The Middle Creek boys’ basketball team wrapped up the Tri-Eight Conference regular-season championship after grinding out a six-point win at Athens Drive on Feb. 12 and a five-point win at Panther Creek on Friday.

Now the Mustangs (22-1, 13-1) turn their attention toward the next item on their season-long to-do list: the Tri-Eight tournament, which began Tuesday and concludes Friday at Lee County. If the regular season is any indication, the Mustangs will be one of the teams challenging for the tournament title.

Middle Creek went 13-1 and was four games ahead of Panther Creek in the Tri-Eight standings. The Mustangs won big — 39- and 33-point wins in back-to-back outings over Fuquay-Varina and Lee County — and small — five games decided by eight points or fewer.

Their one loss, a 62-53 defeat to Panther Creek, they avenged Friday. So the Mustangs feel confident they have a deep postseason run in them. After the conference tournament, then it’s on to the sectional, regional and championship portions of the NCHSAA 4-A tournament, which begins Feb. 26.

“We’ve been talking about that since we lost to Riverside in the sectional finals [last year],” said Middle Creek coach David Kushner. “That’s been motivation throughout the offseason. But each year is so different. You never know the kind of draw that you’re going to get. That’s really what it comes down to. We feel very good about the way we’ve played since we lost that game. Everybody is up in practice. Everybody is so supportive of their teammates. And that’s what you see from championship teams.”

The Mustangs don’t expect to simply roll over anyone they step on the floor with come tournament time, and they know they’re going to get everyone’s best shot. But the fact that they are not undefeated might have made that target on their back just a little bit smaller.

And Kushner is just fine with that.

“When we lost, if it helps us, then I’m glad we lost,” Kushner said. “Ever since then, it’s motivated them every single day. They know what it feels like, and they don’t want to have that feeling again.”

The Mustangs have been led all year by their three-headed monster of Nelson Kirksey (15.1 ppg), Kip Kelley (12.4 ppg) and Garrius Adams (17.9 ppg), but Friday’s win over Panther Creek showed the team’s balance and unselfishness.

While Earnest Ross (31 points) was a one-man wrecking crew for the Catamounts, Middle Creek relied on a more balanced, multi-pronged deconstruction. The teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 45-45. Middle Creek steadily pulled away for the 68-63 by shooting 8-of-10 from the floor and 6-for-9 at the foul line. Five different players scored in the quarter. Center Brian Proulx scored eight of his 13 points during the final eight minutes.

“As long as people keep stepping up and buckets are being made, we don’t care about offense,” said Kirksey, who scored 19 points Friday. “It’s all defense.”

Despite the loss, Panther Creek left the gym feeling pretty good about themselves, too. For three quarters, they were every bit Middle Creek’s equal, but the Mustangs’ experience and savvy in the fourth quarter won out.

“We believe that Middle Creek is so talented and so well coached, they have a legitimate chance to play six games in the near future,” Panther Creek coach L.J. Hepp said. “That said, we hung with them punch for punch. There’s no doubt, we feel if we come to play and do the things we’re capable of, we can play with anybody. Playing with Middle Creek gives us that confidence.”

But before Middle Creek goes looking too far down the road, they’ll have to get through the Tri-Eight tournament, which they won for the first time last year. Standing in their way of a second tournament title could very well be the Catamounts. The potential for a third meeting between the two on a neutral floor is enticing for both sides.

“To play them on a neutral court, I think everybody would want to see that game,” Kushner said. “It’d be great for a third time.”