Derek Sweet

Derek Sweet is a 2013 graduate of Apex High School and he  will forever be known in Apex Athletics lore as being on the scoring end of one of the most iconic plays, not just in Apex Lacrosse history, but in school history. With seven seconds remaining in a tied State Championship game, Apex put the game on the shoulders of Derek Sweet and Luke Sieber. The dynamic duo did not disappoint. Luke drew the double team from the Lake Norman defense and passed to Derek on the doorstep for the classic “dip and dunk” finish. With that goal, Apex captured its second Men’s Lacrosse State Championship (in the most dramatic fashion) with one second remaining. The play capped a comeback that saw Apex down by five goals late in the third quarter and set off a wild celebration at Wake Med Park.

That memorable play also capped a fantastic career for Derek that saw him play in three state final fours and two state championship games. The victory over Lake Norman secured the state championship that Derek missed out on in the championship loss to Myers Park in 2010. Derek put up incredible numbers in his career and finished as an All-American and the all-time leading scorer in Apex Lacrosse history. Below is a summary of some of Derek’s individual accomplishments, but he will be the first to tell you that capping his career with the state championship was the most memorable and meaningful accomplishment for him. The fact that in that final moment of his career he was once again linked to his childhood friend and teammate, Luke Sieber, completed what was a storybook career and cemented his legacy as one of the best to ever play Lacrosse at Apex High School. Derek went on to play Division I Lacrosse at Robert Morris University before transferring to East Carolina.

Derek by the numbers:

  • State Champion 2013

  • State Runner Up 2010

  • Played in three State Final Fours

  • All American 2013   

  • First Team All State 2013

  • Team Captain 2013

  • All Conference 2012, 2013

  • Apex High School all-time leading scorer- 291 points

  • Apex High School all-time leader in assists- 155   

  • Apex High School Fourth all time in goals scored- 136