We've talked a lot about the Middle Creek Mustangs this season, but it hasn't been for no reason.

The Mustangs have only lost to one team, however they lost to that team twice. The Panther Creek Catamounts, who lost at Terry Sanford on Thursday, knocked off Middle Creek on the road and on a neutral court in the conference championship game.

Middle Creek has put that behind them, and now they're taking it game-by-game through the state tournament, to what they hope will result in a state championship.

You'd think when you win your conference you'd get a good draw. Not so.

If Middle Creek wants to get to the Eastern Regionals in Greenville next week, they're going to have to knock off the defending state champions in New Hanover, and they have Wake Forest commit Ty Walker.

So, can Middle Creek do it? Absolutely.

The Mustangs will have the home court advantage on Friday night when New Hanover makes the 129 mile trip to Middle Creek, and as we have discussed before, that is an extraordinary home court advantage.

If Middle Creek is going to win, they're going to have to do three things:

1. Play defense. We've talked about Middle Creek's defense in our web chats and how that is the one thing they need the most improvement on. Let me emphasize that their defense is not bad. You don't win 26 games in a season with a lousy defense, and you don't win 26 games in a season by accident. The Mustangs don't have a big, dominant inside guy like Walker, but they do have the athletes to prevent the entry pass, and to double-down on Walker when he does get the ball. Middle Creek is going to have to play like Duke does against bigger opponents, and that is where the defense comes into play. Three things: Ball pressure, passing lanes, and help-side.
2. Score. This isn't a problem usually for the Mustangs. After all, they have the school's all-time three point leader on this roster in Kip Kelley. Kelley is going to have to work to get open on Friday night, and they're going to have to get production from Nelson Kirksey, Garrius Adams, Brian Proulx, Tom Tanklewicz, and the bench. If they can force turnovers in the open court, that will also translate into easy transition buckets.
3. Play smart. Middle Creek cannot crack under pressure. They have to take care of the ball, they have to play smart on defense, and they have to take good shots.

This has the potential to be the game of the playoffs! I expect that the Creek Crazies will be out in force on Friday night, and the fire marshal may want to pay a visit around 7:00.

WRAL.com will have the Middle Creek vs. New Hanover game covered like no one else. Look for in-depth coverage, post game interviews, and more right here on Friday night!