Orange High School

The King of Kings Invitational wasn’t just Orange’s fourth tournament team championship this season. It also gave a possibly preview of what several Panthers could face in the individual state championships next month.

Last Saturday, Orange captured the King of Kings Championship with 209.5 point at Olympic High School in Charlotte. Northwestern High, out of Rock Hill (SC), finished 2nd with 139.5. Dixon High came in 3rd with 124.5.

Braden Homsey earned his fifth championship of the season at 195 pounds in dominant fashion. In three matches, Homsey earned a pin and two technical falls, including the championship match against Zatay Lindsey of Southern Durham 17-1. In the quarterfinals, Homsey pinned Joshua Vickers of Rutherfordton-Spindale Central in 1:55. Homsey punched his ticket to the semifinals with a 19-4 technical fall over Malcolm Grandison of Hopewell. Homsey is now 26-0 on the season.

After a runner-up finish at Eastern Alamance and third-place finishes in the Jim King Invitational and the Tiger Invitational, senior Gavin Wiggins earned his first championship of the season at the King of Kings. Taking the championship at 126, Wiggins squeezed out a 10-8 decision over Ethan Workman of Charlotte Latin School. Wiggins defeated Preston Scarborough of Central Academy of Technology and Arts 6-5 in the semifinals. Wiggins improved to 24-4.

The tournament also marked the first loss of the season for senior Josiah Ramirez, who fell in the championship match to John Carmella of Marvin Ridge 5-2. Ramirez scored two pins leading to the championship match, putting away Austin Brown of Central Cabarrus in 1:07 and Chase Hamlin of Northwestern in 2:00. Carmella and Ramirez are the two top-ranked wrestlers at 182 in the state, according to Kombatready.com. It was Ramirez’s first loss after 27 consecutive wins to start the season.

At 120, Justin Hutchins finished 2nd, his best performance yet in a tournament. Hutchins was pinned by Corey Smith of Dixon in the championship match. Hutchins earned his way to the title match by defeating Dylan Kelly of Marvin Ridge 7-5 in the semifinals. Hutchins pinned Aman Ellis of Olympic in 1:15.

Senior Bailey Hawkins finished runner-up at 132. Hawkins pinned Hunter Padgett of Dixon in :55 in the quarterfinals, then defeated Jordan McKinney of Northwest Cabarrus 6-2. Ethan Workman of Central Cabarrus claimed a 13-4 major decision over Hawkins in the finals. Hawkins is currently ranked 5th in 3A at 132 with a 26-4 record by Kombatready.com.

Daylan Alston claimed 2nd at heavyweight, boosting his record to 28-4. Alston pinned Michelle Elguero of Central Cabarrus in :11, then pinned DeAnthony Barnhardt of Northwest Cabarrus in 4:39. Thomas Hudson of Dixon pinned Alston in 5:10 for the championship.

Levi Anderson also finished 2nd at 138. He was narrowly defeated in the championship match by Nathan Buchanan of Central Cabarrus 2-1. Anderson had the longest road of any Panther to reach the finals. In the opening round, he pinned Southern Durham’s Demetrius Moore in :21, followed by another pinfall victory over Marvin Ridge’s Dheeraj Pannem in 1:10. In the semifinals, Anderson earned a major decision over Shemar Washington of Northwestern 13-4.

Mitchell Askew (113), Luke Riley (145) and Trey Jones (170) finished third in their respective weight classes.

Now, Orange enters the final week of the regular season looking to close out another Big 8 Conference Championship. After being inactive last week because of 11 inches of snow in Hillsborough, the Panthers senior night meet against Southern Durham was postponed. On Wednesday, Orange travels to Northern Durham for its first conference match against the Knights since 2001. Orange Wrestling Coach Spencer Poteat is trying to arrange the Southern Durham match to be contested at Carmichael Arena at UNC on Friday, but that won’t be finalized until Monday at the earliest. Orange is 16-0 overall, 5-0 in the Big 8.

Cedar Ridge boys basketball coach Clay Jones joked last week that, if his team defeated Hillside, he would have to beg his players to practice again for the rest of the season.

Perhaps he wasn’t joking. The Red Wolves, who have practiced one time since December 21st, came into the Hillside game on a two-game winning streak, its longest of the year. Then they nearly knocked off the Hornets, falling 60-59. Khalil Barnett led the Red Wolves with 19 points, while Mekai Collins added 15..

