The Mustangs came to play in the first quarter of the WRAL Game of the Week – at least during the first 7-minutes. Middle Creek held star Yorel Hawkins scoreless until the game was inside one-minute. Most of that was due to the foul trouble Hawkins had, picking up 2 early fouls in the first quarter. But, when Hawkins gets hot, he gets hot.

In less than a minute, Hawkins scored 6-points, putting the first quarter score at 14-8.

It only got worse for the Mustangs in the second-quarter. The lead advanced to 10-points, and Yorel looked like he was going to get even hotter. Adding an additional 5-points to start the quarter, Yorel put Apex in a position to run away with the ball game.

After Coach Kushner called a 30-second timeout for the Mustangs, though, you could feel the momentum shifting in the building. Myles Coston added an additional 7-points in the ball game, including one huge three pointer. Kip Kelley pulled the Mustangs within 2-points with a wide open lay-up under the basket, then Marcus Kitts tied it with 14-seconds left with an easy lay-up.

Apex had more than the score to worry about, though. Hawkins picked up his third personal foul with just 53.6 seconds left in the half after being called for a charge.

With an even halftime score of 28, Middle Creek fans were feeling pretty confident about their chances.

The momentum certainly carried over to the third quarter. Again, the Mustangs started off on a fast start, this time led by Garrius Adams.

Adams put Middle Creek up by two-points on the first possession of the half, then stole the ball at the other end, and Kitts converted to extend the lead to four. Moments later, it was Kip Kelly connecting to Kitts for the big play – the one handed slam. That brought the Creek Crazies to their feet as their Mustangs began to slowly inch away from the Cougars.

The good continued to outweigh the bad for the Mustangs in the third quarter, Tim Plummer was called for charging with 6:03 left, then on the other end Plummer was called for another fould with 5:53 remaining.

Fouls continued to pile up in what was a very inconsistently refereed ball game. Middle Creek’s Marcus Kitts picked up his third personal with 3:53 left, and Scott Bedoe hit both free throws to tie the game at 36.

Seconds later, it was Bedoe again. He laid the ball in with 3:16 remaining to put the Cougars on top by two, and the Cougar Crazies let everyone know about it. Bedoe wasn’t done making plays yet, but the next one he could have done without. Bedoe picked up his third personal foul with 3:03 remaining in the third quarter.

Garrius Adams wrapped up the third quarter, hitting a big three, and the score favored Apex, 48-42.

You could sense it at the start, we were in for a big fourth quarter. Hawkins started it out picking up a big fourth personal foul with 5:13 left, but Middle Creek struggled offensively. The Mustangs didn’t score in the first 3:07 of the fourth quarter. Apex gained a 10-point lead with just 3:55 remaining, but Middle Creek wasn’t done yet.

First is was a big dunk, then Plummer fouled out, Adams hit two free throws, then Kelley hit a trey. All that added up to a 3-point ball game with 1:07 left.

Apex let them back in, but they didn’t let them take the lead. Hawkins went to the free throw line, hit the front end, but missed the second shot. Bedoe was right there to get the put back, and Apex found themselves on top 61-55.

Middle Creek managed to score another two points, but it wasn’t enough. Apex hands Middle Creek their first home loss of the season, 61-57.

This game shakes up the conference standings. Cary and Apex are tied for first place with 8-1 records, Middle Creek is in 3rd with a 7-2 record, and Green Hope is in fourth place with a 5-4 record. Middle Creek will host Cary on Friday, and Apex will host Green Hope.

We'll have interviews with both coaches and pictures up momentarily.