The Central Christian Warriors got off to a hot start and rode the wave to a 62-46 win over Coosa Valley Academy on Thursday.

“It was a great game,” said Central Christian coach Carl Rawls. “They play hard, and I’m proud of them.”

While the win does not take away the sting of losing a double-digit lead — and the game — against Class AAA Hooper on Monday, it does put the Warriors back on the right track.

Central Christian opened the game with a 9-1 run started by a Trevoris Shepherd 3-point shot and capped by an Artavius Cunningham jumper. Then, with a 9-4 lead, a Cunningham jumper sparked a 6-0 run to extend the lead to 15-4.

“That’s our goal. We want to get them, jump on them quick,” said Rawls. “When you get momentum, you’ve still got to play.”

The Rebels responded with an 8-2 run of their own capped by a Chris Holcombe layup to cut the deficit to 17-12.

But the Warriors quickly put Coosa Valley away with a 17-0 run sparked by Bryant Rawls’ jumper to extend the lead to 34-12. During the run, the Warrior defense held the Rebels without a field goal for almost five minutes and forced five turnovers.

The Rebels went on a 7-0 run late in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 38-22 on a Holcombe 3-point shot.

The Rebels had inched their way back into the game, but Central Christian put them away on two more lopsided runs.

The Warrior offense opened the second half with a 9-point run to extend the lead to 51-24 while the defense kept the Rebels off the board for more than five minutes.

Coosa Valley got no closer than 15 the rest of the way.

The Warriors return to the court on Tuesday against Autauga Academy.