Damon Sanders paced Hillside with 20.

Trying to find a rhythm has been a struggle for both of Hillsborough’s basketball teams since the holidays.

For Orange, the Panthers started 2018 with a loss to Pinecrest on January 2nd, then didn’t play for a week because of winter weather. A game against Northwood was rescheduled for this past Saturday, forcing Orange to play three games in four days last week. Chapel Hill defeated the Panthers 59-55 at Tiger Gymnasium, despite the fact that Chapel Hill guard Elijah Haynes missed the game because of an ankle injury suffered during the South Granville Holiday Tournament. Mitch Portman led Orange with 17 points. The Tigers, who started the game on a 10-3 run, fended off a late Orange run with clutch free throws from Max Connelly, who finished with 16 points. A.J. Thompson added 15.

Chapel Hill defeated East Chapel Hill 59-45 on Tuesday night to remain atop the Big 8 at 8-0. Connolly paced CHHS with 18 points. Once again, Haynes didn’t play.

On Friday, Southern Durham handed Orange its fourth straight loss, 77-56. The Spartans, who led by 38 at one point, received 18 points from Jayvis Harvey. Orange was held to six points in the second quarter, was led by 18 points from sophomore Machai Holt, a career-high.

It was Orange’s first four-game losing streak since the 2012-13 season, a streak that ended on Saturday with a 43-37 victory over Northwood.

Orange is now 7-9, 3-3 in the Big 8. In the new look Big 8 Conference, the panthers are 4th in the league behind three teams that could be dangerous in the state tournament. Chapel Hill is undefeated, while Southern Durham is 4-1 and Northern Durham is 3-1.

With another winter storm anticipated Wednesday, the Panthers’ game scheduled at Northern Durham has already been postponed. Orange is slated to play at East Chapel Hill on Friday.

Cedar Ridge is supposed to host Northwood on Friday, but that game is at risk with the pending snowstorm. The Red Wolves already have had to postpone a game against Northern Durham from the first week fo 2018 that still hasn’t been rescheduled.

Whenever the Red Wolves resume its season, its clear for the most consistent offensive performers have been. On top of his 15 points against Hillside, Collins scored 20 in a 66-61 victory over Warren County, preceded by 17 points in the Red Wolves win over East Chapel Hill, which ended a nine-game losing streak.

Two matches in two nights couldn’t stop Orange Wrestling perfect record.

The Panthers defeated Chapel Hill 60-15 on Thursday night at Orange High, meaning Orange is two wins away from winning its 16th consecutive conference championship. The Panthers, now 16-0, face Southern Durham next Wednesday in Hillsborough before taking on Northern Durham on January 24.

Orange registered seven pins to defeat the Tigers. Avery Jenkins victory at 160 over Jack Davenport in 2:56 put the match out of reach. The Panthers won the match in the heavier weight classes, reeling off four straight pins. After Jenkins’ victory, Trey Jones pinned Bryan Ramirez in 3:38. At 182, Josiah Ramirez remained undefeated by pinning Milan Aghaiepour in :48. Braden Homsey mainined his unblemished mark with a :39 pin of Daniel Gonzales. Heavyweight Daylan Alston received a forfeit win to start the night.

At 145, Luke Riley pinned Bryan Lopez in 2:46. Kessel Summers edged Ta’Vonne page 13-7 at 106. Mitchell Askew pinned David Cureton in 4:34.

The most competitive match of the night came at 120, where Zin Maung edged Justin Hutchins 6-4 in overtime.

Bailey Hawkins, who has won two individual championships this year, pinned Erick Islas-Hernandez in 2:51. Gavin Wiggins wrapped up a technical fall, 15-0, at 132.

With another conference championship possibly on the horizon, Orange will venture to Charlotte this Saturday for the King of Kings Tournament at Olympic High School.

If the Orange Wrestling team wins its 16th consecutive conference championship, it will come under unique circumstances.

Since joining the Big 8 Conference, the Panthers’ two toughest competitors have been Northwood and Chapel Hill. Orange was supposed to face the Chargers last week, but the winter weather forced a delay to Tuesday night—-24 hours before the Chapel Hill match.

Orange climbed the first hurdle with relative ease on Tuesday night, beating Northwood 58-18 in Pittsboro after racking up six pinfalls and two technical falls. Trey Jones ensured another Orange win by pinning Northwood’s William Lane in :35, the second of four consecutive Panther pins that sewed up victory.

