The Cougars, whose season included a seven-game losing streak in December, captured their third consecutive road-playoff victory Friday night, topping Greater Neuse River 4-A Conference champion Clayton 60-55 in a sectional championship.

The victory was also Apex's second in as many nights over a conference champion. The Cougars beat Cap Seven winner Millbrook 50-49 on Thursday.

"It's been a tremendous two nights for us," Apex coach David Neal said. "I don't think anybody gave us a chance to get to Greenville. We were kind of a sleeper team."

The Cougars (17-12) will join fellow Tri-Eight Conference member Middle Creek in Wednesday night's regional semifinals at Minges Coliseum in Greenville.

Defensive play was the key Friday night, as it has been all week for Apex, who tied for second in the Tri-Eight Conference but entered the playoffs as a No. 3 seed. The Cougars allowed 48.3 points a game in their playoff games.

Clayton, which had won 15 straight entering Friday's game, was limited to 55 points after averaging 75 in its first two playoff games.

The Comets (27-3) were forced to work hard for their shots, many of which didn't find the mark. Clayton shot 39 percent (20-for-51) on the night.

"I thought Tim Plummer did an outstanding job on (Clint Mixon) in particular," Neal said. "It's hard to learn a lot about an opponent in a day but we knew that 12 had put up some big numbers this week. Still, Clayton's other guys stepped up and made some plays."

Plummer got the lead back for good for Apex with a 3-pointer late in the third quarter, at 39-36. It was the last of the 13 lead changes during the night. He led the Cougars in scoring, as well, with 19 points. Kyle Waters pitched in 12 points for Apex, while DeArius White had 10.

Mixon was able to manage a team-high 17 points despite Plummer's great effort.

Clayton got back within 52-48 on a Mixon 3-pointer with 3:26 to play, but the Comets went cold from the field thereafter, missing their next six field-goal attempts. Apex hit just enough (10-of-20) free throws in the final final to maintain a two-possession lead.

"We didn't play our best basketball tonight, but we still fought hard," Comets coach Denny Medlin said. "Apex moved the ball well and made it hard for us to force turnovers with our traps."

ALSO FRIDAY

EAST CHAPEL HILL FALLS: Fayetteville Terry Sanford held off East Chapel Hill for a 58-43 4-A east sectional victory.

The Bulldogs (26-3) led by eight at halftime but saw their lead shrink to one (24-23) in the third quarter.

East Chapel Hill (20-9), however, couldn't pull ahead and was forced to foul at the end.

"They played a sagging man-to-man defense and we were able to get some shots," Wildcats coach Ray Hartsfield said. "We just didn't do a good job of finishing tonight. We had opportunities but just didn't take advantage of them."

Fayetteville Britt also advanced to Greenville in 4-A east play, topping Wilmington Hoggard, 52-49. Britt (26-4) was the Mideastern Conference champion.

DUDLEY BOUNCES SOUTHERN LEE: Longtime 3-A powerhouse Greensboro Dudley eliminated Cape Fear Valley 3-A Conference champion Southern Lee from an eastern sectional. The Panthers (27-2) earned a 80-67 decision.

The Cavaliers finished at 26-4.

NORTHWOOD FALLS TO JAGUARS: Farmville Central took a 70-56 win against Pittsboro Northwood in a 2-A east sectional final. Northwood (20-6) was looking for its third straight road playoff win.

ALBEMARLE TOPS JORDAN-MATTHEWS: Siler City Jordan-Matthews had its season come to an end in a 65-61 loss to Albemarle in the 1-A Western playoffs.

Jordan-Matthews finished 20-8.