(Malik Stanley had a game-high 26 points)

 

At most sectionals, Lawrence Central and Warren Central would be a primetime match-up, but this is Sectional 10. The Bears and Warriors played a physical, emotional game that only saw one lead change, but it came in the third quarter.

 

Lawrence Central seniors Dameriz Merriweather and Brandyn Barrett sprinted out of the gates. The duo combined for 13 first-quarter points, and the Bears took an early 15-4 lead. Merriweather started with a three-pointer then focused on taking the ball to the basket. Barrett scored inside and was fouled on a three-point attempt.

 

It was a slowed start for Warren Central as the Warriors were plagued by turnovers and poor shooting. Later in the first quarter, Warren Central started taking trips to the free-throw line. That is something that the Warriors relied on all game.

 

Leading by eight points, Barrett and sophomore Josh Mickens helped Lawrence Central expand its lead to 11 early in the second quarter. Warren Central’s offense could not get out of first gear.

 

After some barking, Merriweather picked up a technical foul after Malik Stanley was fouled going to the basket. That allowed Stanley to make three of four free throws, and Warren Central kept the ball. As the possession continued, Lawrence Central fouled Stanley again. He made five free throws to get his rhythm. After that sequence, the senior guard was a different player.

 

Near the end of the first half, Chandler Jackson and Gabe McNary helped Warren Central continue to whittle away at Lawrence Central’s lead. Merriweather and Barrett produced enough to keep the Bears ahead at the break.

 

Greg Jenkins, Lawrence Central’s leading scorer, only scored two points in the first half. Out of the locker room, he changed that in a hurry. In the first 90 seconds, the 6’2” guard scored seven points. That pushed Lawrence Central’s lead back to 11 points. His production was a major shot in the arm.

 

With Warren Central down 11, Tae Davis got going. The Louisville commitment only scored four first-half points, but Davis started getting to the basket in the second. He scored ten points in the third quarter to spark Warren Central’s comeback. Once Davis was rolling, Stanley rejoined the mix. He scored ten of the next twelve Warrior points to tie the game.

 

With 1:12 in the third, Donald Coats made a free throw to give Warren Central its first lead of the game. Seconds later, Davis grabbed a missed free throw and finished the play with a dunk. A possession later, Coats made the same play for an impressive dunk. By the end of the third, Warren Central held a seven-point lead.

 

For the first five minutes of the fourth, Warren’s lead remained in the seven-point range. Merriweather was scratching and clawing to keep Lawrence Central in it. His score with 3:10 on the clock made it a four-point game.

 

Sean Black and Stanley made sure that LC did not get any closer. The senior guard tandem scored the final nine points for the Warriors as Warren Central walked away with the 74-64 win.

 

Stanley finished with 26 points, four rebounds, and four steals. He was 8-11 from the free-throw line. Davis added 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Jackson recorded an efficient 13 points and seven rebounds, and Sean Black tallied 11 points and five rebounds. Coats had seven points and five rebounds in 12 minutes before fouling out.

 

Merriweather led Lawrence Central with 24 points, seven steals, six rebounds, and three assists. It was a gutsy effort in his final high school game. Barrett recorded 16 points and five rebounds. Jenkins finished with 12 points and three rebounds. Mickens tallied ten points five rebounds.

 

Warren Central advances to play Lawrence North on Friday at the Tech sectional.