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En route to winning its first softball state championship last year, it’s easy to forget that Orange nearly lost in the second round.

Last May, Topsail had a 2-1 lead against the Lady Panthers in the 8th inning in Hillsborough. In the bottom of the inning, Abby Hamlett, Jaden Hurdle and Hayley Funk all reached, loaded the bases for All-State catcher Mia Davidson.

What followed has lived on through word of mouth across Hillsborough ever since. Topsail Coach Eric Phillips opted to walk Davidson with the bases loaded, surrendering the Pirates’ lead with the season on the line. Pitcher Christina Givens promptly lined to center to score the winning run.  Two weeks later, the Lady Panthers were celebrating a state title at N.C. State.

There will be no celebration this year. Topsail made sure of that.

The Pirates defeated the Panthers 16-7 in Hampstead in the first round of the 3A State Playoffs on Wednesday night. Orange scored three runs in the top of the second inning to take a 3-1 lead, but the Pirates reeled off five consecutive runs to advance to the 2nd round.

Orange ends the season 11-8.

With one out In the top of the second, Rachel Tilley reached on an error and Olivia Ruff walked. Sophomore Gracie Ducharme, pinch-hitting for Jala Rainey, singled to center to load the bases. Grace Andrews drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game. Pitcher Jaden Hurdle lined a single to left to score Ducharme and Tilley.

After that, the Pirates had its way, totaling 15 hits. Topsail scored twice runs in the second inning. Lauren Labelle, running for Annalee Hart, scored on a wild pitch. Tanesha Williams laced an RBI single to bring in Tyesha Williams, tying the game 3-3.

Topsail added three more in the fourth. Tanesha Williams lined a single to centerfield to score Tyesha Williams once again to give the Pirates the lead. Sydney Hartgrove stroked a single to center to bring in Williams and Aneshia Jordan.

With Orange trailing 11-4 in the 5th, Hurdle drilled a single to right to score Ruff. With the bases loaded, Funk was hit by a pitch, plating Alisha Pettiford. Allyson Lloyd, in her final game at Orange, hit a sacrifice fly to center, allowing Andrews to touch home and narrow the Topsail lead to 11-7.

Topsail responded with five runs in the fifth and five more in the sixth.

Hurdle finished 2-for-5 with 3 RBI. Andrews was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored. Ruff went 1-for-3.

Hurdle, a sophomore pitcher who started at first last season, ended the season as the team’s leading hitter with a .483 batting average. She also led the team in hits (18), home runs (3), and RBIs (24). Lloyd had seven doubles to pace the squad.

Hurdle also led the team with 68.2 innings pitched, going 7-7 with a 4.28 ERA.

Along with Lloyd, it was the final game for Orange seniors Olivia Latta-Harshaw, Alyssa Hellman and Kaitlyn Torain.

Orange sophomore Dylan Boyer scored four goals on Friday night in the Panthers 12-10 victory over Cedar Ridge. With the win, Orange kept its hopes for the state playoff alive, squaring its overall record to 6-6 and its Conference 7 record at 3-3, good enough for third place behind 1st place East Chapel Hill and Northwood. Orange also defeated Southern Alamance last week. 

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After a difficult 6-12 season a year ago, the Cedar Ridge softball team served notice in its season opener that past disappointments are exactly that—-in the past.

In her first varsity game, sophomore Tori Dalehite homered while senior pitcher Rivers Andrews threw a three-hitter as the Red Wolves defeated Eastern Alamance 4-1 in Mebane on a brisk Wednesday evening.

It was no small victory for the Red Wolves. Last season, Eastern Alamance captured the Mid-State Conference Regular Season Championship with a 15-1 record. The Eagles reached the 2nd round of the state playoffs, where they fell to J.F. Webb 3-2.

