What does Warren Central need to do to improve in 2008/2009? What do they need to keep doing to be successful? Remember, please be constructive.

Had a young team this past season much like Dewalt and Maresca's freshman and sophomore years. Coach Riley had the opportunity to develop some players and got them some experience that will benefit them in the near future, it is a program that doesnt stay down long and I look for it to rise again in the 4th region.

Last year Warren Central had a talented but inexperienced and young team, which led to some very high points (beat both regional finalists Bowling Green & Greenwood, destroyed Franklin the preseason favorite) and low points (losses to Russellville, each of the aforementioned teams, losing record at the end, etc.). They showed the type of team they could be by leading Bowling Green by 11 at halftime in the district before faltering in the second half.

 

Central lost only two seniors from that team, and quite frankly those two were not devastating losses. Neither were in the top 4 of scoring, and I'm not certain how much they even added in the way of leadership. What is coming back is '08s junior class featuring what I consider to be their current best player in Pete Winn as well as Scooter Lightfoot, but even then those are the only two in the class of 2009. The vast majority of the team lies in the '10 and '11 classes, and the biggest contributors will be Jordan Shanklin (a player Coach Riley has said is the best he's ever coached) and George Fant, both of whom will have benefited from all of the playing time they got last year and will be another year experienced. The starting five will probably be:

 

G - Pete Winn - Senior

G - Jordan Shanklin - Sophomore

G - Troy Halcomb - Junior

F - Scooter Lightfoot - Senior

C - George Fant - Senior

 

Quite frankly, I think they could have (and perhaps should have) been the starting lineup last season.

 

Central will have 13 players in the sophomore and junior classes. Most of the players you saw last year you will be seeing this year and next year as well. Expectations are on the upswing again at Central, and I think all the teams that got Central last year will be happy they did when they had the chance.

I remember Winn and Lightfoot from Rupp in 07. I would like to see Riley and the Dragons get back to Rupp. He gives some of the best quotes in his interview and WC is always fun to watch.