RALEIGH - A week of mounting losses for Middle Creek's boys basketball team – on and off the floor – finally came to an end with a win that wasn't pretty. But at least it stopped a sudden two-game losing streak.

First, Khamari Bobbitt, the Mustangs' initial big man off the bench, suffered a concussion on Monday in practice. That meant he was out for all three games this week – Green Hope Tuesday, Ravenscroft Wednesday and Athens Drive Friday.

Then, Rashawn King, the team leader, suffered a chipped bone in his foot in the first quarter of the Green Hope loss. The original diagnosis was he is out for the year, although he said his doctor told him Thursday there is a chance he can return.

Finally, after losses to Green Hope and Ravenscroft, Middle Creek traveled to Athens Drive Friday without a third player. Nate Otto, a key backup, came down with strep throat and was home with a 103-degree temperature.

Somehow, Middle Creek, despite being out of sync on offense all night, managed to beat Athens Drive 42-37 Friday at the Jaguars' gym.

"I just told the team with everything we've been through this week, a lesser group of guys would have quit," Middle Creek coach David Kushner said. "Instead they pulled together and we beat a very good Athens Drive team.

"You have to understand we were without a starter and two key reserves. Rahsawn is the heart and soul of this team, and he's been playing really well since Christmas – the best he's ever played. He's been averaging almost a double-double. He had a a 14-and-10 game and an 18-and-9 game.”

Middle Creek and Athens Drive met in a Tri-Nine Conference battle for second place that includes Green Hope. The Mustangs improved to 16-7 overall and 11-4 in the Tri-Nine, while Athens Drive dropped to 10-10 and 9-5.

Middle Creek's offense has been so out of sync, the Cougars scored only 38 points in the loss to Green Hope and trailed 25-0 before scoring in the 60-28 loss to Ravenscroft.

Once gain the Mustangs started slowly at Athens Drive with only two points in the game's first 5:35.

But Middle Creek was still within striking range since Athens Drive's offense also struggled. The Jaguars led only 12-7 after the first period and scored only three points in the second quarter to trail Middle Creek 21-15 at halftime.

Offensive rebounding kept Athens Drive in the game as the Jaguars scored 20 of their 37 points for the night on second- or third-chance baskets.

Mike Estes, a 6-foot-6 senior, was Athens Drive's only player in double figures with 18 points. He scored 12 of his total on offensive rebound buckets, including at least one in each quarter.

Middle Creek guard Marvin Wilson scored 11 points and Quinton Ray added 10 off the bench.

"We missed Rashawn and Khamari inside and No. 32 (Estes) had a great game," Wilson said. "We have to do a better job boxing out, but we're going to get Khamari back."

Middle Creek, though, managed one fourth-quarter stretch when the Mustangs looked like their old selves with a 10-2 run to take a 38-31 lead with 1:23 to play. The spurt was sparked by two turnovers converted into breakaway layups by Wilson, with one on a nifty over-the-shoulder assist from Ray.

"Everything starts on defense," Wilson said. "We got a couple of steals, we got running and we got a couple of easy buckets. That helped us win the game."

Now the Mustangs will wait to hear if King's updated diagnosis results in him returning this season. The Mustangs, after all, are accustomed King making comebacks.

He missed his junior year after being diagnosed with leukemia in June 2010 before he gained a clean bill a health to return for his football and basketball seasons as a senior.

"We've going to have to pick it up," Wilson said. "If we have to, we'll play for Ray just like we did last year."