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The varsity Lady Panther soccer team played Oxford Webb, a conference rival, Wednesday, April 10. The Panthers survived with a clean escape, gaining their first conference victory. The JV and varsity teams traveled to Eagle territory to play Eastern Alamance on Friday, April 11. Both teams came out with a loss after a hard-fought game.
Wednesday the varsity team kicked off an intense match against the Oxford Webb Warriors on their home turf. They came away unscathed with a 7-0 win. The Panthers scored two quick goals within the first 10 minutes of the game, and by the end of the half they had six goals, four of them scored by the Shinnick sisters, Rachel Shinnick with one and Becca Shinnick with the other three. Ashley Badstein, the starting keeper for OHS, had a shutout in the first half, and Becca Shinnick also had a clean break in goal in the second half, tipping the ball over the goal on a close shot from the Lady Warriors.
The Warriors held strong in the second half, only conceding one goal in the last 20 minutes of the half. The Panther’s seventh goal came from Kaela Lane, a junior, who finished a cross from out wide and headed it over the keeper into the goal. The game concluded at a win, 7-0, for the Lady Panthers. This is the third conference game that the Panthers have played, however this is their first conference victory. Rowan Jaynes, a sophomore center defender for the team, said, “I thought that we were very well prepared for this game. We were able to work on the things we needed to work on and build as a team.”
Friday the OHS Panthers suffered a tough defeat against Eastern Alamance. The JV team started, coming out with a strong offensive force. After 20 minutes of evenly matched competition, the Eagles squeezed through the Panther’s back line, scoring three goals, making the final score 3-0. In an interview with Maggie Asuncion, starting center mid for the OHS team, she said, “Our goal as a team is to win our final game.” Instead of dwelling on the defeat, they are focusing on improving for their final game against Cedar Ridge.
Following the first match, the varsity team kicked off at 6:45. Before the start of the game, Eastern Alamance held a moment of silence for Desmond Piccini, a student from their school who had recently passed away. In honor of Piccini, Eastern wore blue bows in their hair, and the OHS Panthers played with green wristbands on. From the very beginning, the game was full of physicality and fierce competition, with both teams fostering a rivalry. Eastern went ahead in the first half, scoring off of a cross with a header into the corner of the goal. The score remained stagnant until the final third of the game when the Eagles finalized the score at 3-0 with two additional goals. The Panthers, who had prepared for a rematch after an earlier defeat in the season, played a solid game, although the score didn’t reflect their effort.
At the end of the week, the Panthers came out with a conference victory, further pushing them ahead in the playoff standings. Although they suffered a tough loss from Eastern Alamance, they are deciding to focus their efforts on improving for the upcoming conference games.
Photo Credit: Julie Joyner. The girls line up for the beginning of the game.[/caption]The Varsity women’s soccer team played the first game of the season against Southern Durham on Wednesday, February 26. The match was hosted on the Panther’s home field at 6:45 p.m. The team came away with an 8-0 victory over Southern Durham.
Many fans came to see the Panther’s first game. OHS finally beat Southern Durham, who had taken away their state championship previously in football. The game began with a quick start as Natala Phillips, senior, scored the first goal of the match. As the first half progressed, the Panthers scored three more goals, making the score 4-0 by halftime. Junior Rachel Shinnick, #10 on the team, had a powerful game, scoring two consecutive goals of the first four. Although the Panthers took the lead early, the goal keeper for Southern Durham stopped many shots.
As the whistle blew to conclude the game, the OHS varsity team filed off the field, proud of their first win of the season. Southern Durham no longer claimed the victory over OHS and the Panthers were proud to say that they were undefeated for the first time in four years. Junior Lexi Moyer said, “I think that our first game went pretty well and I think the rest of the season we will improve a lot.”
Photo Credit: Megan Joyner.[/caption]Update: Currently all try-outs for sports are postponed.
