APEX — After a 1-5 start against a tough nonconference schedule, things were looking bleak for the Apex girls’ basketball team. But in one of the dark moments of their early-season slide, things came together for the Cougars.

Down 18 in the third quarter at Broughton on Dec. 14, the Cougars rallied and won 59-56. They have since won five in a row and six of seven, including three straight to claim the Clayton Holiday Invitational championship and a 71-34 lambasting of Green Hope Friday in their return to Tri-Eight play.

“It’s kind of weird,” said Apex coach Scott Campbell. “We’re 1-5, [Broughton] hadn’t lost and we’re down 18 in the third quarter. Given all that, it’s a real easy game to fold and get ready for the next one. And we came back and won. Even though we turned around and lost two days later, you could see the Broughton game … really got us going in the right direction.”

Coming back against Broughton got the Cougars going, and winning the tournament in Clayton offered a glimpse at what they were capble of. Apex senior guard Charli Leto said it was the “biggest confidence boost of the season.”

Apex won all three of its games in Clayton by double digits, including a 13-point semifinal win over Leesville Road that avenged two earlier losses to the Pride.

“It felt good,” said senior guard Kim Durham, who was the tournament MVP. “And it made us a lot more confident.”

On Friday, the Cougars ran roughshod over visiting Green Hope to improve to 2-1 in conference play. Apex led the entire game and shot 58 percent from the floor. Sam Elchook’s 3-pointer with 3:20 to play in the second quarter pushed the Apex lead to 24-12, and the Cougars led by dougle digits the remainder of the game.

Durham scored a game-high 17 points and Leto chipped in 11. The duo also made 6-of-6 3-point attempts, and Elchook hit 2-of-2.

“It’s very hard to cover all of their 3-point shooters,” said Green Hope coach Barbara Smith. “You never know which one is going to throw it up. It’s very difficult. It’s a very good team all around.”