Warren Central hosts rally upon boys arrival home

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) - Students, faculty, family, and friends gathered inside Warren Central’s gymnasium Monday morning to celebrate the Dragon’s run in the state tournament.

The bleachers were filled with cheers and applause for the Dragons who lost by only 1 point in the state finals at Rupp Arena.

“This school and support from this community is awesome. So, just being able to get there and get on that limelight, it put Bowling Green on the map,” said Eliza Clark, Izayiah Villafuerte’s mom.

For Jaiden Lawrence, starting senior guard, the run was special. The team won the Region 4 title in his sophomore season in 2020, but never got to travel to Lexington due to COVID-19. His mom says this was a goal he’s worked hard to achieve.

“It means everything to me because it means everything to him. Jaiden has been playing basketball since he was three and that has been a life long dream of his - to play at Rupp Arena at the state tournament and to make it to the finals within one point, is just a dream come true from him,” said Kristy Murphy, Jaiden’s mom.

Monday morning, Warren Central held a pep rally and took the time to recognize the hard work these young men put into their entire season. Each player, coach, and team manager were honored with a state medal and of course the state runners-up trophy.

“We knocked off the number two team in the state, the number three team in the state and played a great Murray team and just to fall one point short of the number one team in the state says a lot about these kids, their heart, and their desire and their work ethic,” Murphy said.

For the parents, they say it’s a feeling they can’t put into words watching their son play on such a big stage.

“Speechless, for me. So, I can’t even imagine how the students felt and the guys they put everything on the line and they left it all on the court. It’s just amazing,” Clark said.

With only two seniors on this year’s team, Warren Central will be back and ready to go next season with an experienced roster.

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