There have been two disturbing patterns so far this season for Hillsborough’s basketball teams.
For Cedar Ridge, it’s been an inability to push out to big leads when they have an opponent on the ropes.
For Orange, it’s been faltering down the stretch.
Both teams fell victim to those patterns again on Tuesday night.
For Cedar Ridge, it may cost them a chance to make the state playoffs. Chapel Hill defeated the Red Wolves 75-67 in Hillsborough, sending the Red Wolves to 0-4 in the Big 8. Peyton Pappas led Cedar Ridge with 30 points. Forward Jacob Thomas, who transferred from Chapel Hill, added 20 points.
CHHS has a guard-oriented lineup, but still found a way to get to the foul line 27 times. Elijah Haynes scored 19 points to lead the Tigers, who improved to 5-7, 3-0 in the Big 8. Freshmen Ben Gaynes and A.J. Thompson added 16.
Cedar Ridge is now 7-7 with a home game coming up Friday against Northwood.
Southern Durham, now 4-0 in the Big 8, defeated Orange 85-77.
The Panthers led 57-55 going into the fourth quarter, but Southern out scored Orange 30-20 in the final frame.
Connor Crabtree led the Panthers with 28 points and seven rebounds. Coaches from High Point and Appalachian State were in the gym to watch Crabtree, who received a scholarship offer from Lehigh last month.
The Panthers ( turn right back around to face Northwood on Thursday night, then travel to Chapel Hill on Friday. Orange is now 5-7, 2-1 in the Big 8.