March 11, 2008

Add another branch to the successful Carolina coaching tree. Former walk-on David Neal has the Apex Cougars on the verge of the 4-A state basketball title.

Neal, who scored nine points over his two-year (1995 and 1996) UNC career, has engineered a remarkable turnaround at Apex this year. The school, which has never been known as a basketball powerhouse, will face East Mecklenburg Saturday night at Reynolds Coliseum for the state championship.

The game sets up a winner-take-all battle in the Carolina baseball locker room. Although it's not a traditional power on the hardwood, Apex has been fertile recruiting territory for the Diamond Heels (including current baseball players Tim Federowicz and Michael Knox) and is also known as one of the best high schools in the state for producing future internet columnists and monthly publication editors.

The East Meck Eagles, meanwhile, claim head baseball coach Mike Fox as an alum, along with Steeler kicker Jeff Reed. It was also cited in a recent poll as the school most likely to produce PR professionals among the member institutions of the NCHSAA's Southwestern Conference.

Game time at Reynolds is 7:30. Check all your favorite local media outlets for a guest list of the celebrity alums scheduled to attend.