Get your game face on, because this is your WRAL Game of the Week gameday preview.

This week we're featuring the match-up between the Apex Cougars and the Middle Creek Mustangs. Both teams are part of a three-way tie with Cary for first place in the Tri-8 Conference. All three teams post 7-1 conference records. Both Apex and Middle Creek have 12-6 overall records.

This will be the third meeting between the two schools this season. Back on December 15th, the Mustangs traveled to Apex and beat the Cougars 61-49. But in the Glaxo Holiday Invitational, it was the Cougars coming away with the victory, 67-56.

These two teams are very evenly matched, and are conference rivals. Middle Creek averages 60 points per game, Apex averages 61. Middle Creek allows 54 points per game, Apex also allows 54 points per game. We'll see how it goes.

When most people think of these two teams, there is one stand out player on both squads. For Apex, it's Yorel Hawkins - for Middle Creek, Marcus Kitts. The key to this game for both teams will be to spread the ball around. Yorel is going to score his points. In fact, his career high was against Middle Creek in the Glaxo where he scored 39-points. Middle Creek has to limit the number two guys like, Tim Plummer, Andrew Fiedler, and Scott Bedoe. Middle Creek may look to run a box and one or diamond and one defense, that way they can put the most athletic defender on Yorel while setting up in a zone against everyone else. If Plummer, or Fielder, or Bedoe were to get hot, look for Middle Creek to switch to a Triangle and two.

On offense, you're going to see Middle Creek go to their two go-to scorers. Kitts hasn't had great games against Apex this season, but Garrius Adams sure has. In the first meeting, Adams had 20 points, but followed up with a 25-point performance in the Glaxo. Kip Kelley will be a key to Middle Creek's victory as well. Kelley needs to use his speed advantage to get past defenders, penetrate, and kick back out. Kelley is also key for the Mustangs on defense, and he will likely go up against Forrest Moog, the point guard for Apex.

Now I give my prediction each week for the Game of the Week winner, and this week has been the toughest yet. I've been looking for one stat that that separates one team from the other, and I just can't find it. So, on that note, because the Creek Crazies are some of the loudest fans in the area, I'm going to have to go with the Middle Creek Mustangs as tonights victors.

Make sure you come back here to WRAL.com for postgame coverage. I'll be at the game tonight, and I hope to see you there. It's gonna be good. Remember, stay with WRAL.com for prep sports coverage you can  count on.