By TYLER HENRY
Little Apple Post contributor
The Rock Creek and Abilene boys' basketball teams will collide in this year's sub-state semifinals as the two meet in St. George for a rematch of an early December tilt.
The Mustangs come into this contest at 12-8 overall having won three of their last four while the Cowboys enter at 11-9.
These two met back in the second game of the regular season in what would go down as a resounding 60-33 win for the then 4th-ranked Cowboys, but Abilene is well aware that the team they face tonight is nothing like the one they got before Christmas.
"Rock Creek has improved drastically since our first game in December," Cowboy head coach Erik Graefe said. "They are disciplined, smart, and have several players who can score. It’s going to be a battle."
Meanwhile, the Mustangs will be in search of a little revenge, not only for that early December loss, but for a 64-57 overtime falter that cost them a trip to the state tournament last year.
"I hope our team plays with full effort for a full game tonight," Rock Creek head coach Justin Smith said. "If we do we will have an opportunity to be successful."
On the other side of the bracket, the 1-seed in Hugoton (18-2) will host Winfield (3-17) with the winners of these two games squaring off on Friday for a ticket to state.
Tip-off between the Mustangs and Cowboys is scheduled for 7:00 in St. George at Rock Creek High School.
For continuing coverage of Rock Creek hoops at sub-state, stay tuned to the Little Apple Post.