Two prominent members of the Orange lacrosse team signed were part of a massive signing day last month. Long stick midfielder Alden Cathey signed with Division III Arcadia University in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Midfielder Josh Crabtree signed with Division III Methodist University in Fayetteville. Cathey has been a prominent part of three conference championships for Orange since he joined the lacrosse team as a freshman, which was the pandemic year of 2020. Orange won the Conference 9 Championship and reached the state quarterfinals in the 3A/2A/1A State Playoffs. Last season, Cathey was third on the team with 78 ground balls as the Panthers went undefeated in Mid-Carolina Conference play. For the second year in a row, the Panthers hosted the 3A/2A/1A Eastern Regional championship game. Cathey has also qualified for the 3A State Cross Country championship meet in men’s cross country twice and has won two Mideast Regional championships with the Panthers. Crabtree scored the first goal of the regional championship game against Northwood last season. In 2023, Crabtree scored 20 goals and 32 points. Crabtree scored five goals in the state playoffs. On March 14, Crabtree had a hat trick in a 15-0 win over Cedar Ridge. On March 17, he had another hat trick against Seaforth as the Panthers prevailed 18-5. Crabtree has been a member of the varsity team for three years. As a sophomore, Crabtree registered 18 goals. That included another hat trick against Cedar Ridge on march 15, 2022, which Orange won 11-9. Cathey and Crabtree will be in uniform again next month when Orange starts its season against Apex on February 26 at Auman Stadium in Hillsborough.