In possibly the biggest game of his career, Orange center Jalen Crayton came away with a monster night on the Panthers’ senior night on Friday. Crayton finished with 22 points and a career-high 20 rebounds as the Panthers defeated Durham School of the Arts 77-53. Crayton also had eight blocked shots, missing a triple-double by two blocks. It was Crayton’s 12th double-double of the season. Crayton took control of the game in the second half, when he scored 14 points. Crayton has had to adjust to a new role this season as the Panthers’ main target inside. He has excelled as the season has continued. In the Panthers last game against Cedar Ridge, Crayton had 15 points and 19 rebounds in a 45-36 Panther victory. Crayton has finished with double-digit scoring in six straight games as the Panthers continue to hunt the Big 7 Conference championship. In his first game against DSA, Crayton finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds as the Panthers won 69-31. Orange returned to the court after two weeks off due to the barrage of winter weather on Friday night. The victory over the Bulldogs was the start of six games in a span of seven days. The Panthers will have a short turnaround and will face Carrboro on Saturday afternoon at 2 in Hillsborough.
