The Orange girls’ basketball went into the opening game of the Eastern Alamance Holiday Tournament on a four-game losing streak, and it appeared only a Christmas miracle would keep it from becoming five games.
Against Burlington Williams, coached by former Cedar Ridge boys’ basketball Coach Jim Pappas, the Panthers were held to one point in the first quarter. They trailed 23-8 at the half.
Yet the Panthers found the outside shooting they needed from sophomore Lauren Cates to find a way to advance.
Cates scored twelve points and Janea Myers held a layup in the final minute to put Orange ahead as the Panthers defeated the Bulldogs 37-35 at Eastern Alamance Gymnasium. The Panthers (4-6), who claimed the championship last year in the midst of a 21-game winning streak to start the season, advance to the semifinals to face Eastern Alamance on Friday night at 6.
Grace Dively hit two free throws in the waning minutes for Orange, who won for the first time since December 12. Cates came up huge in the fourth quarter, scoring eleven points after being held without a field goal in the first three quarters.
The game also marked the return of guard Icez Barnett, who had not played since injuring her right foot against Hillside on December 15. She finished with eight points.
Mekayia White led Williams (3-4) with 20 points. The Bulldogs were held to three points in the third quarter and four field goals in the second half.
ORANGE 37, WILLIAMS 35
ORANGE: Grace Dively 6, Lauren Cates 12, Janea Myers 8, Ices Barnett 9, Jala Rainey 2.
WILLIAMS: Makayla Crawley 7, Mekayla White 20, Kimberly Jara 6, Jada Lightsey 2.