The Warren Central girls’ basketball team took a step forward last season.

Even in a season with five wins, Warren Central showed some promise – including an upset win over eventual region champion Bowling Green and a close battle with fellow District 14 for Greenwood.

But after a season of growth, Warren Central could see growing pains this season. Warren Central’s top three scorers and rebounders – Aida Akhmedova, Jaliyah Bailey and Briana Frausto – are gone. Add a roster without a senior and there are some questions heading into the season.

Question that head coach Anthony Hickey thinks his team is ready to answer.

“It’s just the next person up,” Hickey said. “You can’t complain. It’s new faces, new places. The good thing is we have no seniors, so we have a lot to look forward to. We are going to rely on some freshmen to play some valuable minutes, which is good because they are going to get the opportunity to play a lot. We’ve been through this before.”

Junior guard Dyamond Posey and sophomore guard Layla Tisdale are the most experienced returning players. Both appeared in all 25 games last year, with Posey averaging just over four points and Tisdale averaging 2.2 points.

Freshmen Keaunae Christon and Mauwa Faustine appeared in three games and will be asked to see more time this season. The biggest addition could be the return of junior center Myra Mayberry, who appeared in three games before suffering a knee injury.

Hickey said he expects Mayberry to be a big part of the team’s success this season.

“That’s a big plus,” Hickey said. “Losing Bailey and then getting her back, that takes the burden off a little bit.”

The rest of the roster lacks any varsity experience. Maliyah Garrett and Amie Tambadu are part of the sophomore class, with Christon and Faustine joined in the freshmen class by Avayah Bowman, Lillian Everett, Josinie Gardner, Derriona Jones and Anlly Perdomo.

The roster lacks experience with plenty of question marks, but Hickey said he believes the pieces are there to build off last season – although it might take some time. If the team can remain healthy and the new pieces can gel, the Lady Dragons are hopeful the talent is there to be competitive in the district and region.

“They understand that every team is going to have that same goal, but only one team is going to come out of this region,” Hickey said. “Who that is? Nobody knows. I tell my kids all the time they put on their uniforms just like you. It’s no different. You just have to bring it every day.”