018-2019 season, when they won seven games. Ware, who broke the county record when she scored 54 points last year, was injured against Western Alamance on December 15. She watched from the bench last night and hopes to return soon. Cedar Ridge will host Southern Alamance in Hillsborough on Friday night.

Cedar Ridge women’s basketball’s Kate Finnegan & Jamee Watson discuss win over Person

Without its star player Amiyah Ware, every game has been a battle for the Cedar Ridge women’s basketball team. On Tuesday night, the Red Wolves relied on its depth to defeat Person 46-43 at Red Wolves Gymnasium.

On the second day of 2024, the Cedar Ridge men’s basketball team sprung the upset of the year.

Facing a 9-1 Person team that many felt will challenge for the Central Conference championship, a 1-10 Cedar Ridge team slowed Person’s transition game, grabbed key rebounds down the stretch and controlled the two minutes to shock the Rockets 48-41 on Tuesday night in Red Wolves Gymnasium.

Cedar Ridge’s Braedon Wilbourn led all scorers with 19 points while Landon Dalehite added 12 on a night where things that should be relevant were not.

Cedar Ridge’s losing a key guard who left the team over Christmas? Didn’t matter.

Person’s superior height and quickness advantage? Didn’t matter.

Person’s Lance Clark raining down 14 points in the second half? Nothing that couldn’t be solved with some well-timed defense.

What did matter was last January in Hillsborough. Cedar Ridge led the Rockets by 19 points at halftime. But Person rallied, held the Red Wolves to three points in the third quarter, nine free throw attempts the entire game and wound up winning 56-49.

Cedar Ridge coach Mike Jones generally has boundless optimism, but that game left a sour taste in his mouth. He can still quote the halftime score off the top of his head like its name of his daughter.

“I’ve wanted that one for a year,” Jones said. “I’ve been thinking about that game for a year. I’m so proud of the way my team just played. We punched them. We took a punch. We kept fighting. We ignored the crowd. We ignored the referees. We just focused and we played. I’m so proud of them.”

Cedar Ridge held the Rockets scoreless in the final 2:48, outscoring the Rockets 11-0 to end the game.

Clarke scored 14 points for Person, all in the second half. With 4:12 remaining in the fourth quarter, Person’s DaeJon Hodge collected an entry pass from Clarke and scored a lay-in to put the Rockets ahead 38-34, its largest advantage of the game. Dalehite responded with a clutch 3-pointer, which led to some clutch plays by the Red Wolves.

“That was probably the biggest jumper Landon has hit in his whole life,” Jones said. “That was a huge one.”

With 3:20 remaining, Wilbourn stole a pass from Hodge and scored on a lay-in to put the Red Wolves ahead 39-38.

Clarke immediately drained a 3-pointer off a skip pass from C.J. Hunt to put the Rockets in front 41-39. It was Person’s final field goal.

After Harrison Perel split two free throws with 2:38 remaining, Clarke appeared to have a steal for Person, but Cedar Ridge’s Hayden Kirk stole it right back and fed Perel for a lay-in to give the Red Wolves a 42-41 lead with 1:37 left.

In the final minute, Kirk grabbed a crucial offensive rebound off a Perel miss and fed Wilbourn for a lay-in. The Red Wolves got a crucial free throw from Dalehite with :14.1 remaining, then got another huge offensive board from Kirk to secure a stunning upset.

“The last three or four games, Harrison, Hayden and Luke Orstad have rebounded the basketball so well,” Jones said. “It’s just made a world of difference for us.”

Leading by seven at the break, the Red Wolves built a ten-point advantage early in the second half. It appeared that Clarke would shoot the Rockets troubles away when he drained three 3-pointers in the third quarter. Person started another rally whenHodge sank a baseline jumper, then Person’s Jordan Lunsford stole the inbounds pass, leading to Hodge scoring again while getting fouled by Perel to cut the Red Wolf lead to 28-24.

Cedar Ridge grabbed a win days after a heartbreaking loss to Western Alamance in the seventh-place game of the Southeast Alamance Holiday Hoopla. On Saturday, the Red Wolves led 34-30 with 3:12 remaining. The Warriors scored the final seven points, capped by a three-pointer from James Newton at the buzzer.

But that was so 2023. It’s now 2024 and late Monday night, Jones was the happiest man in Hillsborough.

“I’ve been blessed to say I’ve been the coach here for a year-and-a-half,” Jones said. “This is the biggest win we’ve had since I’ve been here.”