Nothing wrong with second place

When you play as well as you've been playing for most of the season and still lose, there's nothing to do but congratulate the victor.

That's what Fike boys golf head coach Jim Boykin Jr. and his Golden Demons did Tuesday after finishing second, six strokes behind Hickory in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A championship at Keith Hills Country Club in Buies Creek.

The Demons did their best to repeat as state champs, posting a final score of 594 — 15 strokes better than they did a year ago. But Hickory simply saved its best for the last round of the year. The Red Tornadoes shot a sizzling 290 Tuesday and a 588 for the 36-hole tournament.

Like a broken drum, you can't beat that. Hickory's top four scores posted a 6-under, with two eagles and two birdies among their six players, on the No. 18 hole.

I said here last week that if Fike continued its steady play, it would repeat as state champion. I was wrong but that takes nothing away from the Demons' season. Congratulations to those guys for another wonderful season and watch out for them again next year!