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This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is junior setter Katie Silcott. Last week, Silcott had a triple-double as the Lady Panthers won the Central Conference Tournament. In the semifinals against Western Alamance, Silcott finished with 12 kills, eleven digs and 32 assists. The following night in the championship match against Cedar Ridge, Silcott missed a triple-double by one dig. She finished with ten kills, 22 assists and nine digs. Orange won two five-set matches on back-to-back nights in order to secure its first conference tournament championship since 2005. Orange also won its third straight match at Cedar Ridge. Silcott has been Orange’s setter since her freshman year. She has a total of 1,769 assists. In her sophomore season, Silcott put up a school-record 1,037 assists as Orange won the Eastern Regional championship, facing Kings Mountain for the state championship at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh. Silcott had a double-double with 22 assists and eleven digs in the state championship match. Silcott has been a regular starter for an Orange team that has won back-to-back regular season conference championship for the first time since 2004-2005. With the addition of Sawyer White to the lineup, Silcott has become a lethal attacker and a blocker at the net. Orange will face Triton in the opening round of the state playoffs tonight in Hillsborough.

Orange Panther of the Week: Katie Silcott

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is junior setter Katie Silcott. Last week, Silcott had a triple-double as the Lady Panthers won the Central Conference Tournament. In the semifinals against Western Alamance, Silcott finished with 12 kills, eleven digs and 32 assists.

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is sophomore tennis player Ellie Wilson. Last week at the Central Conference Tennis Championships at the Burlington Tennis Center, Wilson qualified for the Mideast Regionals in singles play. Wilson had to win two matches in order to reach Regionals for the first time in her career. In the opening round, she defeated Jasmin Brown of Cedar Ridge 6-2, 6-3. With a spot in the Regionals on the line, Wilson got past Kensley Gasaway of Western Alamance 6-4, 7-5. This season, Wilson was placed in the starting lineup by head coach Justin Webb and she produced nine singles wins. Overall, Wilson has been a part of 14 victories as Orange finished in second place in the Central Conference. For the first time in school history, it appears that Orange will host a match in the State Dual Team Playoffs later this month. Wilson opened this season with a straight sets victory over Quinn Parker of Eno River Academy. She followed that by beating Alaina Bustillo of Voyager Academy 8-2. Wilson has played doubles with freshman Kalynn Mason and has amassed a 5-1 record. This Friday, Wilson will play in the Mideast Regional singles tournament at the Burlington Tennis Center looking to advance to the semifinals, which would earn her an automatic spot in the 3A State Singles Tournament.

Orange Panther of the Week: Ellie Wilson

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is sophomore tennis player Ellie Wilson. Last week at the Central Conference Tennis Championships at the Burlington Tennis Center, Wilson qualified for the Mideast Regionals in singles play. Wilson had to win two matches in order to reach Regionals for the first time in her career.

Go to @bwillgfx on Instagram for more photographs for Braeden Wilbourn.

Orange volleyball found a way to win against Person in Hillsborough on Tuesday night. The Lady Panthers fought off nine set points by Person in the opening frame to win 31-29. Junior Ava Wilkerson had six kills in the first set. Junior Katie Silcott finished with 23 assists, 16 digs and eight kills as Orange maintained its share of first place in the Central Conference. They remain tied with Western Alamance and Cedar Ridge for 1st with a 8-2 league record. Senior libero Abby Silinski had 22 digs and an ace. Orange has won three straight matches for the first time this year. In the second set, Person jumped out to a 13-6 lead before Orange made a comeback. The Lady Panthers ended the second set on a 7-1 run, starting with a kill by Ava Wilkerson assisted by Sawyer White. Silinski had an ace to put Orange ahead 24-20. Jordan had three kills during the final run of the second set. In the third set, Person jumped out to a 12-7 lead before the Panthers would rally once again. In the third set, Silcott had five digs, seven assists, two kills and a block. Orange will face Carrboro tonight in a nonconference match. It will be a rematch of last year’s 3A Eastern Regional championship match that Orange won in five sets.

Orange volleyball’s Katie Silcott & Abby Silinski discuss sweep of Person

Orange volleyball found a way to win against Person in Hillsborough on Tuesday night. The Lady Panthers fought off nine set points by Person in the opening frame to win 31-29. Junior Ava Wilkerson had six kills in the first set.

