BRANDON — Warren Central basketball coach Bruce Robinson saw about what he expected to see when his team hit the floor for the first time on Saturday — a few good things, a few bad things, some things to work on, and a work in progress.

The Vikings let a lead slip away in the last five minutes of their two-quarter scrimmage against Velma Jackson and lost 25-18. It was the kind of loss that would sting in January or February, but largely irrelevant in October except as a teaching tool.

“I always talk about the playoffs. I’d rather be good in January and February than October. We’ve got a long way to go, and I knew that,” Robinson said. “I am pleased that once we settled down, we scored a little bit. We should have scored more. I didn’t like the fact that we turned it over late, but we haven’t worked on any press breakers. We’ve worked on our man defense and that’s it.”

Warren Central’s regular-season opener is Nov. 9, at home against Raymond.

The Vikings were missing several returning players who are still with the football team, including starting point guard Jalen Allen. That contributed to the endgame Saturday, as Velma Jackson took advantage of several turnovers and missed shots by Warren Central down the stretch to close the game on a 14-2 run.

Antwain Dixon hit a jumper with 1:54 remaining to give the Falcons the lead for good, and his teammates closed it out by going 6-for-6 from the free throw line the rest of the way. Three players each hit a pair of free throws for the Falcons.

“We didn’t play any defense and we turned the ball over. It’s a 14-2 run, but we probably turned it over on four of those six possessions. That’s the difference in the ballgame,” Robinson said. “We need a little bit more experience at guard. We put some inexperienced guys out there.”

Although the finish wasn’t what Robinson would have liked, there were a few positive takeaways. Jabari Bowman and Chris Early combined for 10 points on inside baskets, and DeArius Henyard added five points. The Vikings led 16-11 midway through the second quarter before unraveling against the defending Class 3A champions.

“I thought we scored a little bit better in some spots,” Robinson said. “The game was inside-out, and I think we’re going to be all right with that.”