Dalehite’s two-run homer punctuated a four-run fourth inning for Cedar Ridge. Junior Tionna Carter walked to start the frame. Junior Amy Stutzer, who finished 3-for-4, sent Carter to third on a double. Andrews reached on an error,  which scored Carter. Freshman Reagan Ruhl, running for Andrews, scored on the Dalehite home run.

Dalehite’s softball debut was a long time coming. Even before her freshman seasons, she was penciled in for a starting position because of her accomplishments in summer softball. But that entire season was washed away when she suffered a torn ACL playing basketball just weeks into the 2016 season.

Junior Kymberlie Thacker finished 3-for-4.

Andrews threw a complete game three-hitter, striking out 15 and allowing just one walk.

Cedar Ridge will take the rest of the week off and face Western Alamance on Wednesday at the Red Wolves Softball Field.

With 12 seniors competing regularly, there’s a sense of finality to Orange Wrestling this season.

There’s also a sense of unfinished business.

After falling one takedown short of winning its sixth state championship last season in a two-point loss to Piedmont, Orange is now 20-0 this season. For most teams, advancing to the state quarterfinals is uncharted waters. For Orange, it’s just another step to the ultimate goal.

On Tuesday night, the Panthers defeated Morehead 53-20 to wrap up its second consecutive trip to the state quarterfinals. Morehead and Orange faced each other for the sixth time in seven seasons. In 2016, the two sides faced off in a dramatic 2nd round match in Eden where Morehead won the final match at heavyweight to advance.

However, Tuesday night wasn’t nearly as dramatic. Donald Hicks pulled a surprising pin over Nate Lowe at 2:55, and the Panthers never looked back. Heavyweight Daylan Alston edged Marcus Griffin 3-2. Alston scored the only takedown early in the third period, which proved to be the margin of victory.

After Kessel Summers received a forfeit victory, Orange led 15-0. Mitchell Askew followed with a technical fall over Aaron Marriot 15-0. Gavin Wiggins, wrestling at 120, scored a major decision over Alberto Martinez 10-1 to push Orange’s lead to 30-0. Bailey Hawkins, in his final match at OHS Gym, got another technial fall against D’Ante Richardson 16-1.

Avery Jenkins clinched the match for Orange by pinning Tyler Horton at 160 in :40. Josiah Ramirez, also in his final match at Orange, pinned Zachary Baumann in :49. At 195, Orange’s Braden Homsey remained undefeated with a forfeit victory.

Earlier in the night, Orange defeated Gray’s Creek 62-7. Homsey, Alston, and Jenkins all scored pins. At 170, Francisco McKinley, the kicker for the Orange football team, pinned Leo Walsh in 1:31. At 182, Chandler Howard pinned Hunter Cunningham iin 2:45. Summers, Hicks and Askew earned forfeit wins. Hawkins defeated Ethan Maguin 12-0, while Wiggins also scored a major decision against Zachary Grierson 19-5.

Orange will face Cape Fear in the quarterfinals on Thursday. The location and time for that match will be announced Wednesday morning. The regional championship will also take place Thursday night.

Orange opened the Eastern Guilford Christmas Holiday Basketball Tournament with a victory over Southern Peninsula on Thursday morning. Southern Peninsula, a club team from Australia, flew from Melbourne, Australia to Los Angeles to Atlanta, then drove up for the tournament. Portman paced the Panthers in scoring to end a two-game losing streak and advance to Friday’s semifinals.

Orange G Mitch Portman Talks Win Over Southern Peninsula

Orange opened the Eastern Guilford Christmas Holiday Basketball Tournament with a victory over Southern Peninsula on Thursday morning. Southern Peninsula, a club team from Australia, flew from Dromana, Australia to Los Angeles to Atlanta, then drove up for the tournament. Portman paced the Panthers in scoring to end a two-game losing streak and advance to Friday’s semifinals.