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is junior middle blocker Ava Wilkerson. In 2023, Wilkerson played a huge role in the Lady Panthers winning its first volleyball conference championship in 18 years, going through the Central Conference undefeated. Orange reached the 3A State Championship match for just the second time in school history. Playing inside Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, Wilkerson had 14 kills and eight blocks against Kings Mountain. In the 3A Eastern Regional championship match against Carrboro, Wilkerson had 13 kills and four blocks as the Lady Panthers defeated the Jaguars in five sets. Last week, Wilkerson had a career-high 27 kills as Orange defeated Cedar Ridge 3-2 to force a tie for first place in the Central Conference. In August, Wilkerson committed to play at UCF, the first-ever Big 12 commitment from Orange High. Wilkerson has played varsity volleyball since she was a freshman, when she played alongside her older sister, Allie, now playing at Division III Averett. This season, Ava leads Orange with 199 kills and 32 blocks. She is determined to help Orange win its second straight conference championship. This season, Orange has played a difficult slate against opponents like D.H. Conley, Falls Lake and Millbrook. Coming up tonight, the Lady Panthers host Person in Hillsborough. On Wednesday, Orange will host Carrboro before heading to Graham on Thursday to face Southern Alamance.

Orange Panther of the Week: Ava Wilkerson

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is junior middle blocker Ava Wilkerson. In 2023, Wilkerson played a huge role in the Lady Panthers winning its first volleyball conference championship in 18 years, going through the Central Conference undefeated. Orange reached the 3A State Championship match for just the second time in school history.

BURLINGTON: Walter Williams is back at the football heights they enjoyed during the 1970s and 1980s.

They have a Duke recruit at quarterback, depth at running back, size along the interior lines and more players than some 4A schools.

Last week, the Bulldogs were forced to play a night early against Orange because of Hurricane Helene. Even with rain falling down around them on a Thursday night against Orange, the Bulldogs rushing game would not be deterred.

Senior running back Amarion Richmond rushed for 230 yards and four touchdowns, including three on the ground, and the Bulldogs piled up 445 yard on the soggy turf at Memorial Stadium in a 47-23 victory over Orange. It was the Bulldogs fifth straight win over Orange since they became Central Conference rivals in 2021.

The night wasn’t a lost cause for the Panthers. Senior wide receiver Kingston Purefoy-Farrington finished with 219 receiving yards and three touchdowns, his 2nd 200-yard receiving game of the year. Junior quarterback Kyse Devore, who was pressed into duty after senior starter Hank Nunnery suffered an injury at Montgomery Central on September 13, threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns.

Orange senior linebacker Jayden Medley finished with 20 tackles, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble.

“Williams is the standard,” Orange head coach DeVante Pettiford said as the players walked along a shiny, wet track on its way to the team bus. “They’re the big dogs in this conference. Ever since I’ve been here, they’ve been where we want to go. They do everything first class. More importantly, they have a great coaching staff that does great things.”

Orange did have its first lead of the conference slate. On the first play of the game, Williams quarterback Dan Mahan mishandled a toss sweep, which was recovered by senior linebacker Justin Torain. It led to Will Cooper kicking a 27-yard field goal to put the Panthers ahead 3-0.

The Bulldogs would quickly score 20 points over its next three possessions. A big kickoff return led by the Bulldogs starting its next drive at the Panther 38-yard line. Williams’ Kameron Rogers had a touchdown called back on a holding penalty, but Richmond galloped up the middle on 3rd-and-goal from the Orange 18 and ran through untouched. The extra point was blocked.

Williams went 58 yards on just three plays on its next drive. Mahan, who is the starting catcher for the Bulldogs baseball team, threw to Bron Rogers for 15 yards to cross into Panther territory. Then Mahan scored on a keeper from 35 yards out. The extra point by Cole Brinskelle put Williams ahead 13-3.

After the Panthers failed to get a first down on its subsequent drive, Mahan hit Andrew Cruz for 21 yards. On the next play, Mahan found Richmond for a 21-yard touchdown pass.

Orange defensive back Hunter Frazier picked off a pass from Mahan at the Orange goal line and returned it 20 yards to open the second quarter. Williams led 20-3 at halftime.

It remained 20-3 going into the third quarter after Orange cornerback Dominic O’Keefe picked off a pass from Mahan after the Bulldogs drove down to the Orange 23-yard line.

After a short Orange punt led to Williams setting up at the Panther 38-yard line, Richmond roared up the middle for a 27-yard touchdown.

Suddenly, the game turned into a track meet on a muddy field. Devore found Kingston-Farrington for a 39-yard strike from Devore. Cooper’s extra point narrowed Williams lead to 27-10.

It took only two plays on the next Williams drive to change the score again. Mahan hit Bron Rogers for 15 yards, which led to Kristopher Rogers scoring on a handoff up the middle from 46 yards.

To open the fourth quarter, Richmond broke free for a 68 yard touchdown on a one-play Williams touchdown drive. The extra point missed wide left and kept the score at 40-10.

Orange found rare good fortune on 3rd down when Devore hit Purefoy-Farrington on a 75-yard strike for a touchdown.

It appeared Orange would punt on its next drive, but the Bulldogs were hit with a personal foul after an incomplete pass on 3rd-and-14. Once again, Devore found Purefoy-Farrington, who made the catch and ran in uncontested after Williams’ defensive back gambled and lost on an interception attempt.

Kristopher Rogers scored his second touchdown on a 26-yard run. Earlier in the drive, he ran for 29 yards to cross into Panther real estate.

