At least for now.

In a conference that has so far seen half-dozen teams own a share of the conference lead, Panther Creek improved to 5-1 in the Tri-Nine with a narrow 68-65 victory over visiting Middle Creek on Thursday.

Middle Creek (5-3, 4-2), Panther Creek (6-2 overall), and Apex (6-2, 5-1) were all tied entering the game. Apex won its game, but having lost a previous meeting to the Catamounts – in last-second fashion on an Isaiah Johnson tip-in – Panther Creek has claim to top honors.

On Thursday, Panther Creek went on a 14-5 run at the end of the game to overtake the Mustangs (4-2).

The Catamounts, who led for most of three quarters, watched their lead slip away late in the third and into the fourth as Middle Creek got red-hot from beyond the 3-point line.

The Mustangs nailed eight 3-pointers, six coming in their second-half run.

“We knew Middle Creek would make a run, but we were surprised we held them off until the third,” said Panther Creek head coach Travis Chapman. “Once they did, we knew we'd have to answer late in the fourth.”

The Mustangs led 60-54 midway through the final period, but then the shots stopped falling and defensive breakdowns and turnovers plagued Middle Creek down the stretch.

Catamount senior Ray Hubbard (10 points) scored on two highlight-reel drives and also sank two clutch free throws late in the contest to put Panther Creek over the top and into first place.

“We just didn't defend the perimeter at the end,” said Middle Creek head coach David Kushner. “Hubbard did a good job breaking down our defense and he finished at the rim. You can't allow dribble penetration with them because they are a very good offensive team.”

Kushner also felt the Mustangs became passive in the fourth and did not attack the Panther Creek trap effectively. Most of all, however, he was disappointed with the defensive intensity Middle Creek showed at the end of the contest.

“One thing we have done well all year is play strong defense,” Kushner said. “Tonight I thought our defensive effort was lacking in the fourth quarter.”

Mustang big men Garrett Leatham and Stephen McAllister dominated offensively in the second half. Leatham scored 14 of his 16 points following intermission and McAllister dropped in all 12 of his points in the final quarter, his last bucket putting Middle Creek in front 60-54 with 4:15 to play.

Catamount junior Javonte Rankin kept his team within striking distance in the fourth, scoring Panther Creek's first 10 points of the period. Rankin finished with a game-high 19 points.

Chapman said that Rankin and classmate Isaiah Johnson (11 points) are both three-year varsity players who the Catamounts have depended upon heavily at the offensive end this season, following the departure of several great athletes from last year's group.

Both teams played in front of spirited crowds, as Middle Creek brought along a vocal cheering section which rivaled the hosts with their high energy level.

In the end, it was the Catamount crowd who good-naturedly urged their cross-county rivals to “travel safely” on the short trek back to Middle Creek.

Both will play in separate holiday tournaments before continuing with conference play in January.

Middle Creek will travel to Eastern Guilford High School for theirs, while Panther Creek will participate in the Tri-Nine Challenge, the boys bracket of which is hosted by Green Hope.

They will meet again at Middle Creek on Feb. 5, with no one able to accurately forecast how the conference standings will look by then.

“Tonight we got to the finish line a little faster than they did,” Chapman said. “It's an interesting conference this year, and no one team can be completely confident in first place."