Kissel Summers opened the night with a major decision at 106 over Carson Richard 11-0. At 113, Mitchell Askew scored the first technical fall over Adam Wasmuth 16-0. That was followed by another major decision, where Justin Hutchins defeated Jamison Davis 9-1 at 120. Gavin Wiggins scored the first pin of the night at 126, putting Anthony Brinitzor’s shoulders to the mat in 1:22.

Senior Bailey Hawkins earned a technical fall over Grant Ray 15-0. At 145, Levi Anderson got a win with a major decision over Carter Stallings 13-1.

After Northwood’s Hunter Guinean and Jony Mazurek scored pins to narrow Orange’s lead to 28-12, Orange scored four consecutive pins to put the hay in the barn. Avery Jenkins pinned Montgomery Allgood in :57. After Jones’ victory, Josiah Ramirez ran his undefeated record to 29-0 with a pin of Hsemay Day in 1:03. Braden Homsey also remained undefeated by pinning Hunter Kingel in 1:58.

At heavyweight, Daylan Alston scored another pinfall victory, defeating Ben McGaughnea in 2:42.

Orange is now 15-0 and will host Chapel Hill tonight at 6.

As the Orange Wrestling team enters 2018, once again they appear to be the team to beat for the 3A Eastern Regional Team Championship, and possibly the entire state.

In its final meet of 2017, Orange swept all five matches in the West Stanly Open in Oaksboro on Saturday morning. A day that started with a 5:20AM bus ride ended with Orange remaining undefeated at 14-0 after five victories on Saturday.

Bailey Hawkins was named the Most Valuable Wrestler of the tournament following five victories, three by pinfall. In his final match of the day, Hawkins pulled out a 10-9 overtime victory over Mount Pleasant’s Dalton Milner.

Hawkins, who is now 26-4 on the season, started the day by pinning Central Davidson’s Brandon Goodnough in 1:57. In the following match against West Stanly, Hawkins pinned Kyle Black in 1:05. Following a forfeit win over Albermarle, Hawkins opened the match against Parkwood by pinning James Oliviero in 2:20.

Hawkins has ten pinfall victories this season.

The most competive deal match of the day came in the finale when the Panthers defeated Mount Pleasant 53-23. The Tigers took the opening five points with a technical fall at 138, but Orange assumed command after pins by Levi Anderson at 145 in 1:01 and Mario Manduiano in 1:34. Avery Penkins, coming off a 2nd place finish at the Tiger Holiday Classic, scored a technical falll 15-0 over Garrett McManus. Trey Jones pinned Pleasant’s Garrett Overbay at 4:56, while Josiah Ramirez remained undefeated on the season by pinning Nate Isenhour in 4:43. Braden Homsey, coming off a championship at the Tiger at 195, pinned Eli Gibson in :34.

At heavyweight, Daylan Alston edged Dustin Barnhardt 3-2 for his 101st career victory. Mitchell Askew pinned Travis Barley in 1:09 at 113.

Orange also defeated Central Davidson 59-18, West Stanly 64-6, Albermarle 71-6 and Parkwood 72-6.

Alston also earned five victories for the Panthers on Saturday. He pinned Central Davidson’s Anthony Chavis in just eight seconds, the fastest victory of Alston’s career. Alston also decisioned West Stalney’s Jessie Furr 7-2; pinned Albermarle’s Daylan Turner in :41 and pinned Parkwood’s Vareun Isaacs in :31.

Coming off his Tiger Holiday Individual Championship at 182 pounds, Josiah Ramirez remained undefeated on the season with four wins to improve to 28-0. Ramirez pinned Albermarle’s Montavius Hall in :33 and received forfeits against West Stanly and Parkwood.

At 195, Braden Homsey maintained his undefeated record with two victories to push his overall mark to 26-0. In addition to his pin of Hall, Homsey scored a forfeit win against West Stanly.

Gavin Wiggins had five victories on the day at 126. In addition to three forfeits, Wiggins defeated Central Davidson’s Drake Cullens by major decision 18-3. In his next match, Wiggins pinned West Stanly’s Korbin McNeill.

Mitchell Askew went 4-1 on the day at 113, as did Manduiano at 152 to improve to 22-13.

Orange returns to conference action on Wednesday at Northwood, who nearly defeated the Panthers in 2015. Action starts at 6 in Pittsboro.