Spring sports are about to start at OHS, as preseason comes to a halt and tryouts begin. Orange High School offers a wide range of spring sport teams, including women’s soccer, men’s lacrosse, track, baseball, softball, men’s tennis, and golf. However, to get ready for the big day, athletes might need to know a few inside secrets about tryouts, what to expect, and what to bring. The following article details each sport and gives some pointers from each coach.
Women’s soccer tryouts will be on Monday, February 17 through Wednesday, February 19. They will be held on the OHS soccer field from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day. It is highly recommended by the coach that potential team members attend each day. It is also important that they have valid physical and soccer eligibility forms and that the forms are turned in before showing up to tryouts. If anyone is in need of any of the soccer forms, they should see Coach Hunter in room 407 as soon as possible. To prepare for the upcoming tryouts, it is important that athletes are in physical shape and prepared to work hard. On the day of tryouts, they should meet at the OHS soccer field ready to go by 4:00. Tryouts will be 4:00 to 6:30 each day. In order to be prepared, it is necessary to bring clothes to run in, tennis shoes, cleats, shin guards, and soccer socks. It is alright if athletes don’t have cleats and other soccer apparel. They just need to show up in an outfit that will help them do their best.
The men’s tennis team will be hosting tryouts February 17 through 19 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the OHS tennis courts. It is important to bring tennis shoes, athletic apparel, and a tennis racket. It may be cold, so athletes should dress appropriately for the weather. Coach Webb is looking for players who have a passion for the game and the team. All players are welcome, whether they are just learning or want to improve their game. He said, “Be ready to come out every day ready to work, compete, and have fun.”
Baseball tryouts will be held on Monday, February 17. They will be held on the OHS baseball field from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. In order to be prepared for the event, people interested in trying out should bring baseball pants, sleeves, a sweatshirt, a jacket, and a baseball cap. They should also have the necessary equipment; baseball gloves, bats, helmets, etc. As a special insider tip as to what Coach Dease expects in a player, he said, “You need to be able to play the game very well.”
Softball tryouts will be February 17 through 19 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m on the softball fields. Coach Denise wants to remind all players to show up with paperwork and physicals filled out. In preparation for the upcoming event, players will need to wear long pants and any other clothing appropriate for the weather. In addition, they will need to bring softball gear such as gloves, bats, catcher’s equipment, helmets, and any other equipment necessary for their best-suited position. Tryouts will include an extensive skills evaluation of fastpitch softball, which includes throwing accuracy and speed, hitting, bunting, base running, sliding, fielding logistics, and overall comprehension of the game.
The lacrosse team will host tryouts February 17 through 19, from 4:15 to 6:30 p.m. Players should meet at the OHS field house prepared and ready to play. They need to bring tennis shoes and any lacrosse gear that they own. If they don’t have all of the gear, there will be some at the tryout for them to use. The most important thing to bring, according to Coach O’Neal, is a “good attitude.” Tryouts will be very competitive and will include skill and fitness evaluations. Coaches will also be looking at prospective positions for each player and will be deciding which one best suits the needs of the team. Coach O’Neil said, “Obviously, we are looking for skilled lacrosse players, but what people may not know is that we are also looking for athletes who may be new to lacrosse, but have a good attitude and want to learn the game.”
Track began for the indoor track participants on Thursday, February 6, and opened to the rest of the athletes on Friday, February 7 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Players should come dressed in appropriate clothes for the weather and bring tennis shoes, spikes, and any other equipment for specific events. Coach Joubert said, “We want athletes to come with an open mind expecting to learn that they are good at something they did not necessarily consider.” Although the team is looking for athletes, they are also in need of computer experts to record results. In the next week, the coaches will hold a meeting for parents and athletes once they find a date that works for the majority of participants.
Golf will start their season on February 12 at 4:00 p.m. with practice at the Occoneechee golf course. It is necessary to bring golf clubs and appropriate clothing. On the following Monday, the team will start to play. If potential team members have any questions or concerns, they should speak to Coach Moser.
