In Holly Springs' final year as a member of the Greater Neuse River Conference, the Golden Hawks put forth a second-place effort in this year's Wachovia Conference Cup standings. The Wachovia Conference Cup standings are decided by ranking each school's overall interscholastic athletic performance for that year.

In the Tri-Eight — soon to be Tri-Nine with the addition of Holly Springs next year — Apex defeated Green Hope by a half-point for the Wachovia Conference Cup. Here are the final standings for each conference. 

Greater Neuse River 4-A: Clayton 235, Holly Springs 224, West Johnston 219.5, Southeast Raleigh 216, Garner 209, Knightdale 208.5, Smithfield-Selma 197, East Wake 192.

Tri-Eight 4-A: Apex 149, Green Hope 148.5, Athens Drive 113.5, Panther Creek 99, Middle Creek 98, Cary 91, Fuquay-Varina 77.5, Lee County 47.

The Tri-Eight released its All-Conference baseball team, and it comes as no surprise that Eric Brady takes the Player of the Year award after batting over .500 this season -- and no surprise that the co-coaches of the year come from the league's top two teams.

Here are the correct individual and team scores from Thursday's Tri-Eight track meet:

Some writers rag on themselves for not being good at predicting brackets, but Sports Editor J. Mike Blake has nothing to be ashamed of after getting 20 of 25 possible conference tournament games correct last week. He looks back at his "home runs," "foul tips" and of course, the five games where he "swung on and missed."

These are the All-Tri-Eight first and second teams, along with Coach of the Year awards. It comes as no surprise that respective conference frontrunners Apex & Panther Creek each had three of their starters honored.

Some things to look for from tonight's Tri-Eight championship games at Middle Creek High School. The girls' championship tips off at 6 p.m. with (1) Apex and (3) Green Hope, while the boys' tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. between (1) Panther Creek and (6) Lee County.

APEX WINS: Apex remains undefeated at 24-0 on the year as they cruise by Green Hope 67-47. The Cougars got 26 points from Chloe Wells, who was named Tri-Eight Player of the Year, and 19 points from Cassandra Mitchell, who was named to the Tri-Eight's First Team All-Conference.

PANTHER CREEK WINS: The clock struck 12 on the Lee County Cinderella story. The top-seeded Panther Creek Catamounts ended their run through the Tri-Eight playoffs with a 51-39 win. It wasn't easy, as the Yellow Jackets brought their game and their fans and were actually up at half 22-21. Green Hope's spot is safe.

Because Lee County knocked out Athens Drive, this throws one big monkey wrench into the boys' playoff race.

Middle Creek and Athens Drive will have to play, likely on Friday, to sort out who gets the higher seed since neither team advanced to the championship game. That could be the No. 2 seed or the No. 3 seed, depending on what Lee County will have to do.

Should Lee County win on Friday against the Panther Creek-Apex winner, they will have the No. 2 seed and everyone else will bump down a spot.

Girls: (3) Green Hope 66, (2) Athens Drive 52

For the first time since joining the conference, Athens Drive will not be in the Tri-Eight final. Green Hope beat the Jaguars for the second time in a week thanks in large part to 24 points from diminutive point guard Camille Forbes.

 Green Hope led Athens Drive 29-19 at half and held a 17-4 Falcon lead after the first quarter. Athens didn't go away though, cutting the lead down to 10 with three minutes left. The Falcons went 13-for-15 from the free throw line in the fourth to hold on for the win. The Falcons also got 14 points from both Alyssa Paul and Kristin Gaffney. Athens' Alyx Ingram had 28 points for the Jags.

Boys: (6) Lee County 50, (2) Athens Drive 41

Yet another upset here at the Tri-Eight basketball tournaments. The Jackets played keep away for most of the first half, and trailed 19-17. But Lee County played Athens Drive straight-up in the second half, and then out-played the previously 21-3 Jaguars. 

Athens trailed 31-28 when their go-to player, Josh Davis, was whistled for the foul on K.J. Wiley. Wiley's jump shot fell through the hoop for an "and-one" opportunity, and Davis made it clear he wasn't pleased with the call. Davis picked up the first technical, then was quickly called for a second technical after another negative reaction. The result was a 5-point play for Lee County, which will now enter the championship game on Friday.

Should Lee County win, Green Hope would not go to the state playoffs and Lee County would. Davis finished with 11 points while teammate Quintin Edmundson had 20. Lee's K.J. Wiley had 16 points in the win.

Girls: (1) Apex 59, (4) Middle Creek 44

For the first time today, there wasn't an upset. Apex got out to an early 35-19 lead at half and didn't look back. Standout Chloe Wells went for 20 points to lead all scorers as the Cougars remained undefeated. They'll play Green Hope, a team they swept this season, for the Tri-Eight Championship on Friday. Gametime is set for 6 p.m.

Boys: (1) Panther Creek 65, (4) Apex 58

Panther Creek held off Apex to advance to the conference championship game for the second straight year. Earnest Ross had a monster night, scoring 35 for the Catamounts. Ross had three 3-pointers and converted two three-point-plays. Apex hit 12 3-pointers to keep the heat on for the entire game.

The Cougars actually led after the first quarter (19-16), second quarter (31-27) and third quarter (47-44). But Panther Creek went on a 10-2 run in the final two minutes to come from behind for the win. Apex's Weston Murphy had 16 points, while Connor Belicic stayed hot from 3-point range (five threes) for 15 points. Adam Perry also added 15 for the Cougars, while Marques Oliver had 14 for the Catamounts. Panther Creek will now face Lee County on Friday at 7:30 p.m. for their second straight conference championship.

Sports Editor J. Mike Blake gives his thoughts and predictions on the Tri-Eight basketball tournaments. See if your predictions differ from his!