The learning continues for Warren Central boys’ basketball team, which found a way to get past Adair County 65-59 on Tuesday at Warren Central High School.

With WKU signee Kade Unseld playing brace free and the most minutes of the season, Warren Central (11-9) was able to hang within striking distance before taking control with a strong fourth quarter – earning the win against one of the top teams in Region 5.

Warren Central senior Elijah Starks, who finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds, said the Dragons are starting to come together as the postseason approaches.

“We took a loss last week at Bowling Green and we just got stronger,” Starks said. “Our bond is stronger. … It’s been a battle from day one. We’ve been dealing with injuries. We’ve dealt with other stuff. For us to come out and win games, it keeps us positive.”

Tuesday’s win may have been the biggest of the season for the Dragons, facing an Adair County team that had won eight out of the last nine coming in. For the first three quarters, it looked like Adair County (21-5) might be able to continue that momentum.

After a 7-0 run by the Dragons late in the first quarter, Adair County responded with five straight, points including a 3-pointer from Carter White to push in front 13-11 after one.

Warren Central regained the advantage and pushed the score to 25-20 after a 3 from Jarrett Kirk with two minutes left in the half before the Indians closed with a 9-2 spurt to move ahead 29-27 at halftime.

Adair County continued to extend their lead, using 3-point shooting to build a 39-31 advantage midway through the third. Unseld’s only 3 of the night and his first points of the game helped the Dragons pull within 42-39 with the lead cut to 45-43 after three.

Unseld tied the score with a jumper to start the fourth and Drevin Bratton split a pair of free throws to give the Dragons their first lead of the second half. A 3 gave the lead back to Adair County briefly before a three-point play by Unseld sparked a 13-0 run that gave Warren Central a 59-48 advantage.

Adair County got as close as three before Unseld went 3-for-4 from the free-throw line in the final 20 seconds.

Unseld finished with 11 points, eight in the decisive fourth quarter. He said it was good to be able to stay in the flow of a game and be able to contribute on both ends of the floor.

“It just helped me get into a rhythm, not just on the offensive side,” Kade Unseld said. “Now I can get a stop and feel good on defense and it transfers to the offense.”

Adair County finished with 13 made 3s, with three players in double figures. Connor Loy led the Indians with 19 points.

“We didn’t play well in the first half, but we came out and battled in the second half,” William Unseld said. “It wasn’t clean, but we fought. That’s all I wanted. We battled and fought. We made enough plays.”

The win was Unseld’s 300th win of his career as head coach at Warren Central.

“It’s great to win that many games with the kids we’ve had,” Unseld said. “It’s a credit to our kids. We’ve had some talented basketball players that let me coach them hard. We plan on getting plenty more. I don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. I know people keep telling people that I am leaving after this year because of Kade, but I’m not. He’s two minutes away, so I’m going to be here for a while.”

Kade Unseld said he was happy to be a part of his dad’s milestone win.

“It means a lot, but knowing him I’m sure he’s really focused on learning how to win and get ready for this postseason more than the 300th win,” Kade Unseld said.

Warren Central returns to action at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, hosting North Hardin.

ACHS 13 16 16 14 – 59

WCHS 11 16 16 22 – 65

AC – Loy 19, Cochran 15, Gilbert 12, Coomer 7, White 6.

WC – Starks 24, Unseld 11, Howard 9, Kirk 8, Bratton 7, Hammer 3, Byrd 3.