Warren Central High School has announced its 2019 Athletic Hall of Fame Class.

This year’s class will be recognized Jan. 4 between the girls’ and boys’ home basketball doubleheader against Warren East. The official induction ceremony will be at 2 p.m. Jan. 5 in the Leonard McCoy Auditorium at WCHS. All family and friends of the inductees as well as all Warren Central fans and supporters are invited.

The 2019 inductees are:

• Estill “Eck” Branham

Warren County High School Coach, 1956-1968

Branham was a three-sport star at Western Kentucky in the 1930s. He played basketball, baseball and was the quarterback for the football team. After many stints as a high school coach throughout the state, Branham came to Warren County High School in 1956. He coached baseball from 1957-1968, football from 1961-1968 and coached track. His track teams won a regional title and he advanced one baseball team to the regional finals.

Branham died in 2004 and will be represented by his family.

• Nick Britt

Basketball, 2003-2007

Britt is the sixth-leading scorer in Warren Central boys’ basketball history with 1,550 points. He played in four Sweet 16 KHSAA basketball tournaments and was a member of the 2004 state champions and 2005 state runner-up teams. Britt was voted All-Region 4 first team in 2006 and second team in 2005 and 2007.

Britt was also a three-time All-District 14 selection. Britt died in 2018 and will be represented by his family.

• J.J. Jewell

Football and Basketball, 1986-1990

Jewell starred in football and basketball for the Dragons. His senior year, he led the football team to the state championship game while amassing 1,341 passing yards and 26 touchdowns, a single-season record that still stands at Warren Central.

Jewell went on to play football for both Middle Tennessee State and Western Kentucky. He was also a member of the 1987 boys’ basketball Region 4 championship team. His name is still honored annually as an award is given to a senior football player who displays great leadership and character. Jewell died in 2001 and will be represented by his family.

• Aaron Richmond

Basketball and Softball, 2000-2004

Richmond finished her basketball career as the fifth-leading scorer in Lady Dragon history with 1,601 points. She is also the leader in career 3-pointers with 125. In 2004, she was voted the Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention, All-Region 4 first team and All-District 14 first team. She led the 2003-04 Lady Dragons to the District 14 championship.

Richmond was also a standout in softball, being named to the 2004 all-district and all-region softball teams. Richmond continued her education and basketball career by signing with the University of Toledo and later transferring and graduating from Lee University.

• Ricky Wood

Head Football Coach, 1999-2003, Track Coach

Wood recorded a 41-20 record, a .672 winning percentage that ranks third among all Warren Central football coaches. He led the Dragons to a region title in 2003 and won three district championships. Wood was also an assistant for WCHS Hall of Famer Joe Hood from 1987-1993. During his tenure as an assistant, he was part of two state finalist teams.

Wood was named head coach of the Kentucky All-Stars in 2002, received the Class AAA Region 1, District II Coach of the Year in 2000 and the SKY Conference Coach of the Year in 2001. Wood also coached track and his 1993 girls won the regional championship as well as becoming the KHSAA state champions in the 4×200- and state runner up in the 4×100-meter relays.

• 1989 Football Team

State Runner-Up

The 1989 football team finished with a 13-2 record (most wins in school history) and were district and region champions, as well as making it to the state championship game. They were the first team from Warren County to make the state title game. Their 48 forced turnovers in a season is still a Dragon record.

The team was coached by Joe Hood, an inaugural WCHS Hall of Famer, as well as assistant coach, Ricky Wood, who will be inducted this year. The team had wins over Bowling Green, Warren East, Shelby County, Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.), Franklin-Simpson, Christian County, North Hardin and St. Xavier among others. All-state players included Damon Hood, Tony Cooper, Chris Baker, J.J. Jewell, Matt Pendleton, Tracey Reid and Thomas York.