Panther Creek is a very nice school, quality AD in LJ Hepp, and high enrollment. Not sure why football can't be successful on a consistent basis. Boy's basketball coach is former Clemson player Shawan Robinson, who is quality coach. All in all, a good place to be and nice area to live in.
Apex is currently inhabiting a new school facility for the next two years, while the previous Apex HS gets a complete make over of facilities, both academic and athletic. In a nice area as well. Once the total makeover is complete, the new HS that will open in 2019 I believe will be Oak Level High School. They have not had many winnings records in the past 13 years, basketball is usually very strong, as are the Olympic sports.
Cary is somewhat land locked if memory serves me correct. Best records were in 04,05 and 10,11. Seem to lack consistency, not sure on many details about Cary. Feel free to message me if you have any specific questions, and I will try my best to answer them as I am pretty familiar with the greater Raleigh area as a whole.