Athletes should remember to show up with a valid physical and be prepared for each and every day. Finally, they should relax, have fun, and work hard.
Photo Credit: Brianna Hales[/caption]Originally the men's and women's basketball games were scheduled for Tuesday, February 11 but were moved to Monday, February 10. Both JV teams played at 5:30 pm and both varsity teams played at 7 pm. The games were moved because of the speculation of snow for Tuesday night.
The women's game was at home against Northern Vance High School. This was their senior night so thank you to everyone who came out and supported your lady Panthers.
The men's team played away at Oxford Webb High School. Their senior night will be this Friday, on Valentine's Day, against Cedar Ridge High School at 7 pm. The tickets will be $5 and the game will be held in the big gym at OHS.
Joyner does not know what college she wants to go to, although she is currently visiting colleges that interest her. “I really want to [play soccer in college],” she said, but she also said that she isn’t sure what God’s plan is for her yet.
Joyner said that her travel team practices three to four times a week from September to December and plays games on the weekends. During the school season, she has the weekends off but practices every day after school.
When asked what team she likes more, Joyner was unable to answer definitively. She said that her travel team is better in some ways “because you grow friendships” and she has known people on the team for many years, but the OHS team is better because it is “really relaxing… [You can] try more positions. There’s more school spirit.”
The soccer player who has inspired and influenced her the most is Rachel Buehler, a member of the US women’s soccer team. “[She’s at] the top of the top,” Joyner said. Buehler is important to Joyner because she, like Joyner, is a defender. Joyner called her “really down to earth” and a “really good person.” She “plays the style that I like to play,” Joyner elaborated.
Joyner’s brother, Hunter Joyner, is another influential person in her life. He “played all the way up to college and was a great influence and model for me,” she stated.
Joyner is a devoted Christian, and she believes that going to church with her friends and family is probably the biggest part of her life. She sometimes likes to go running and was on the indoor track team last year. She also enjoys sewing and making crafts.
Jessica Scott hits a backhand. Photo Credit: Yearbook Staff.[/caption]The women’s tennis team celebrated senior night on Tuesday, October 8, after it was canceled on Monday due to rain. The team faced a tough match against rival, Cedar Ridge High School, and lost 0-9. Even with the loss, the team remained in high spirits enjoying their last match of the season. At 4:15 pm the senior night festivities started and at 4:30 pm the matches began.
To recognize the seniors, Coach Andy Brown called out each senior onto the courts one by one to be joined by their teammates and parents. He thanked them for their participation, mentioned their post-high school plans, and gave them a flower. The seniors on the team were Kiana Bell, Jessica Scott, Mary Katherine Dougherty, Skylar Crabtree, and Brianna Hales. Skylar Crabtree said, "[Senior night] was amazing. My favorite part was when Coach Brown did the curly shuffle." At the end of the ceremony Coach Brown demonstrated a dance called the curly shuffle to the team.
Every year, the underclassmen plan senior night for the teammates graduating. They contributed by making posters for each senior and the foreign exchange student, Ines Soffer, since this will be her only year playing on the team. Parents of the seniors brought food for all the players to enjoy. The team continued the celebration at Tokyo Express, where they ate out and enjoyed their last night together. Jessica Scott said, "[Senior night] was a bittersweet moment for me. I have been blessed to have a caring and loving team this season and a fantastic coach...I'm so thankful for the awesome season we had."
Although this was the last match of the season, the conference tournament was held at OHS on Wednesday, October 9 at 1 pm. Kiana Bell and Beth Bryan both played singles matches against Northwood and Chapel Hill respectively and lost in the first round. Jessica Scott and Michaela Shriner played doubles and lost to Chapel Hill in the first round as well. Mary Katherine Dougherty and Brianna Hales played doubles against J.F. Webb and won, progressing to round two. They lost to Cedar Ridge.