Jeff Hamlin

Orange Panther of the Week: Marvante Beasley

In a punishing victory over Southern Durham, the Orange senior rushed for 156 yards and a touchdown, made an interception, and recovered a fumble to end the game as the Panthers defeated the Spartans 16-15. Beasley had 168 all-purpose yards, plus made four tackles. Recently, Marvante received his first scholarship offer from Lenoir-Rhyne. Away from the football field, Marvante can be seen at many other Orange events as he’s one of the ardent supporters of the Panthers on the hardwood, the baseball and softball diamond.

Orange Panther of the Week: Marvante Beasley

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Orange Kicker Francisco McKinley Discusses Game-Winning Field Goal vs. Southern

On a wild night in Spartan Stadium, Orange kicker Francisco McKinley kicked the game-winning, 26-yard field goal with 1:09 remaining as Orange defeated Southern Durham 16-15 on Friday night. Just minutes before the field goal, McKinley was banged up after Southern blocked a punt and was less than 100% when attempting the field goal. But the junior made it to defeat the Spartans for the 2nd straight time at Southern.

Orange Kicker Francisco McKinley Discusses Game Winning Field Goal vs. Southern Durham

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Wirzba Scores Twice as Orange Soccer Wins 6th Straight, 4-2 Over Northern

The crows have come home to roost for Orange soccer.

Last year, Orange lost eleven games. Eight were by two goals or less.

A year later, the Panthers are in the midst of a 6-game winning streak, the longest since 2010. The last four wins have been by, you guessed it, two goals or less.

On Wednesday night, Orange roared out to a 4-0 lead over Northern Durham at James Armstrong Stadium off two goals from senior Luke Wirzba. Northern settled for two late goals, but the Panthers walked away with a 4-2 result to remain tied for first in the Big 8 Conference.

R.J. Pherribo and Rohan Kasthuri also scored for the Panthers. Senior Jamar Davis assisted on three of the goals, while Wirzba assisted on the other.

The win over Northern caps a dramatic series of games for the Panthers, one that started last week when Pherribo scored with three seconds remaining in regulation to defeat Chapel Hill 1-0. On Monday night, Wirzba scored in the 2nd overtime as Orange surged past Southern Durham 1-0.

Life in the new Big 8 Conference means beating one powerhouse and getting ready for another. Orange will host East Chapel Hill on Monday night in Hillsborough. The Wildcats handed Orange its only Big 8 loss thus far, a 2-1 result on September 7.

Orange’s 12 Soccer Seniors (Well, some of them) Talk 4-2 Win Over Northern Durham

Orange scored four goals in the first half at James Armstrong Stadium in Durham on Wednesday night as the Panthers earned its sixth straight win by beating Northern Durham 4-2. After the game, seniors Justin Hutchins, Cameron Krogstad, Omar Landeros, Ewan McCallum, Luke Wirzba, Bryan Torres, Thomas Sikes, Jamar Davis, Malcolm Phillips, Noah Miller, Isaiah Dupre and Jesus Chavez lined up to talk about the win.

Orange’s 12 Boys Soccer Seniors (well, some of them) Discuss Win over Northern Durham

Orange scored four goals in the first half at James Armstrong Stadium in Durham on Wednesday night as the Panthers earned its sixth straight win by beating Northern Durham 4-2. After the game, seniors Justin Hutchins, Cameron Krogstad, Omar Landeros, Ewan McCallum, Luke Wirzba, Bryan Torres, Thomas Sikes, Jamar Davis, Malcolm Phillips, Noah Miller, Isaiah Dupre and Jesus Chavez lined up to talk about the win.

Southern Durham Edges CRHS Soccer 3-2; Garcia Scores 2 Goals in Win vs. Hillside

The Cedar Ridge boys soccer team entered the week aiming for a sweep against Hillside and Southern Durham.

Instead, they had to settle for a split.

The Spartans edged the Red Wolves 3-2 on Wednesday night at Spartans Stadium. Centerback Gavin Hughes scored the opener for the Red Wolves off a corner kick from sophomore Brandon Garcia. With the match even at the half, junior Frank Orellana evened the match on a feed from Samuel Wallace. The Spartans notched the game-winner with under 10:00 remaining.

On Monday night, the Red Wolves earned its third win of the season with a 5-0 win over Hillside at Russell Blount Stadium. Sophomore Brandon Garcia scored two goals, including the game-winner in the first half. Senior wingback Henry Mellor, junior midfielder Cameron Koehler and senior Jake Brown also scored goals for Cedar Ridge.

The Red Wolves are now 3-10, 2-5 in the Big 8. They host Northwood on Monday night at Red Wolves Stadium.

 

Lucas Makes 12 Kills as Orange VB Wins at Cedar Ridge for 1st Time Since 2012 3-0

It had been five years since Orange volleyball won at Cedar Ridge High School, but the Panthers used leadership from five seniors to end that skid.

Bailey Lucas had twelve kills while sophomore Emma Clements added eleven as Orange swept the Red Wolves 3-0 on scores of 25-21, 25-17 and 25-18 on Tuesday night.

Cedar Ridge had a strong match from junior Sarah McCuiston, who finished with eight kills and two aces.

Orange improves to 11-6 overall, 5-5 in the Big 8. Cedar Ridge falls to 6-9, 2-8 in the Big 8.

Panther senior Elly Wilson added three aces and 14 digs. Senior Faith Foushee added 15 digs. Foushee’s classmate Caroline Compton served up 14 assists, while Lucas added 16.

It’s the first time Orange has swept the Red Wolves since 2012.

In the final two sets, the Panthers broke the match open with lengthy runs. Cedar Ridge led the 2nd set 8-7 after a kill by junior co-captain Macy Henry off an assist from senior Morgan Sellers. With Foushee serving, Orange scored six straight points, a run that included kills by  Lucas and Clements.

Cedar Ridge reduced its deficit to 16-14 after an ace by McCuiston. But Orange scored the next five points, including an ace by Wilson and kills by Liz LaNier, Lucas and Clements. Kaitlyn Werden’s spike earned Orange the 2nd set.

The Panthers jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the third set. Orange reeled off seven consecutive points to lengthen its lead to 15-6, a spree that included three consecutive kills from Lucas.