Orange High School

After a grueling week where they played three games in four days, the odds appeared steep for the Orange men’s basketball team on Friday night. They suited up only nine players against Chapel Hill and were missing starters Mekai Collins and Zyon Pettiford. But the Panthers overcame illness, fatigue and a powerful Chapel Hill front line to beat the Tigers 66-65 in double overtime at Tiger Gymnasium. Joey Mcmullin had to contend with 6-10 Chapel Hill center David Eileen for much of the game, but still had 18 points. Orange won at Chapel Hill for the first time since 2016. Even Orange’s 2017 Big 8 Championship team, led by Connor Crabtree and Logan Vosburg, lost to the Tigers in Chapel Hill. It was particularly sweet for Mcmullin since it was his birthday in a game that, to him, is still very much a rivalry.

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is senior wrestler Levi Anderson. This season, Anderson has won four individual tournament championships. Last week, he won both matches in the dual match playoffs as Orange defeated Eden Morehead in the 1st round, but lost to Cape Fear in the 2nd round. On Friday, Levi will start action in the 3A Mideast Regionals at Southeast Guilford High School. Last season, Anderson advanced to the 3A state tournament after finishing 3rd in the regionals.

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This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is senior wrestler Avery Jenkins. On Saturday, Jenkins advanced to the championship match of the Riverside Invitational after pinning David Hocutt of Corinth Holders in 1:10. Wiggins helped Orange win the Riverside Invitational with 175 points. It is Orange’s 2nd team win in an individual tournament this season. Jenkins is 33-7 this season. He has won individual championships at the Quentin Crosby Invitational in Greensboro and the Eastern Alamance Invitational in Mebane this season. Jenkins will return to action against Hillside on Tuesday at Chapel Hill High School. On Wednesday, Jenkins will be one of the honorees during senior night when the Panthers host Northern Durham in an attempt to complete another undefeated conference season.