By Leeann Tanner - Staff Writer
The Raiders of East Carter will face off with Warren Central, 22-8, in the first round of the 2010 PNC/KHSAA Boys Sweet Sixteen® Basketball Tournament at Rupp Arena at noon today (Wednesday).
The game is East’s first appearance at the state tournament in 24 years, and only the second in school history.
The match up marks the first trip for the Dragons since they made a run of six straight trips from 2002-2007, taking the top title in 2004.
Warren Central is coming off the Region 4 Championship where they took down rival Bowling Green in double overtime, 58-63.
The Raiders already know what to expect from two of the Dragon’s leading scorers. Warren Central players George Fant and Jordan Shanklin participated in a Derek Smith All-Stars with East’s Colt Barnhill last summer.
Without doubt, the Dragons will come in gunning for the 6-foot-7 Barnhill. But the Raiders saw that in last Monday night’s Regional title game against Fairview. Even with the Eagles’ extra effort, Barnhill was able to put up 11 points. Caleb Adams stepped up to lead the team in scoring with 13 points and Kyle Bair made a big difference with eight points and six rebounds. Both Bair and Adams, along with the rest of the Raiders’ 14-member veteran team, will be expected to put themselves to the test.
Rebounding is going to be very important in the first round face off. East has a fantastic habit of limiting second-chance shots, but Warren Central was one of the state’s top rebounding teams this season with an average of 36.5 rebounds per game.
When the Raiders traveled to State in 1986, they were knocked out in the first round by Paducah Tilghman, 73-57. The 2010 Raiders are hoping to take home the Championship trophy this year.
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