FAYETTEVILLE — Little Rock Central sophomore Bryson Warren has been putting up big numbers lately, but it has still been a very balanced squad that has carried the defending Class 6A state co-champions to an unbeaten start in the 6A-Central.
Warren (6-2, 160) scored 26 points in a 67-64 win over then-No. 1 Bryant last Tuesday and poured in a career-high 37 points in a 79-59 win over Cabot on Friday.
Central, which is 12-3 overall and ranked No. 2 in the state by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, has played only three home games this season but hosts Little Rock Southwest on Wednesday and defending co-champ Conway on Friday.
“I feel really good about how we have been playing the last three or four weeks,” Tigers head coach Brian Ross said. “Our offense has got off on the right foot and that’s got us off to a great start in conference play. Bryson has been a big part of that.”
Warren, who holds offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Georgetown, Oklahoma State and other programs, knocked down six 3-pointers and finished 13 of 20 from the floor in Friday’s win.
“He has been incredible,” Ross said. “Over the last six or seven games he is averaging over 30 points per game and is doing it while shooting over 50% from the field. He has been real consistent, but the thing is that his assist numbers are also up at the same time and he is making great decisions on whether to shoot the ball or pass the ball."
During that time, senior CJ Camper is averaging over 16 points and junior Cody Robinson and senior Hudson Likens are both scoring over 10 points per game for Central, which won its final eight games last season and will be trying to repeat as state champs in Fayetteville in March.
“That is what we thought we had before the season, just a lot of weapons, but we stumbled out of the gate a bit offensively,” Ross said. “But over these last seven games, we have four guys averaging over 10 points per game. That puts a lot of pressure on the defense.”
The fifth starter is freshman Annor Boateng (6-5, 200), who also has an offer from Arkansas.
"Annor is getting better and better each game and really is playing a nice role for us,” Ross said. “He’s not a high scorer. He’s averaging about 7 points per game, but he is leading us in deflections, blocks, rebounds and all these other stats. He has really been big-time for us.”
Little Rock Central has faced a challenging schedule with wins over North Little Rock, Sylvan Hills, Morrilton, Jonesboro, Jacksonville, Hot Springs, Bentonville West, Fort Smith Northside and Little Rock Mills. It has losses to current No. 1 Marion (58-57), Little Rock Parkview (76-72 in overtime) and Little Rock Christian (74-65).
“I think it got us ready to be where we are right now,” Ross said. “Yes, we lost some games, but we play as tough a schedule as we possibly could and it forced us to get better. We didn’t have any 15-20 point games during our non-conference schedule.
“We have been learning to play with a close lead or play from behind late in games and that’s pretty much what we have been doing in conference games also except for one.”