While she played only two full years at Orange, Kayla Hodges left her mark in Hillsborough. As a freshman, she kicked the game-winning penalty in Orange’s victory over Chapel Hill, the first-ever victory for the Panthers over the Tigers in the 27-year history of the program. In 2015, Orange went 15-4-2 and defeated Cleveland 4-0 in the 3A state playoffs. In her career, Hodges scored 30 goals, 17 during her freshman season. On Wednesday, Hodges officially signed with Elon and will enroll next month.

Orange Midfielder Kayla Hodges Officially Signs with Elon

While she played only two full years at Orange, Kayla Hodges left her mark in Hillsborough. As a freshman, she kicked the game-winning penalty in Orange’s victory over Chapel Hill, the first-ever victory for the Panthers over the Tigers in the 27-year history of the program.

Friday night was the first time Orange and Hillside faced each other in a boys basketball conference game since 2004.

But milestones took a backseat for Panthers Coach Greg Motley. It was no substitute for teaching a lesson—-with a lengthy substitution.

“We had a lack of effort, “ said Motley. “We felt we had to work way harder than they were working, and we didn’t. We gave up too many second chances. If we had cut down on those, we could have made it a better game.”

When Hillside scored four times from offensive rebounds off missed dunks. Motley delivered a lesson about effort.

He benched his entire starting five with 4:01 remaining in the third quarter. They didn’t return until there was 3:36 left in the game.

When the starters left, Hillside led 46-31 after Orange went the first 4:05 without scoring. Behind reserves Machai Holt, Ryan Sellers, Jason Franklin, Eli Haithcock and Zyon Pettiford, the Panthers narrowed the deficit to 38-31 early in the fourth quarter.

By the end, Traylen Warren sank free throws and the Hornets, coming off a double overtime loss to Chapel Hill, defeated the Panthers 58-45. Warren led Hillside with 15, while Deontrae Brown had nine.

Mitch Portman paced Orange with ten, the only Panther in double figures. Haithcock, in his first game of the year, and Holt had eight each.

Despite the loss of Connor Crabtree and Logan Vosburg from last season, Orange is still a transition team. But Hillside was the rare team that could not only run with the Panthers, but they could rebound in transition.

“We knew they were a good transition team,” said Motley. “That was what we prepared for. We just turned the ball over too much against token pressure. They really didn’t pressure us that hard, we just didn’t do a good job holding on to the ball.”

Hillside also had superior depth. Hornets Coach Thurman Jordan played 13 players, ten of whom scored.

Orange jumped out to a 10-2 lead behind a three-pointer from Joey McMullin. The Panthers had only one more three-pointer the rest of the game, and McMullin was held to four points.

Hillside’s transition game cranked up in the second half, outscoring the Panthers 21-10. Warren scored six points in the frame and led 25-19 at the half

In the third quarter, Orange didn’t get any points from its starters. After Tarvarest Hargraves scored on a stickback basket off a missed dunk by Xavier Young, Motley benched his starting five.

Holt and Haithcock kept the Panthers in the game, along with a three-pointer from the freshman Franklin.

Orange is now 4-2, 1-1 in the Big 8. Hillside improved to 2-3, 0-1 in the Big 8.

Orange hosts Cedar Ridge on Tuesday at OHS.

HILLSIDE 58, ORANGE 45

ORANGE: Marquis Phelps 4, Mitch Portman 10, Morgan Paschall 4, Joey McMullin 4, Machai Holt 8, Eli Haithcock 8, Ryan Sellers 2, Jason Franklin 3, Matt Atherton 2.

HILLSIDE: Traylen Warren 15, Xavier Young 4, Damon Sanders 7, Brian Bullock 5, Deontrae Brown 9, Jysson Slate 4, Rod Bailey 2, Tarvarest Hargraves 4, Ja’lyn McIntosh 4, Drake Thompson 4.

There was no better time for Janea Myers to become a hero.

Coming off a 60-22 loss to Northern Guilford the night before, Orange had struggled to get the lead in a foul-plagued game against Union Pines on Wednesday at Jim King Gymnasium.

