RALEIGH – Here’s our rapid reaction after Ravenscroft defeated Middle Creek 59-57 Wednesday night in a nonconference game:

HOW THE GAME WAS WON

Ravenscroft surrendered its lead late in the fourth quarter only to have guard Anton Gill (pictuted left) make a fadeaway three-pointer at the buzzer to win the game. Madison Jones was the difference in the final play as he was able penetrate into the lane to bring Gill’s defender over to cover him. That allowed Gill to be wide open in the corner to make his three-point basket just before the buzzer sounded.

TURNING POINT

This is a tough one to call, but Middle Creek gave Ravenscroft a chance to win the game by going to quickly on its final possession. The Mustangs were trailing by one with less than a minute left and could have held the ball for the final shot. Instead guard Donta Davis was fouled by going to the basket with 17 seconds left. Although Davis made both free throws to give the Mustangs the lead, it also allowed Gill to have time to make his game-winning shot.

STAT OF THE GAME

Gill is a very good shooter from behind the ach as he averages 53 percent from three before tonight’s game. Gill had plenty of chances to make three-pointers, but his one at the buzzer was his only three-pointer of the game.

Final: Ravenscroft 57, Middle Creek 52

Ravenscroft did just enough to win this championship, their first ever at the Glaxo. Anton Gill was named the tournament’s MVP after a 16-point performance that also included guarding Middle Creek’s best scorer in guard Leon Hargrove. The Ravens didn’t make a lot of free throws late in this game, which allowed it to be close, but their defense remained solid in the final seconds to get a steal with five second to put the game out of reach.

Give credit to Middle Creek. They did a nice job after trailing by 18 points in the third quarter. The Mustangs were led by Hargrove’s 21 points.

Postgame quotes from Ravenscroft:

Coach Kevin Billerman on the Ravens’ defense:

GARNER -- Garner rallied from a 13-point deficit, its largest deficit of the season, to defeat rival Middle Creek 35-20 in the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4-AA football playoffs.

The Trojans (11-2) will play at Wake Forest-Rolesville (12-1) Friday in the third round of the playoffs.

Running around and screaming was the only reaction for the Middle Creek Mustangs. A hero didn’t need to be identified amid their celebration. For coach Sean Crocker, he didn’t need to know who made the game-winning tackle. All that mattered to him was what the final score Friday night in the first round of the 4-AA playoffs.

Middle Creek 41, Leesville Road 40

FUQUAY-VARINA -- The Fuquay-Varina home crowd was growing nervous. A 23-point third-quarter lead over rival Middle Creek was down to five midway through the fourth — and the Mustangs were in the red zone.

But the Bengals forced their fourth turnover of the game at the most opportune time. Linebacker Justin Vaughan stepped in front of a Garrett Leatham throw to end the Mustangs' final trip inside the 20. Fuquay held on for the 26-21 win, giving them the possibility of sharing the Tri-Nine Conference title.

APEX – Middle Creek tradition calls for the the Mustangs to emerge from a grandstand tunnel amid smoke and music while the players make their way to the field.

The anticipated shootout between Panther Creek and Middle Creek appeared to going up in smoke with the plume until Middle Creek quarterback Garrett Leatham connected on three fourth-quarter touchdown passes en route to a 42-21 upset win Friday on the Mustangs' field.

CARY - One of the biggest reasons for the best start to a Cary football season in years has been the Imps' knack for scoring in ways other than its offense. The Imps got even more creative on Friday in a 19-10 Tri-Nine Conference victory over Middle Creek.

A defensive touchdown -- Cary's fourth of the year -- and a score on a broken play were the difference for the Imps, who were out-gained in yardage 328-199 by the Mustangs.

APEX - For the third straight year, the Middle Creek-Lee County football game was decided by three or fewer points.

Also for the third straight year, Middle Creek (6-1, 4-0) came away the victor in this Tri-Nine Conference match-up, winning 21-20.

Athens Drive's home winning streak of 11 games was snapped Friday night as Middle Creek quarterback Garrett Leatham threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns to lead his Mustangs to a 28-16 road victory.

It was the first conference loss for Athens, dropping them to 4-2 on the year and 1-1 in the Tri-Nine Conference. Middle Creek moved to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play.

Middle Creek senior Garrett Leatham passed for 270 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Mustangs past Green Hope 37-0 in a Tri-Nine conference matchup on Friday.

The Middle Creek defense limited the Falcons to just 158 total yards. The Mustangs, ranked eighth in the N&O polls, improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the conference. The Falcons (0-5, 0-2) have now lost 32 consecutive games.