CLAYTON — For the second time in two nights, traveling Apex fans rushed the floor and coaches embraced one another as the Cougars again upended a conference champion on the road. This time it was a 60-55 win over Greater Neuse River champions Clayton High School.

The win was by no means easy. But the Cougars kept their composure against a rowdy crowd of “Comet Crazies” and slowed a team that had been averaging close to 80 points a game in the playoffs.

“I couldn’t be more proud of how these guys kept their composure,” Apex coach David Neal said. “I think defense was really the key for us.”

The game was tight throughout, as Apex led 17-16 at the end of the first quarter but fell behind 28-26 at the half. A three pointer by Apex senior guard Tim Plummer late in the third quarter gave Apex a lead it would not give up in the game, despite several Clayton runs and shifts in momentum.

Though Plummer led all scorers with 18 points, it was his defense on Clayton senior Clint Mixon that made the biggest impact in the game, Neal said. “Tim Plummer did a great job on [Mixon],” Neal said. “He’s been our stopper for three years. He might be the best perimeter defender I’ve ever had. He’s such a warrior and so is DeArius [White]. Those guys just led us. And [Plummer] doesn’t always make the best decisions on offense, but he always makes up for it on the defensive end.”

That defense became particularly important in the closing minutes, as Apex struggled from the free-throw line and Clayton was determined to make a final run. Still, defense held off the Comets and kept the home crowd at bay.

“We weren’t going to let one free throw get us down, we realized that we had to get it back on defense, and we got it back on the defensive end and got the rebounds,” White said.

Apex junior guard Adam Perry echoed White’s comment that defense down the stretch overcame a poor shooting performance from the free throw line.

“Coach always stresses our defense. Our free throws weren’t falling, but if they can’t score they can’t win.” Perry said.

Junior Kyle Waters and White scored 12 and 10 points, respectively in the contest, as Apex big man Weston Murphy was limited with foul trouble and struggled in the game. Still, all of Murphy’s four points came in the fourth quarter, when Apex needed them most.

Though Apex’s players were elated after the win, they weren’t surprised with the outcome, White said.

“We’re pretty confident; all along our coach has told us what we’re capable of. Everybody counted us out, but he kept believing in us and we kept believing in ourselves,” White said.

After defeating Millbrook 50-49 on Thursday and Clayton Friday, the Cougars have earned a spot in the regional semifinals in Greenville at Minges Coliseum this week.

“Now we go to Greenville,” Plummer said. “We just have to take it one game at a time.”

And if the team’s mentality is anything like that of Perry, the team will be ready to continue its unexpected run.

“I’m ready to go, man,” Perry said. “I’m ready to go right now. We’re ready to play.”