The result was just one win and a fifth-place finish, as the Mustangs scored fewer points in each tournament game in succession.

But out of the tournament came Middle Creek's true identity - a defense-first team that could keep the scores close, even against St. Raymond's (Bronx, N.Y.) and local power Word of God.

"That's why we're in this tournament - to play against teams that are going to help us contend for a league title," said Middle Creek coach David Kushner.

"I think that's what this week did. At times we were really good, at times we struggled. But it's learning how to get through those struggles that will make us a much better team by the end of the year."

Middle Creek lost its opening-round game 66-55 to St. Raymond's, the eventual runner-up in the bracket, before facing Word of God in an elimination game. There are no seventh-place games in the HighSchoolOT.com Holiday Invitational, so losers of the first two games are out.

The Mustangs earned a 47-42 win against the Holy Rams before squaring off against Houston's Strake Jesuit and Duke recruit Rasheed Sulaimon.

Sulaimon had 21 points in the 54-39 win, but Middle Creek's 28 percent shooting from the field (0-for-15 on 3-pointers) had an even larger effect on the outcome.

"We didn't play terrible, but we didn't hit a shot," Kushner said. "We're not a great shooting team, but we're a heck of a lot better than we were today."

Middle Creek plays at Apex Friday in a game that could decide first place in the Tri-Nine Conference.

Before the team's fifth-place game against Strake, Middle Creek senior Rashawn King was given a special announcement for his fight with leukemia.

Strake, along with everyone in the stands at Broughton High School, gave King a standing ovation.

King, who still has chemotherapy as his leukemia goes into remission, will find out Jan. 15 if he is the winner of Parade magazine's Rudy award, given to a high school athlete who inspires others. King is one of 12 national finalists.