In the case of Green Hope's John Sparks, that meant not listening to his head coach.

Sparks isn't defiant.

It was just a matter of superstition proven right all year long - right up to Sparks' state championship title in the 4-A 112-pound class at the N.C. High School Athletic Association state tournament held at the Greensboro Coliseum last weekend.

Sparks ended his junior year 47-0, becoming the first wrestler in Green Hope history to win a state championship.

"It's awesome. It feels great to be state champ," Sparks said.

One of the first things Sparks did after his thrilling come-from-behind win in the final 18 seconds of the match was jump into the arms of assistant coach Steve Gursslin. He then celebrated with assistant Chris Andre.

After about a minute, he finally got to celebrate with head coach Chip Bunn. Bunn hasn't coached Sparks all year - something that started when Bunn was unable to be at the season's first tournament, in which Sparks won.

Sparks had been so dominant that Bunn kept letting the assistants coach the junior in his matches. And because Sparks never lost, Bunn never intervened.

During Sparks' championship match, a nervous Bunn sat in the Coliseum stands.

"I hadn't sat in his corner all year in individual tournaments. I said I'm not going to sit in it for this one either," Bunn said. "I said I'll go sit upstairs and then come get him at the end."

There were plenty of times for Bunn to be nervous in Sparks' match.

After the first period, Sparks trailed 2-1. He tied it at 2-2 after the second period.

Sparks seemed destined for defeat, trailing 4-2 with 20 seconds to go in the match. But then Sparks scored a reversal with 18 seconds to go, tying the score at 4-4. He continued to work over Alex Cabrera of South Caldwell High, almost getting a pin as time expired.

The two back points awarded for the near fall gave Sparks a 6-4 victory.

"I was in better shape, and that's how I won," Sparks said. "He thought he had the match in hand [and] he thought I was going to let it go into overtime. I just kept going and got the back points."

Sparks is already focused on doing it again next year.

"Undefeated state champ - that's my goal," Sparks said.

Morrison takes second: Panther Creek senior Joe Morrison ended his year 39-4 overall with two of his losses coming to Jovonte Coleman of Winston-Salem's Parkland. The second and final of those came Saturday as Coleman topped Morrison for the 4-A championship in the 130-pound class.

It was the first time a Panther Creek wrestler had advanced all the way to the state championship bout.

Also placing from the area was Apex's Dan Mitchell, who shockingly lost his first match all season in the state tournament opener 4-3. Mitchell rebounded to finish third in the 135-pound class, including avenging his loss in the consolation finals. Mitchell ended his senior year 37-1.

Cary's Boomer Boyd and Panther Creek's Ben Elliott resumed their rivalry in the third-place match of the 125-pound class. Boyd won 4-0 to end his senior year 48-2. Elliott went 46-6 in his senior campaign.

Cary's Ben Creed was injured in the consolation semifinals, causing him to forfeit his final two matches and place sixth in the 135-pound class. A four-year state placer, Creed ended his senior year 37-4 with his only losses coming to Mitchell and by forfeit.