Dragons return home to roll past South Warren
Published 3:35 pm Sunday, January 5, 2025
South Warren sophomore Camden Page (23) shoots a layup between Warren Central sophomores Armani Byrd (0) and Gavin Carter (2) in the Dragons’ 71-41 win over the Spartans at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Warren Central senior Robert McAfee (1) shoots a layup between South Warren junior Caden McIntyre (24) and sophomore Camden Page (23) in the Dragons’ 71-41 win over the Spartans at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Warren Central senior Isaac Strow (10) tries to hang onto the ball as South Warren freshman Brandon Perkins (2) and junior Caden McIntyre (24) reach to strip it from his hands in the Dragons’ 71-41 win over the Spartans at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren junior Owen Shively (1) shoots a layup between Warren Central seniors Robert McAfee (1) and Jarek Kirk (11) in the Dragons’ 71-41 win over the Spartans at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Warren Central sophomore Armani Byrd (0) shoots a three-pointer over South Warren junior Caden McIntyre (24) in the Dragons’ 71-41 win over the Spartans at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Warren Central senior Robert McAfee (1) moves the ball around South Warren junior Jaxen Decker (11) in the Dragons’ 71-41 win over the Spartans at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Warren Central junior Ryan Hulbert (13) shoots a three-pointer over South Warren junior Jaxen Decker (11) in the Dragons’ 71-41 win over the Spartans at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Warren Central junior Johan Pratt (55) shoots a three-pointer beside South Warren junior Owen Shively (1) in the Dragons’ 71-41 win over the Spartans at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren freshman Brandon Perkins (2) pushes past Warren Central sophomore Armani Byrd (0) in the Dragons’ 71-41 win over the Spartans at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren senior Thad Hall (0) passes the ball to junior Jaxen Decker (11) around Warren Central senior Robert McAfee (1) in the Dragons’ 71-41 win over the Spartans at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren junior Jaxen Decker (11) shoots a layup over Warren Central senior Robert McAfee (1) in the Dragons’ 71-41 win over the Spartans at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Warren Central senior Jarek Kirk (11) shoots a layup behind South Warren senior Thad Hall (0) in the Dragons’ 71-41 win over the Spartans at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Warren Central sophomore Gavin Carter (2) shoots a layup after moving around South Warren senior Griffin Rardin (12) and junior Jaxen Decker (11) in the Dragons’ 71-41 win over the Spartans at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren freshman Brandon Perkins (2) shoots a three-pointer in the Dragons’ 71-41 win over the Spartans at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren junior Jaxen Decker (11) shoots a layup over Warren Central junior Ryan Hulbert (13) in the Dragons’ 71-41 win over the Spartans at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren sophomore Averi Fugate (40) shoots a layup beside Warren Central freshman Mauwa Faustine (4) in the Lady Spartans’ 71-25 win over the Lady Dragons at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren freshman Keegan Pruitt (2) shoots a layup beside Warren Central freshman Mauwa Faustine (4) in the Lady Spartans’ 71-25 win over the Lady Dragons at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Warren Central freshman Mauwa Faustine (4) shoots a layup between South Warren senior Ashley Overbay (21) and sophomore Averi Fugate (40) in the Lady Spartans’ 71-25 win over the Lady Dragons at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Warren Central junior Myra Mayberry (1) jumps to catch a rebound as South Warren freshman Bella Moore (33) and eighth grader Carli Smith (31) reach for the ball in the Lady Spartans’ 71-25 win over the Lady Dragons at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren senior Jenna Lindsey (3) shoots a layup as Warren Central freshman Mauwa Faustine (4) reaches to block in the Lady Spartans’ 71-25 win over the Lady Dragons at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren freshman Jooniper Strow (12) shoots a layup as Warren Central junior Myra Mayberry (1) reaches to block in the Lady Spartans’ 71-25 win over the Lady Dragons at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Warren Central junior Dyamond Posey (11) tries to move the ball around South Warren senior Jenna Lindsey (3) in the Lady Spartans’ 71-25 win over the Lady Dragons at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Warren Central junior Myra Mayberry (1) shoots a layup between South Warren freshman Jooniper Strow (12) and senior Jenna Lindsey (3) in the Lady Spartans’ 71-25 win over the Lady Dragons at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren sophomore Averi Fugate (40) shoots a layup between Warren Central juniors Myra Mayberry (1) and Dyamond Posey (11) in the Lady Spartans’ 71-25 win over the Lady Dragons at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren senior Jenna Lindsey (3) moves the ball around Warren Central junior Dyamond Posey (11) in the Lady Spartans’ 71-25 win over the Lady Dragons at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren freshman Anna Harl (5) loses control of the ball as Warren Central sophomore Maliyah Garrett (21) and junior Myra Mayberry (1) defend in the Lady Spartans’ 71-25 win over the Lady Dragons at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren sophomore Autumn Gatewood (10) blocks a layup by Warren Central freshman Mauwa Faustine (4) in the Lady Spartans’ 71-25 win over the Lady Dragons at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
Warren Central junior Dyamond Posey (11) shoots a layup over South Warren freshman Jooniper Strow (12) in the Lady Spartans’ 71-25 win over the Lady Dragons at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren junior McLaine Hudson (11) moves in to shoot the ball in the Lady Spartans’ 71-25 win over the Lady Dragons at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
South Warren eighth grader Carli Smith (31) shoots a layup in the Lady Spartans’ 71-25 win over the Lady Dragons at Warren Central High School on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. GRACE MCDOWELL / DAILY NEWS
The road warriors returned home in triumphant fashion on Friday.
