This year, he's already got himself a tournament win.

Bass notched a one-shot victory in the individual competition of the Feb. 28 Seahawk Invitational at the Country Club of Landfall's Nicklaus Course. Bass led his team to a four-stroke win in the event.

The former Greater Neuse River Conference golfer of the year was a member of the first Holly Springs graduating class.

It was his first college win.

Getting revenge: To say the least, Apex's girls lacrosse team was focused after missing out on the championship last year.

The Cougars' non-conference schedule assured the team they'd get plenty of tough tests. This included a rematch against the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season - Wilmington's Hoggard High.

Apex went down to Hoggard and came away with a 14-12 win March 8. The Cougars are still ranked No. 1 in the state and have defeated defending state champ Charlotte Catholic 18-2.

Games left in the dark: Middle Creek's baseball team can't close out games. That's not a knock against the players - they aren't to blame here.

Through the first six games of the season, the Mustangs had two games postponed in the late innings because of darkness.

A 2-2 game in the seventh inning at Athens Drive will be completed at a later date, as will a 15-7 game in the fifth inning at Broughton.

The fields at Broughton and Athens don't have lights, so game times started at 4 p.m.

Mustangs assistant coach Jere Morton had an interesting take on a baseball adage: "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes you get rained out ... and sometimes it gets too dark."

Falcons in front: Through the first two Tri-Nine boys golf matches, Green Hope is holding onto a slim 17-15 lead over Holly Springs.

Green Hope won the season's second match, hosted at Lochmere Golf and Country Club, with Holly Springs taking second. The first match, held at Brier Creek Country Club, was won by Athens Drive (14 team points).

Andrew Fowler of Green Hope has the early edge for conference player of the year with a 35.5 strokes-per-nine-holes average. Athens' Alex Ehlert is close behind with 36.

Two commit in volleyball: Two former first-team all-conference volleyball players have made their college decisions.

Middle Creek's Taylor Pritchett will play at Lees-McRae College, while Athens Drive's Camden Spade will play at Emory University.