The Lady Vikings  led 36-29 with 7:25 remaining after a jumper by Hadrya Balser, who finished with a game-high 19 points. Union Pines never conceded the lead against the Panthers in the second half—until the last second.

The Vikings led 41-40 when Emily Bowbless went to the line for two free throws. After she missed both of them, Orange had a glimmer of hope which quickly dissipated when Balser grabbed the offensive rebound.

That’s when Balser made her only mistake of the night. Instead of holding the ball and waiting to get fouled, Balser immediately jacked up a short jumper which missed. With :06 remaining, Orange’s Icez Barnett got the rebound and took off up the court with Myers trailing. Only Bowbless was back for the Lady Vikings.

Barnett wasn’t sure if she should take the ball to the basket herself or pass it over to Myers. Barnett had four fouls. Did she have enough time to score? Would Myers have time if she got the pass?

“She was nervous. I was nervous,” said Barnett.

Barnett found the opening she needed to pass it to Myers, who had the angle to lay it in with :01 remaining.

Even with that second left, Myers and Barnett didn’t bother to get back on defense. They were too busy celebrating.

Orange won 41-40. Myers layup gave Orange its first lead since the middle of the second quarter. She finished with 13 to lead the Panthers.

“After the game we had last night, it was good that we had some fight to finish the game out,” said Orange Girls Coach B.J. Condron. “This team was faced with adversity and I want to see us fight through adversity. And they did that.”

Barnett was the only other Panther in double figures with ten. Lauren Cates, who had 17 in Orange’s season-opening win over North Carolina School of Science and Math, was held to five.

Condron is faced with replacing seven seniors from a squad that won the Big 8 regular season and tournament championships last season. In 2016-17, the Lady Panthers got off to the best start in school history by winning its first 21 games. They finished 26-2 after losing to Rockingham County in the third round of the 3A state playoffs.

Maers, Cates, Barnett and Grace Dively were rotation players last season now pressed into mentor roles this season.

“We’ve got some returning players and they insert themselves in helping the younger players,” said Condron. “I’m hoping that the younger players gain some experience looking at players like Janea and Icez so we can become a decent team.”

Coming off making the 2nd round of the 3A State Playoffs last season, the Cedar Ridge girls basketball team has been expectations for the 2017-18 season. The Red Wolves defeated Durham School of the Arts 51-42 on Tuesday night to open the season. Yolanda Simpson scored eleven points for the Red Wolves, who return to action on Friday night to host Jordan-Matthews.

Cedar Ridge Forward Yolanda Simpson Discusses Opening Night Win vs. DSA

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Last time Orange faced Southern Durham on the soccer pitch, it took an overtime goal from Luke Wirzba to claim a vital win.

It wasn’t nearly as suspenseful on Wednesday night at Spartans Stadium.

Jamar Davis added to his stellar senior season with a goal, while Malcolm Phillips and Caleb Krogstad added insurance tallies as the Panthers defeated the Spartans 3-0.

Goalkeeper Noah Miller earned the shutout, his ninth of the season. Orange is now 13-5-2, the most victories in a season since 2010, at least. The Panthers are now in 3rd place in the Big 8 with a 10-3 record. The victory ended a two-game losing streak, including a 2-0 loss at Chapel Hill on Monday night which all but clinched the Big 8 Championship for the Tigers.

Davis also assisted on Phillips goal. Phillips and Ewan McCallum also recorded assists.

The Panthers piled up 15 shots against the Spartans, including Luke Wirzba totaling four.

Orange has one more game remaining in the regular season. They will host Northern Durham on senior night Monday at Panther Soccer Field. Seniors Davis, Krogstad, Omar Landeros, McCallum, Wirzba, Bryan Torres, Thomas Spikes, Phillips, Miller, Isaiah Dupre and Jesus Chavez will alll be honored before the game against the Knights, who Orange defeated 5-2 last month at Jack Armstrong Soccer Stadium.