One thing sports reporters always seem to do is look back at history. Now, when I was in high school, I loved history. It was my favorite subject.

The same goes for basketball. I love basketball history.

The interesting little tid-bits of information that have absolutely no impact on the game whatsoever... They never cease to amaze me. I constantly look for little things that can "show" a favorite in a big match up, but let's be honest - these facts really don't matter when it comes down to it.

That aside, I have done some digging on the Apex vs. East Mecklenburg game for Saturday...

• This is not the first time Apex has gone to the State Championship game, but they are 0-1 when playing for the big prize. The Cougars went to the state title game in 1938 when they lost to Pilot Mountain in Chapel Hill, 30-23.
• Cary is the only Tri-Eight team to ever win a state championship game. The Imps won the title in 1939, 1954, and 1995.
• As far as records go back (1960), no team, in any classification, has won the state championship with more than 9 losses. Apex has 11.
• Only two 4-A teams have ever won the state championship after recording 19-wins prior to the game. The most recent was Hunter Huss in 1985.

So, does this mean anything for Apex? Probably not, but it's something for fans to talk about (and for me to use when writing my articles) in this long week leading up to the big game.

Of all of the bits of information I provided above, I was alive for one of them - the 1995 Cary State Championship. I don't remember it, though. Why? Mostly because I was 5-years-old. Still, it's interesting.

Just remember, Apex has defied history  already. Not too many teams with 14-11 records make it this far.