San Antonio, TX - After failing in a nail bitter 45-46 to Earl Warren (10-4) in the opener of the South San Antonio Tournament, the Chargers (7-2) stormed back, picking up a convincing wins  over San Antonio Johnson (7-2) 59-42, and St. Marks (5-7) 73-44 to earn a birth in the Consolation Bracket Championship where Central easily dispatch Pearland (4-9) 62-41, collecting their seventh win of the season.

Seniors Dominic Lampton and Nehemiah Weber paced the Chargers throughout the tournament as each registered double digit points in all four games. After failing in the tournament opener, both Lampton and Weber registered dominate performances against San Antonio Johnson, as Weber scored a game high 26-points, going 9-16 from the field while grabbing 7 rebounds. Lampton would register the only double double of the tournament for the Chargers, scoring 17 and shooting 71% from the field while grabbing 11 rebounds.

Aiden Wall provided the helping hand for the Chargers throughout the tournament with 21 assists across the four games, while committing just 10 total turnovers and chipping in 8 steals.

Weber would finish the tournament with a bang, scoring a career high 31 points while going 11-15 from the field and 4-5 from beyond the arc, earning him a selection to the all tournament team.

Head Coach Gerald Sledge, who enters his 11th season at the helm of Chargers basketball reflected on how the tournament was valuable both on the court and off saying the trip was "very rewarding from a team bonding and continued culture building perspective. Winning the Consolation Championship was huge, but I must admit that not winning the overall championship was a let-down for us as a team." Off the court the Chargers "created memories for the student-athletes that will last forever with a tour of San Antonio's Riverwalk, some great meals, and time to enjoy each other's company. These are the types of memories that make Central Hoops a special place #FAMILY."

While the historical 2021-22 season the Charger's had is still fresh in the minds of many, it's important to note the Charger's are off the an even better start this season, going 7-2 across their first nine games and tying the program record for best start to a season. In 2021-22 Central went 6-3 to start a season where they would ultimately finish 20-16 and reach the regional quarterfinals.

Coach Sledge is thrilled with not only the strong start the men's program is having, but also the women's program. "It's been so pleasing to see the Chargers and Lady Chargers off to such strong starts this season. Both programs have come into the season with a unified approach of supporting the best interest of the men's and women's basketball programs. It makes nights like November 29^th when the Lady Chargers defeated a tough Weatherford team and the Chargers beat a good Grapevine team special for the parents, athletes, coaches, and student body."

The Charger's have started 7-2 on three other occasions, 2017-18 (25-11), 2010-11 (17-16), and 2008-2009 (22-12).

Central's success has been noted, as they've come in at number five in the latest DFW Varsity Fort Worth Area 6A Poll.

1. Arlington Martin
2. North Crowley
3. Mansfield Legacy
4. Byron Nelson
5. Keller Central
6. Mansfield Lake Ridge
7. Keller
8. Mansfield
9. Southlake
10. Arlington Sam Houston

As of Dec. 5, 2022

Next up for the Chargers is a return to The Bolt where they face a very tough Fort Worth Brewer (11-1) team Tuesday. Brewer is coming off a 59-42 victory over Horn in the Mesquite Tournament Championship game and defeated common opponent Grapevine at home 68-63 in OT earlier this year. The Chargers defeated the Mustangs 55-45 just over a week ago, pointing towards a very even matchup between the Chargers and Bears. Tip off is set for 8:00PM.
 

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Keller ISD Athletics offers sports programs that help develop the whole student through athletics. KISD athletics programs will provide student-athletes opportunities to experience competition, leadership roles, self-improvement, goal setting, discipline, coachability, learning from setbacks, accountability, enhance academics, developing positive character traits, and being part of a team. In partnership with families and community, the mission of Central High School is to inspire in all students the desire to learn, the courage to lead, the value of proven character, and the commitment to serve. More information about Central and its coaches, student-athletes and teams is available at Centralchargerathletics.com