Many will assume the Dragons are rebuilding, but the past tells a different story
By Perry Swack – Sporting Times Reporter
Warren Central Dragons
Record last season: 26-7
Postseason finish: Won 4th Region Championship
The top seven scorers may have graduated from the Dragons’ region title roster of 2020, but don’t expect coach William Unseld to push the rebuild button quite yet. If the past tells us anything about Warren Central Basketball, it is that the Dragons don’t often go into rebuilding mode. Rather, they reload. You don’t win three consecutive region titles (and six since 2010) if you are constantly rebuilding. Unseld enters his tenth season looking to keep a good thing going. His roster will look significantly different, though, than it did a season ago when ten seniors took the floor for the Dragons. A mix of upperclassmen and a talented sophomore class will lead the way for the White and Navy.
Players to Watch
The roster got a major boost when South Warren standout Jace Carver transferred to Central after averaging 14.8 points per game a season ago. The combo guard shot nearly 40% from the three-point line and hit 72 three-pointers on the year. Carver also shot over 70% from the free throw line. Jaiden Lawrence will also be player to keep an eye on for the Dragons. The junior guard is the team’s leading returning scorer at 3.2 points per game and has great range from the three-point line. He also was nearly 40% from the three-point line, hitting more threes (19) than he did two-pointers (10). His length will give WC a boost in the backcourt.
X-Factors
The entire sophomore class will be an X-Factor in 2021. The group went undefeated as freshmen and there are seven members of this class on the varsity roster this season. Playing some point guard for the Dragons will be Izayiah Villafuerte. The sophomore appeared in 11 games as a freshman, connecting on 8-of-15 three-pointers in limited action. In one freshman game, Villafuerte went 10-for-10 from behind the arc. His shooting prowess and ballhandling will certainly be utilized by Unseld and his staff this season.
Dates to Circle
January 15 vs. Bowling Green – Any time Warren Central and Bowling Green get together it is a can’t miss matchup
February 12 @ Owensboro – Dragons travel to Owensboro to take on the 3rd Region favorites
February 19 @ Greenwood – Gators welcome Central in the season’s final district game which will surely have major impact on tournament seeding
Consider This
It’s no secret the Dragons have dominated the 4th Region this millennium. The program won has won 12 titles since 2002 (2002-2007, 2010-2011, 2013, 2018-2020. Bowling Green is second with six, Russellville with two, and Greenwood with one. What will the next twenty years bring us? The Dragons’ ability to turn seasons that seem headed for a rebuild into a reload has kept them atop the region. Will this new roster be much of the same?
