Warren Central Dragons (15-1) @ Bowling Green Purples (15-3)
January 13, 2023 – 7:30pm
By Perry Swack
Crosstown rivals collide in a 15th District showdown tonight at Glasgow High School as the Scotties welcome the Trojans for a big matchup with postseason implications. The winner of this game will be in sole possession of second place in the district standings. With games getting canceled by COVID-19 regularly, it is uncertain how many district games will actually be played adding to the weight of tonight’s result.
Current District Standings
Bowling Green 2-0
Warren Central 1-0
South Warren 0-1
Greenwood 0-2
Last Time Out
Warren Central blew by Hopkinsville, 92-65
Bowling Green defeated Franklin-Simpson, 68-63
Last Meeting – March 8, 2022 – 4th Region Championship Game
The two area powers met in the region title game as Warren Central clinched its fourth championship in five seasons with a 58-50 victory over Bowling Green. The back-and-forth affair looked like it could be headed for an extra period before the Dragons pulled away in the final two minutes with timely free-throw shooting. Bowling Green senior and Mr. Basketball winner Turner Buttry led all scorers with 21 points, while Omari Glover led WC with 18 points.
What to Watch For
As the defending state runners-up, Warren Central has looked even more dangerous this season, winning fifteen of its first sixteen contests. After dropping their first game of the season to Madison Central on December 27, the Dragons have cruised to a six-game win streak – all by at least 21 points. Five players are averaging in double figures, led by junior Kade Unseld at 16.8 points per game. Three players are also grabbing at least seven rebounds per contest, led by senior Chappelle Whitney at 7.9. Coach Will Unseld’s club shoots it as well as any team in the state, shooting 55% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc. Fifteen teams have had the misfortune of trying to stop this balanced attack and Bowling Green will hope it is not #16.
The Purples have had a successful start to their 2022-23 campaign as well, winning fifteen of their first eighteen games. Two losses in the White, Greer, and Maggard Holiday Classic left a sour taste in the mouths of Bowling Green, but coach D.G. Sherrill’s club has responded with four wins to open January. Junior MJ Wardlow has seamlessly become “the guy” for the Purples, leading the team with 19.2 points per game. Wardlow is shooting 53% from the field, 41% from distance, and 74% from the line. Fellow junior Mason Ritter has been a matchup problem for opposing teams, averaging 12.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per contest as well. Freshman Gavin Lightning is having a strong freshman season, averaging 6.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. His 66% shooting from the field ranks him tenth across the state of Kentucky.
Prediction
Bowling Green has played all but three games away from home this season. Friday’s matchup with the Dragons will be its fourth. Will the Purples be able to use its home court to its advantage? Warren Central loves to pressure opposing offenses into making bad decisions which often lead to layups or transition three-pointers. BG’s ability to counter this will be its best chance at a victory.
However, the Dragons are clicking on all cylinders right now, averaging 75 points per game (ranked within the top ten in the state). Their length and depth provide mismatches all across the hardwood. I expect them to come out hot and pull away from Bowling Green in this rivalry game.
Warren Central 77, Bowling Green 62
Stat to Know – 72.5
The Dragons and Purples are two of the best rebounding teams in the state. Warren Central averages 37.1 per game and Bowling Green checks in at 35.4, combining for 72.5 rebounds per contest. The winner of the rebounding battle will likely go home the victor.
