Panther Creek and Cary's head boys basketball coaches agree on at least one principle -- the first three minutes of the second half are crucial. The Catamounts were the ones to capitalize, jumping out to a double-digit lead on the Imps to provide valuable cushion for a 57-52 Tri-Nine Conference win.

Rod Sink, the career behind-the-scenes assistant coach, is now ready to be the front man for Wakefield's football team.

Stevens:  The N.C. High School Athletic Association will use a new process this year to pair teams in its basketball playoffs.

1. Orange (1) 14-0

A caption Thursday incorrectly identified a Broughton High School football player. The player is Jon McLamb.

Durham Hillside linebacker Jamal Marcus, one of the top high school football players in the state, said he knew he wanted to go to Ohio State after talking to new Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer for the first time.

Moments after J.D. Dinwiddie resigned as Wakefield's football coach, he wanted to speak with his offensive coordinator Rod Sink. In that small amount of time before the news reached his players, Dinwiddie gave Sink a message: "You need to apply," Dinwiddie said.

Alison Morton, a senior at Leesville Road High School, has hunted by herself for three years, but said she had never experienced anything like the 12-point buck she killed the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Grow up playing your father's sport. You've seen his college jersey, his trophies and his championship ring. You want that and people expect you to achieve it, too.

Keeping in-state talent in North Carolina has long been a challenge for the state's Division I-A schools. It seemed especially challenging during the latest recruiting season.

1. Chapel Hill(1)21-0

1. Millbrook (1)19-2