Sports Editor
The Apex Men’s
Basketball team won the SWAC Conference Championship for the fourth consecutive
year on Tuesday night after dominating Green Hope 82-54. The lopsided score is
a good representation of how this conference has looked over the last four
years. It has consisted of pure domination by the Apex Cougars. In a high
school conference that can be compared to the ACC in terms of big schools and
talented athletes, it is very rare that one school wins four straight
conference basketball titles; but that is exactly what Apex has done.
After winning
the State Championship a season ago, it was clear that Apex would be on most
teams’ radar going into the season. They lost several seniors that played a big
part in Apex’s success the past couple of years including a stellar backcourt
of TJ Evans and TJ Wells. So with a loss in talent, a target on their back, and
a tough schedule, Apex did not have an ideal start to the season. They lost
three out of their first four games and by the end of December were only 6-6. Not
exactly what you would expect from the defending State Champs and three-time
defending conference champs. Apex then entered conference play and played a cross-town
rival Panther Creek in the first week.
Apex and
Panther Creek have played in some memorable games in the last couple of years,
including a broken backboard and comeback for the ages capped off by a TJ Evans
game-winner, and this season’s game did not disappoint. “The turning point in the season was probably
the first time we played Panther Creek,” said senior Davis Dupree, “It was a
battle and we really had to gut out the win. It was one of, if not the best,
games we have played all year and it really helped set the tone for the second
half of the season.” They set the tone and went on to win nine out of their
next eleven games including the whipping of Green Hope
this past Tuesday.
In the final
game of the regular season Apex, led by senior John Kitoko’s 27 points, beat
Holly Springs 74-70 to finish out the season 12-2 in the conference, three
games clear of a two-way tie between Cary and Panther Creek in second who both sit
at 9-5. “It’s a great feeling and an amazing accomplishment,” said Dupree on
winning four consecutive conference championships, “We've been blessed with
great coaches and so many good players that have been a part of the program.” Apex
will be the #1 seed in the conference tournament that starts next week and will
play Athens Drive on Monday at home. The semifinals and Championship games of
the SWAC Conference Tournament will be held at Middle Creek on Wednesday and
Friday of next week.
