The Warren Central boys’ basketball team will bring some experience into Thursday’s opening round matchup against Mayfield in the Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet Sixteen at 7 p.m. CST at Rupp Arena in Lexington.

Two starters – Jamale Barber and Tayshaun Bibb – as well as a handful of players who saw limited minutes are back. With the Dragons facing a Mayfield team that hasn’t been to the Sweet Sixteen since 1992, William Unseld said he hopes experience can be a factor but also cautions it will take more than that to beat the Region 1 champion.

“It could be to our advantage but here is the thing, they have kids that are football kids who have played in big games – state championship games,” Unseld said. “We hope those lights get to them, but I don’t see it because they have kids that have been in big moments.”

Mayfield comes in 25-7 and winners of nine straight. The Cardinals rely on a balanced attack that includes three players that average at least 13 points a night and five players that average at least eight points.

The roster includes nine seniors – led by 6-3 guard Connor Guthrie (16.1 ppg), 6-1 forward Desean Jones (12.8 ppg) and 6-5 wing Carson Guthrie (9.3 rpg).

Mayfield beat Graves County to win District 3 before beating Marshall County, Paducah Tilghman and McCracken County in the Region 1 tournament.

Unseld said he was impressed with Mayfield’s performance in a 56-44 victory over McCracken County for the Region 1 title.

“They played well together,” Unseld said. “You could tell it was a senior-laden team. They made play after play when they needed to make the play. We have to shoot the ball well. We have to guard and rebound to have a chance.”

If his team can build off its success in the Region 4 tournament, Unseld said he likes his team’s chances to advance, but added it will take a total team effort to accomplish that goal.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” Unseld said. “They are talented. They are big. They can run. They can shoot it. We’ve got our hands full, but what else would you want? It’s the final 16.”

And while Unseld isn’t sure how much the experience of playing in last year’s Sweet Sixteen will come into play, Barber said he thinks it could be the key to getting off to a fast start.

“I was telling the new guys earlier how it’s different – the bright lights and such,” Barber said. “No matter what you say, you are going to be nervous. Hopefully we can jump out on (Mayfield) early and just get a great start and get all the bugs out early.”