It was a historic defensive performance for the Warren Central boys’ basketball team, which avoided another first-round upset in the opening round of the Region 4 Tournament with an emphatic 67-27 victory over Franklin-Simpson on Tuesday at E.A. Diddle Arena.

Warren Central (24-3) overcame a slow start to take command by halftime and cruise to the win. It was the fewest points Warren Central has ever allowed in a region tournament game – besting the 28 points allowed against Franklin-Simpson in the Dragons’ state championship 2023 season.

“That is what has carried us all year,” Warren Central coach William Unseld said. “Some years it’s our offense. This year it’s been our defense. It kept us in games. We’ve been down 20 points – a couple of games in December down in the 20s and we were able to come back and win because of our defense. This is a team that can play in the 30s, the 40s or the 70s, 80s just because of the way we guard. We are going to have a run at some point where we make shots as long as we keep guarding.”

After a surprising first-round exit to Barren County in last year’s region tournament, Warren Central looked much more the part of heavy favorite in Tuesday’s win over Franklin-Simpson.

The Dragons struggled early, starting 2-for-18 from the field, with Franklin-Simpson (9-16) able to jump ahead 9-5 late in the first quarter. Warren Central got going with six straight, including a dunk from Armani Byrd off an offensive rebound that gave the Dragons the first lead of the night at 11-9.

Franklin-Simpson hit two free throws to tie it before Jeremiah McCombs sparked a 12-2 run to push the Warren Central advantage to 23-13. The Dragons were able to extend the lead to 29-17 by halftime.

“I think we were just a little nervous, coming off last year,” McCombs said. “We had to get going, get some energy. (Coach) told us to keep playing. We are going to come out slow, but just keep going to the rim, keep attacking.”

The Dragons continued to pull away in the second half, with the lead getting to as high as 41 points. Warren Central held Franklin-Simpson to 10 points total in the final two quarters with the Wildcats shooting 3-for-24. Franklin finished the night shooting 25% with 15 turnovers.

Cole Sharer, JahMir Brooks and Jakai Partinger had five points each to lead the Wildcats in scoring.

“I believe fatigue set in a little bit,” Franklin-Simpson coach Dee Spencer said. “Couldn’t take these guys out of the game, couldn’t afford to take them out of the game. Early in the game I feel like we handled it and then I think fatigue creeped in.”

Karaun Johnson led the Dragons with 19 points off the bench, including 5-for-8 from 3-point range. Dominique Anthony added 10 points for Warren Central, with 12 players total finding the scoring column.

Warren Central dominated on the glass, outrebounding the Wildcats 52-29. Six players had at least five rebounds, led by eight from McCombs.

“We really go after it,” Unseld said. “Jeremiah has been unbelievable rebounding all year. Armani started the game out rebounding well. Jadis Duncan came off the bench with several rebounds. It was a collective, group effort on the glass and that’s how we’ve got to do it every night.”

Warren Central advances to face Barren County in Monday’s semifinal at 6:30 p.m. at E.A. Diddle Arena – a rematch of last year’s first-round matchup.

“We are going to have our hands full,” Unseld said. “We just have to get back to work, get focused, get locked in. As long as our defense keeps doing what it is we will have a chance to win any of the games coming up.”

FSHS 9 8 5 5 – 27

WCHS 7 22 22 16 – 67

FS – Partinger 5, Sharer 5, Brooks 5, Hampton 4, Stont 4, McAlister 2, Breward 2.

WC – Johnson 19, Anthony 10, McCombs 7, Prince 5, Ra. Hulbert 5, Ry. Hulbert 5, Cousin 5, Daniel 3, Bradford 3, Byrd 2, Carter 2, Duncan 1.