Playing for just the second time at home this season, and the first since Dec. 5, the Warren Central boys’ basketball team settled in quite nicely – rolling to a 71-41 win over South Warren.
Warren Central (10-1 overall, 1-0 District 14) started fast and never let up, easily dispatching the Spartans in the district opener for both teams.
“It was good (to be home),” Warren Central coach Will Unseld said. “(South Warren coach Carlos Quarles) is doing a great job at South. He’s doing a wonderful job. We just played well today. We made shots. We played well. We really defend when we need to. Our length I think is causing people problems.”
The Dragons shot 59% in the first half, jumping out to a 13-3 lead in the first four minutes and stretching it to 18-7 by the end of the first quarter.
Robert McAfee scored 14 points, including four 3-pointers, during a four-minute span in the second quarter as Warren Central’s lead grew to 42-18 by halftime. South Warren finished the first half 7-for-24 from the field.
Warren Central continued to pull away with a 3 from McAfee making the score 61-24 with 2:48 left in the third quarter. South Warren was able to outscore the Dragons in the fourth, but was unable to get closer than the final margin.
“We had a stretch there in the fourth where I didn’t like what we did, so we will get back to work on Sunday,” Unseld said. “Other than that, I was proud of the way we played. We moved the ball. We got multiple guys that can put the ball in the basket.
“That was a big win. Great to start out district 1-0. We always say, ‘You’ve got to win your home games.’ ”
McAfee led the Dragons with 26 points and nine rebounds. Jarek Kirk added 15 points and eight rebounds, while Armani Byrd had 12 points.
“It felt amazing,” McAfee said. “First home district game – it was great, playing with my teammates. I love my team. That’s really what it was. They hype me up all game.”
Warren Central shot 58% from the field, including 11-for-23 from 3-point range.
Clay Willis had eight points for South Warren (9-4, 0-1), while Owen Shively and Brandon Perkins added seven points each. The Spartans shot 31% from the field.
Both teams are scheduled to return to action on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Warren Central will play at Barren County, while South Warren hosts Franklin-Simpson.
SWHS 7 11 13 10 – 41
WCHS 18 24 23 6 – 71
SW – Willis 8, Shively 7, Perkins 7, Hall 5, Decker 5, Page 3, Button 2, Rardin 2, Knight 1, Bridges 1.
WC – McAfee 26, Kirk 15, Byrd 12, Ry. Hulbert 8, Carter 4, Anthony 4, Pratt 2.
GIRLS
South Warren 71, Warren Central 25
The Spartans erupted for the most points this season, cruising to victory in the district opener for both teams.
“You take whatever win you can get,” South Warren coach Lane Embry said. “Our girls played hard. We didn’t play very well (Thursday against Daviess County) on the road, so we challenged them to come in with really good focus and I thought they did. Everybody that came in gave us what they could and that’s all we could ask for.”
South Warren (4-8 overall, 1-0 District 14) used a 23-1 run to break away for a 28-6 lead after one and continued to expand the margin from there. After Warren Central (0-10, 0-1) scored to open the second quarter, the Spartans outscored them 21-5 the rest of the period with Jenna Lindsey’s 3 making the score 49-13 at halftime.
The margin kept expanding in the second half, with the Spartans playing the reserves for most of the final two quarters.
Lindsey led South Warren with 22 points.
“It was great to contribute,” Lindsey said. “I liked being able to help my team. I got some assists too. It’s part of working as a team.”
McLaine Hudson added 14 points, while Catherine Calvert finished with 12 points.
Myra Mayberry led Warren Central with nine points, while Dyamond Posey added eight points.
Both teams return to action at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. South Warren hosts Franklin-Simpson, while Warren Central will play at Barren County.
SWHS 28 21 15 7 – 71
WCHS 6 7 7 5 – 25
SW – Lindsey 22, Hudson 14, Calvert 12, Strow 6, Pruitt 4, Gatewood 2, Overbay 2, Carter 2, Smith 2, Moore 2, Fugate 2, Osborne 1.
WC – Mayberry 9, Posey 8, Jones 5, Faustine 3.
About Micheal Compton
I am a sports reporter and movie critic for the Bowling Green Daily News.
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