APEX — While the shot clock virtually eliminated Dean Smith’s fabled four corners offense from the college game, Middle Creek coach Wes Petty showed Friday it still lives on the shot-clock free high school level.

Looking for a way to slow down surging Athens Drive Friday, Petty pulled the air out of the ball for as long as he could. In the end, Petty’s Mustangs could not replicate the success Smith found with the slow-down approach.

The Jaguars picked up the defensive pressure, started turning the Mustangs over and eventually ran away with a 46-28 win.

“That slow-down pace was definitely a change for us,” said Athens guard Tyonna Willingham, who had 10 points and four steals. “We like to push things, get fast-break points, transition points. They did a good job of studying our game to make us slow down to their game. After a while, we got the hang of it and just learned how to adjust. I think we did a really good job adjusting.”

The plodding pace worked in the Mustangs’ favor in the first quarter, after which they led 4-2. The Jags shot 1-for-12 from the floor in the opening eight minutes, while Middle Creek attempted only four field goals. The Mustangs had two separate possessions that lasted more than 60 seconds without a shot.

“We wanted to play a little different game and make them play something a little different than they’re used to,” Petty said. “I thought we did a good job with that. As the game went on, they made some adjustments.”

At the start of the second quarter, Athens started pressuring Middle Creek’s guards once they crossed the mid-court line. The pressure led to turnovers on the Mustangs’ first six possessions of the quarter and held them scoreless until 1:43 remained in the half.

Athens outscored Middle Creek 14-3 in the second quarter, which was capped by Chareya Smith’s 3-pointer at the buzzer to put the Jaguars ahead 16-7 at the half.

Athens steadily pulled away in the second half, as it continued to thrive in transition and on the boards.

Athens sophomore center Markeisha Gatling hauled in 13 rebounds, including nine offensive. Of her 10 points, eight of them were on on putbacks.

“I love having her on the team,” Willingham said. “It’s always good to see a girl that big down low for us. She’s going to be a great player as she ages.”

Athens opened up a 10-point lead, 31-21, early in the fourth after a Willingham layup, and the lead remained in double figures the rest of the way.

Smith scored a game-high 14 points and had seven rebounds and two steals for Athens. Middle Creek finished the game with 26 turnovers and shot 28 percent from the floor and 38 percent at the line. Sarah Cox scored a team-high nine points, and Emily Booker had seven.

“I was happy with a lot of things we did tonight,” Petty said. “I thought we came out and executed our game plan. I thought we played three solid quarters of basketball, and then I think we got a little bit tired, and Athens picked it up and they attacked.

“And they’ve got some big kids, and those big kids hurt us on the boards. But I’m happy with my kids. We did what we wanted to do. We just had some free throws that didn’t fall and some shots and missed opportunities and some key turnovers at key times.”

The win — Athens’ fifth straight — put the Jaguars two games clear of Middle Creek in the Tri-Eight standings and sets up a pivotal game this Friday against Apex. Apex is 5-1 in league play and in second place. The Cougars have won nine straight games since its first meeting with Athens, when the Jaguars drubbed them 62-31 on Dec. 18.

Considering the Jaguars won their first six conference games by an average score of 36.8 points per game, the Tri-Eight title might very well be decided this week.

Not that Danehower and his players are looking at it that way.

“We’ve played the two toughest teams on the road and won,” Danehower said. “That’s not to say everybody else is easy on the road, but it’s good to be undefeated. I tell the kids we’re taking it one game at a time; there are no guarantees. Because I guarantee you Apex is going to be ready to play [Friday].”