For the first time in seven years, Warren Central’s boys’ basketball team walked off the court a winner in a state tournament game.

The Vikings went on the road Friday and knocked off South Panola, 56-42, in the first round of the MHSAA Class 6A tournament. It’s the program’s first win in the state tournament since beating Hernando in a first-round game in 2018.

Roosevelt Harris led the way with 15 points and six assists. He was one of eight players who scored in a balanced effort.

Robert Williams added nine points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots. Davon O’Neal and Caleb Lane each scored six points, while Nash Morgan grabbed nine rebounds.

“It’s surreal,” Warren Central coach Keith Williams said. “I’m just proud of the kids. They bought in and they battled. They played their tails off. They wanted it, and wanted to show that they belong, and they did.”

Warren Central (8-18) has now won three of its last four games after losing the previous eight. It advanced to face either Ridgeland or Lake Cormorant in the second round on Feb. 21 at either 7 or 8:30 p.m. The game will be played at Mississippi Valley State University’s R.W. Harrison Complex in Itta Bena.

The state semifinals and championship game will be played at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on Feb. 27 and March 1, respectively.