12 months later, Eastern Guilford caught up with Orange.

After losing to the Panthers in the 2016 Eastern Guilford Christmas Holiday Tournament Championship game, the Wildcats led wire-to-wire to defeat the Panthers 69-50 to win the 2017 championship on Saturday night in Gibsonville. Jaylen Alston was named tournament MVP for the Wildcats (14-1).

Though Orange never led in the game, the Panthers (scored more points against the Wildcats than any other team in the tournament. Eastern Guilford blew out Graham 72-38 in the semifinals and romped past Western Guilford 77-29 on Thursday.

Orange was led by Mekai Holt with 18 points, while Mitch Portman finished with ten. Joey McMullin came away with five points.

Pascal, Portman and McMullin were named to the All-Tournament team.

In 2016, Orange (7-5) defeated the Wildcats 74-60 after trailing 17-2 to open the game, but this year there was no Connnor Crabtree or Logan Vosburg to carry the offensive load for the Panthers. Crabtree scored 27 in last year’s championship game, while Vosburg added 24 to hand Eastern Guilford one of its four losses for the entire season.

Meanwhile in Mebane, the Orange Women’s Basketball Team wrapped up third place in the Eastern Alamance Holiday Hoops Invitational, beating Big 8 Conference rival Northern Durham 48-44 on Saturday afternoon. Lauren Cates found her shooting touch to torch the Knights for 27 points, including five 3-pointers.

Northern (2-9), who suited up seven players, was led by sophomore Breanna Jenkins’ 19 points. Freshman Jakayla Carr added ten.

As the game grew tighther in the fourth quarter, sophomore Grace Andrews hit three key field goals for the Lady Panthers (5-7). Orange played without Icez Barnett, who returned to action on Thursday against Burlington Williams after missing four games with a right foot injury. Barnett rested to prepare for Friday’s return to Big 8 Conference action against Northwood in Hillsborough.

Cates was named to the All-Tournament team. Leesville Road defeated Eastern Alamance for the tournament championship 67-47.

The Orange Men’s team returns to action on Tuesday to face Pinecrest at 7:30 in Hillsborough. The Orange Women return to action on Friday with a home game against Northwood in Hillsborough at 5:30, followed by the men’s game at 7.

EASTERN GUILFORD 69, ORANGE 50:

ORANGE: Portman 10, Paschal 4, Joey McMullin 5, Holt 18, Eli Haithcock 9, Jason Franklin 3, Nigel Slanker 1.

EASTERN GUILFORD: Jaylen Alston 29, Montez Venable 14, Dominque Graves 10, Nic Cheeley 7, Nick McMullen 7, Nathan White 2.

ORANGE (GIRLS) 48, NORTHERN DURHAM 44.

NORTHERN DURHAM:  Breanna Jenkins 21, Asia Rahman 5, Amanda Holland 6, Jakala Carr 10, Nia Bonney 2.

ORANGE: Grave Dively 2, Kate Burgess 4, Janea Myers 4, Lauren Cates 23, Grace Andrews 6, Jala Rainey 2, Xandria Moore 3.

Recently, a big night from Mitch Portman has been a requirement for Orange to stay competitive in tight games.

Not so on Friday.

Portman had 21 points against Southern Peninsula in the quarterfinals, 22 against South Granville last Friday and 22 against Cedar Ridge, was held to a season-low three points against Northeast Guilford.

However, Joey McMullin and Morgan Paschall were there to fill the void.

Mullin scored 16 while Paschall had a season-high twelve as the Panthers defeated the Northeast Guilford Rams 57-48 in the semifnals of the Eastern Guilford Christmas Holiday Tourmanent in Gibsonville.

For the second year in a row, Orange will face Eastern Guilford for the tournament championship. On Friday night, the Wildcats defeated Graham 83-47.

Last year, Orange fell behind 17-2 to Eastern,  but stormed back to win 74-60 behind 27 points from Connor Crabtree and 24 points from Logan Vosburg.

McMullin’s total was his best since opening the season with 37 points against the North Carolina School of Science and Math.

For Orange, Marquis Phelps had four points, Matt Atherton two, Machai Holt two, Eli Haithcock 6, Kendall Whitted 6, and Ryan Sellers 3.

Orange will face Eastern Guilford at EGHS at 8:30 on Saturday night.