Dragons heat up to smoke Wildcats, 70-32
Published 12:16 pm Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Warren Central senior Robert McAfee (middle) drives between Franklin-Simpson junior Cole Sharer (left) and Franklin-Simpson senior Kamryn Ray during Warren Central’s 70-32 win over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Warren Central High School.
Warren Central Dragons head coach William Unseld gives instructions during Warren Central’s 70-32 win over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Warren Central High School.
Warren Central sophomore Armani Byrd (0) and Franklin-Simpson senior KyMari Phillips (5) attempt to grab a rebound during Warren Central’s 70-32 win over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Warren Central High School.
Warren Central sophomore Armani Byrd (0) puts up a shot during Warren Central’s 70-32 win over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Warren Central High School.
Warren Central junior Ryan Hulbert (13) drives to the basket while Franklin-Simpson senior Kamryn Ray (1) defends during Warren Central’s 70-32 win over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Warren Central High School.
Warren Central senior Jarek Kirk (11) puts up a shot while Franklin-Simpson senior Kamryn Ray (1) and Franklin-Simpson junior Cole Sharer (24) defend during Warren Central’s 70-32 win over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Warren Central High School.
Warren Central senior Isaac Straw (10) puts up a shot while Franklin-Simpson senior Alan Johnson (11) defends during Warren Central’s 70-32 win over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Warren Central High School.
Warren Central sophomore Armani Byrd (0) attempts to dunk over Franklin-Simpson senior Logan Morris (30) during Warren Central’s 70-32 win over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Warren Central High School.
Warren Central sophomore Armani Byrd (0) puts up a shot over Franklin-Simpson sophomore Brody McAlister (23) during Warren Central’s 70-32 win over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Warren Central High School.
Franklin-Simpson Wildcats head coach Dee Spencer reacts during Warren Central’s 70-32 win over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Warren Central High School.
Warren Central senior Jarek Kirk (11) and Franklin-Simpson senior Kamryn Ray (1) attempt to grab a rebound during Warren Central’s 70-32 win over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Warren Central High School.
Warren Central senior Jarek Kirk (11) puts up a shot while Franklin-Simpson sophomore Brody McAlister (23) defends during Warren Central’s 70-32 win over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Warren Central High School.
Franklin-Simpson senior Logan Morris (30) while Warren Central junior Karaun Johnson (5) defends during Warren Central’s 70-32 win over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Warren Central High School.
Franklin-Simpson junior Jakai Partinger (12) puts up a shot during Warren Central’s 70-32 win over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Warren Central High School.
Franklin-Simpson senior Logan Morris (30) and Warren Central senior Jarek Kirk (11) attempt to grab a rebound during Warren Central’s 70-32 win over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at Warren Central High School.
Warren Central came out cold on a frosty night against Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday.
The host Dragons scrapped together just two field goals in the first eight minutes to hold just a one-point lead by the end of the first.
Then came the thaw – behind a big second-quarter performance from senior guard Robert ‘Ant’ McAfee, Central heated up and never cooled down in a 70-32 victory.
That’s nine straight wins for the Dragons as they head into Friday’s big District 14 road matchup against Bowling Green.
Franklin-Simpson (4-9) managed to muddle the game in the first quarter with a physical defense and deliberate offense as the Wildcats trailed just 6-5 after the first quarter.
Jakai Partinger’s 3-pointer with 6:14 left in the second quarter put the Wildcats up 8-6, but Armani Byrd answered with a jumper and then hit a pair of free throws to push Warren Central (13-1) back out front. Brody McAlister connected on a 3-pointer to give Franklin one last lead before McAfee got going with back-to-back baskets in the paint to put his team up 18-11.
It was the start of a 15-3 run to close out the second quarter and stake the Dragons to a much more comfortable 25-14 halftime lead.
Warren Central blew the game open in the third quarter, outscoring the Wildcats 29-9 over that eight-minute stretch.
“We started getting in a groove,” said McAfee, a 6-foot-6 Bellarmine signee who added eight rebounds in the win. “They talked to us at halftime about just slacking and not playing how we’re usually playing, so we just kind of got motivated by that I guess and just picked it up a little bit more.”
Even while the Dragons’ offense was scuffling in the first quarter, Warren Central’s defense kept Franklin-Simpson from doing much damage. Employing a half-court trap that often features a trio of 6-6 defenders in McAfee, Armani Byrd and Jarek Kirk, the Dragons make every offensive possession a challenge.
“It’s tough, man – you’re walking a fine line of when to attack it and when to take your time and try to run offense,” Franklin-Simpson coach Dee Spencer said. “Those guys are long and lanky. They make it tough on our little guards. I thought we did a good job of handling it. You just can’t have live-ball turnovers against that team.”
Armani Byrd finished with 12 points, Kirk nearly had a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, and Gavin Carter added nine points for the Dragons.
Warren Central coach William Unseld let his players figure out how to respond after that slow first quarter, avoiding the team huddle between quarters.
“There’s nothing else for me to say,” Unseld said. “At some point it’s got to be their team. And they get tired of me barking at them, so OK, we’re at that point where you’re tired of hearing me bark at you. Now it’s your team. How ya’ll want to respond? And they did a great job. That’s what it’s all about. At some point it’s got to become their team – not coach Unseld’s, but their team. And I thought they did a good job of that tonight.”
FSHS 5 9 9 9 – 32
WCHS 6 19 29 16 – 70
FSHS – McAlister 7, Partinger 7, Morris 5, Ray 5, Johnson 3, Brooks 3, Kelley 2.
WCHS – McAfee 24, A. Byrd 12, Kirk 10, Carter 9, Johnson 5, Anthony 4, R. Hulbert 3, Strow 2, Daniel 1.
