Over the past few years, the state playoffs have been dominated by local volleyball teams.
It certainly appears that Cedar Ridge and Orange will take the two automatic state playoffs spots in the Central Carolina Conference this year. Exactly who will finish first will likely be determined on October 12 when Orange travels to Cedar Ridge to complete the regular season series.
But there’s a chance that Hillsborough will have a team in the 3A State Soccer Playoffs for the first time in five years.
The Orange men’s soccer team is currently ranked #25 in the 3A East Region. The Panthers had a five-game winning streak spanning September 14-26. Though Orange stubbed its toe in a 4-0 loss at Eastern Alamance last week, the Panthers still likely control its own fate. However, it won’t be easy this week. On Monday, the Panthers travel to defending 3A State Champion Western Alamance. Then on Wednesday, the Panthers will host Walter Williams, currently the #1 ranked team in the 3A East Region.
Orange’s last trip to the 3A State Playoffs came in 2017. Jamar Davis, who will surely go down as one of the most versatile athletes in Orange High history, led the Panthers in scoring that season. In a wild scoreline, Orange defeated White Oak 6-2 in double overtime to advance to the second round. It was Orange’s first win in the state playoffs in eight years. Davis had a hat trick as the Panthers scored four goals in 25 minutes.
The Orange women’s soccer team has put itself in a position to win a conference championship, which would most likely be a first in school history. Last week, the Lady Panthers surprised Walter Williams 5-4 at Panther Tennis Courts. It was the Bulldogs first loss of the season. Shannon and Erin Sollars won the deciding doubles match, beating Abigail Brown and Jaden Wilson 9-7.
The Lady Panthers defeated cross town rival Cedar Ridge 6-3 on Wednesday. Orange will host Person on Monday. Orange looks likely to reach the 3A State Dual Team playoffs for the second straight year.
Without any further delay, here’s the Magnificent 7 for the week of September 11-17.
- Cameron Lloyd, Sr. Cedar Ridge–Lloyd played three matches over three days for the Red Wolves volleyball team. She had a season-high 20 kills in a 3-0 win over Southern Alamance on September 14. Lloyd had six kills, two aces, a block, and eight digs against an improved Western Alamance squad in Elon on September 13.
- Makayla Davis, Jr. Orange–Davis won five matches as the Orange women’s tennis team captured wins over Northwood, Riverside and Roxboro Community School. Davis won her singles match against Northwood 6-2, 6-0 and teamed with Sydney Rogers to win at #2 doubles 8-6. Two days later, Davis won a singles match over Riverside 8-1, then teamed with Rogers again to win at #2 doubles 8-5.
- Cameron Mayhew, Jr. Cedar Ridge–Once again, Mayhew worked by the hour in defeating Walter Williams 4-6, 6-3, 12-10 on September 14. The following day, the Red Wolves’ women’s tennis team defeated Western Alamance 8-1 in Elon. Mayhew finished with a 6-0, 6-0 singles win. Later, she teamed with sophomore Adeline Cummings to win at #1 doubles 8-2.
- Enzo Bruhns, Jr. Orange–Scored game-winning goal for the Orange men’s soccer team in a 3-1 win over Cedar Ridge to win the opening leg of the Hillsborough Derby on September 14. It was Orange’s first win over Cedar Ridge since October 2018.
- Naomi Dyreng, Soph. Cedar Ridge–Dyreng had her first career first place finish for the Cedar Ridge women’s cross country team in a tri-meet against Northwood, Western Alamance and Walter Williams. Dyreng crossed the finish line at 22:50.61 as the Red Wolves women’s team finished 1st with 25 points.
- Katie Silcott, Fres. Orange–Led Orange in assists and aces as the Lady Panthers rolled to a victory over Northwood on September 13. Silcott has alternated between setter and outside hitter for the Lady Panthers in recent weeks. Orange is currently one game behind Cedar Ridge for 1st place in the Central Carolina Conference.
- Shannon Murphy, Orange–Murphy shot the lowest round for the Orange women’s golf team this season during a meet at the Valley in Burlington on September 6. Murphy shot a 51 to lead the Orange women’s golf team.