Orange will host Cedar Ridge for Homecoming this Friday night at Auman Stadium.

WILLIAMS 47, ORANGE 23

ORA–3  0   7  13-23

WIL–20  0  7 20-47

ORA–Will Cooper 24 FG

WIL–Amarion Richmond 18 run (kick blocked)

WIL–Dan Mahan 35 run (Cole Brinskelle kick)

WIL–Richmond 21 pass from Mahan (Brinskelle kick)

WIL–Richmond 27 run (Brinskelle kick)

ORA–Kingston Purefoy-Farrington 39 pass from Kyse Devore (Cooper kick)

WIL–Kristopher Rogers 46 run (Brinkselle kick)

WIL–Richmond 68 run (kick failed)

ORA–Purefoy-Farrington 75 pass from Devore (kick failed)

ORA–Purefoy-Farrington 75 pass from Devore (Cooper kick)

WIL–K. Rogers 26 run (Brinskelle kick)

RUSHING: ORANGE 24-24 (Deandre Brown 7-18, Purefoy-Farrington 1-12, Kayden Bradsher 8-11, Devote 6-(-2), team 1-(-2), Hunter Frazier 1-(-15))

WILLIAMS: 43-445 (Richmond 21-230 3 TDs, K. Rogers 11-158 2 TDs, Mahan 3-40 TD, Ahmar Watkins 5-12, Kyrian Fuller 2-6, William Overby 1-(-1)

PASSING: ORANGE (Devore 12-26 226 yards 3 TD 2 INT)
WILLIAMS (Mahan 11-16 113 yards TD 2 INT)

RECEIVING: ORANGE (Purefoy-Farrington 6-219 3 TD, Hunter Albert 3-(-2), Jayden Medley 2-9, Bradsher 1-0)

WILLIAMS (Fuller 3-2, Andrews Cruz 2-29, Bron Rogers 2-26, Overby 2-21, Richmond 1-21, Braeden Vetter 1-15)

Over the past few years, the Orange women’s tennis team has prided itself on having multi-sport athletes up and down its roster. This year, the Lady Panthers are in second place in the Central Conference. On October 7, the Lady Panthers will face Williams with a chance to tie for first place in the regular season. One of the multi-sport athletes on this year’s team is Molly Kruse, the younger sister of Connor Kruse, the all-time leading scorer in Orange lacrosse history. On September 11, Kruse teamed with Shannon Sollars to defeat Reagan Williams and Sarah McLaughlin of Western Alamance 8-2. Orange’s Adelyn Alvis, who has been Orange’s #6 singles player for much of the year, runs track & field during the spring. The Lady Panthers are on the verge of returning to the state playoffs. Last week, the Lady Panthers defeated Person and Southern Alamance in Hillsborough. Kruse and Sollars teamed to defeat Southern Alamance’s team of Madalyn Corbett and Gabby Canup 8-0. Orange celebrated Senior Night against the Patriots. Sollars and Aubrey Petrosanu were honored by head coach Justin Webb. The Lady Panthers will return home to face Eno River Academy on Monday for another home match. They will travel to Eastern Alamance on October 2.

Orange women’s tennis players Shannon Sollars and Molly Kruse talk new tennis court

Over the past few years, the Orange women’s tennis team has prided itself on having multi-sport athletes up and down its roster. This year, the Lady Panthers are in second place in the Central Conference. On October 7, the Lady Panthers will face Williams with a chance to tie for first place in the regular season.

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is men’s cross country runner Myles Jermyn. On September 10, Orange won its first meet of the season against Cedar Ridge and Western Alamance at Orange High School. Jermyn finished first at 17:32.00. Last season, Jermyn was a part of the Orange men’s cross country team that finished at Mideast Regional champions. In the 3A State Championships, they came in second place, only behind Croatan. Jermyn, a junior, has run on two Central Conference championship teams. In the Mideast Regionals last October, Jermyn finished eighth in the region as the Panthers won the team championship by 22 points over Northern Nash. Jermyn finished second in the conference championship last year at Lake Cammack Course in Burlington. Myles’ father, Kevin, is the men’s and women’s cross country coach at Duke University. His younger sister, Reilly, has started running for the Orange women’s team and finished 2nd in the opening conference meet two weeks ago. Last spring, Myles finished third in the 1,600 meters during the Mideast Regional Outdoor Track & Field championships at UNC Pembroke. He finished second in the region at 3,200 meters. During the 3A State Championships at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, Jermyn finished 10th in both the 1,600 and 3,200 meters.

Orange Panther of the Week: Myles Jermyn

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is men’s cross country runner Myles Jermyn. On September 10, Orange won its first meet of the season against Cedar Ridge and Western Alamance at Orange High School. Jermyn finished first at 17:32.00. Last season, Jermyn was a part of the Orange men’s cross country team that finished at Mideast Regional champions.