Going back to last academic year, this week’s Orange Panther of the Week is Thomas Loch. Through four years at Orange, Thomas was a two-sport athlete with the Panthers. And, during his final days at Orange, he became a head coach. At Orange, he qualified for the Mideast Golf Regionals three times. Loch’s father was the head coach of the Orange men’s and women’s golf teams. Thomas grew up playing golf and continued to lead the Orange men’s golf team during his four years. Thomas was also a three-year member of the Orange men’s basketball team. He scored the final three-pointer for the Panthers during its thrilling playoff game against West Carteret in Morehead City in February. Loch was always a reliable member of a senior class who played regularly down the stretch. In May, Loch became the head coach of the Orange County Hockey Club, a squad comprised of Orange, Cedar Ridge and Eno River Academy players, along with a few others from Wake County. Thomas was also a part of Hillsboroughsports.com, doing play-by-play for softball and baseball. Earlier this month, Loch moved into his dorm at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he will start his freshman year. Last winter, Thomas was a senior on the most successful Orange men’s basketball team since the 2016-2017 season. Hopefully, Thomas will not be a stranger to his friends in Hillsborough, where he constantly played at Occoneechee Golf Course. We wish Thomas all the best in Chapel Hill.