For the firs time since 2007, the Orange men’s basketball team defeated South Granville. Center Jalen Crayton scored 18 points and grabbed ten rebounds as the Panthers defeated the Vikings 67-48 on Friday night. It was Orange’s first home game since the Christmas break. Junior Hector Garrido paced the Panthers with 22 points as Orange shot 49% from the field to improve to 3-0 in the Big 7 Conference. It was Orange’s defense that made the difference. South Granville freshman Brayden Greenup entered the game averaging 27.3 points per game. Orange held Greenup to a season-low 12 points, including no field goals in the opening three quarters. Crayton missed his second triple-double by two blocked shots. He registered 18 points, ten rebounds, eight blocks and five steals. Senior J.T. Gray came away with 14 points, including a 3-pointer late in the first quarter to put the Panthers ahead for good. Gray is in his first season as a starter and has provided reliable outside shooting for a team that has just one returning starter. Sophomore Carson James came off the bench to score seven points. The Panthers face a crucial road test against J.F. Webb in Oxford on Friday night. It will be the Panthers first road trip to Oxford since 2017.
