One team's third-time charm proved another's disappointment on Tuesday.

Cardinal Gibbons ended a two-year run as runner-up to win the  23rd NCHSAA 2-A Championship in Southern Pines, while up the road in Pinehurst, Green Hope was denied its bid for a third straight 4-A title.
 
Led by Ryan Lavelle, Gibbons reversed last year’s runner-up finish to Ledford. Lavelle closed with a back nine 33 to claim medalist honors with a 36-hole 2-under 140 total at Longleaf Golf and Country Club.

"It was never about winning individually," said Lavelle, a senior. "It was about putting up the best score to help our team win. “It'’s more fun to share this victory with five guys.

"“I told myself, '‘If I can hang in there, I can make some good shots and get it back together.'’ After those first four or five holes, I turned it on.”"

Thanks to Lavelle, Gibbons, which held a three-shot lead over Ledford and West Henderson entering Tuesday’s final round, finished at 597, one shot in front of Ledford. West Henderson was back in third at 618.

"On a personal note, it’'s made my decade. ... It might be my life,"” Cardinal Gibbons coach Robert Guzzo said. "They say the third time’ is the charm. We finally pushed through here — by one shot."”

Lavelle had a bit more of a cushion to work with than his team, and finished with a four-stroke win over runner-up Jay Brown of Mayodan Dalton McMichael. South Iredell’s Clay Brown was third at 147, and Ledford teammates Jeff Boyan and Curtis Brotherton tied for fourth at 148.

At Pinehurst No. 6, Jack Fields of nearby Southern Pines Pinecrest fired a blistering 4-under 67 to win medalist honors in the 72nd 4-A Championship.

Fields’ heroics helped Pinecrest to the team championship, rallying from third place on Day 1 and spoiling Green Hope’s bid for a three-peat. Pinecrest finished with a two-day 586 score, six shots ahead of Charlotte Providence and 10 strokes better than Green Hope.

Fields finished with a 4-under 138 total, four shots ahead of Charlotte Providence’s Nik Peterson. Jonathan Miles of Wilmington Hoggard was third, six shots off the pace. First-round leader Michael Marshburn of Green Hope, who opened with a 70, finished fifth at 147.

In the 3-A Championship at Fox Fire Resort and Country Club’s East Course, freshman Robert Register of Burlington Williams claimed medalist honors with a 1-over 145 total.

Meanwhile Wilson Fike won the team title with a 609 score, six shots ahead of first-round leader Forestview. Burlington Williams was third at 617 and Southeast Guilford placed fourth at 619.

And East Surry, led by two-time medalist John Welden, won its fourth straight 1-A Championship, overcoming a five-shot deficit to post a second shot when over Topsail.

Welden posted a even-par 144 total around of Keith Hills Country Club’s II Course, finishing six shots ahead of the field.