Basketball Recap: Chip Persson's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Apex over Panther Creek

Apex lost against Panther Creek back in December of 2024 and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Friday. The Apex Cougars took a 57-46 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Panther Creek Catamounts. While losing is never fun, the Cougars can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' North Carolina basketball rankings (they are ranked 402nd, while the Catamounts are ranked 132nd).

Several Cougars players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Chip Persson, who posted eight points and three blocks. The dominant performance gave Persson a new career-high in blocks. Another player making a difference was Zaelyn White, who put up six points.

Even though they lost, Apex was working as a unit and finished the game with 15 assists. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Panther Creek only racked up eight assists.

Panther Creek found their leader in freshman Andre Richardson, who went 6 for 11 on his way to 20 points and four steals. Those 20 points set a new season-high mark for Richardson. The team also got some help courtesy of Camden Hill, who scored 11 points in addition to seven rebounds and four steals.

Apex's defeat was their seventh straight at home dating back to last season, which dropped their record down to 3-16. As for Panther Creek, their victory bumped their record up to 11-8.

Apex will head out on the road to take on Holly Springs at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. Apex is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 53.7 points per game this season. As for Panther Creek, they will welcome Green Hope at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday.