Lorenza “Ren” Watson wrote the book at Virginia Commonwealth University on on blocking shots.

Now Hason Ward seems intent on scripting a chapter of his own.

The long-stemmed, 6-foot-9 Watson blocked a Rams record of 391 shots in three seasons, from 1976 to 1979.

The true total is significantly higher. No shot-block stats were recorded during his freshman season in 1975-76.

Watson set the one-season mark of 135 block shots in 1976-77 and the one-game standard of 11 in 1976 when the Rams played South Carolina State University.

“It’s not like I practiced it or anything,” Watson told the Free Press. “It just came natural; part of playing defense.”

A distant second on VCU’s rejections list is Larry Sanders with 277 blocked shots, followed by Mo Alie-Cox, 255; L.F. Likcholitov, 207; and Kendrick Warren, 193.

Now it’s Ward’s turn to make his mark at VCU sending shots into reverse.

Known as “The Warden” for his ability to lay down the law in the paint, Ward is a 6-foot-9 native of St. Thomas in Barbados. He signed with VCU following one season at Springfield Central High in Massachusetts, where he once blocked 22 shots in a single game.

“I’ve only seen bits and pieces of VCU this year due to the pandemic,” Watson said. “I plan to watch a game and then the game’s called off.”

If someone is to ever challenge his decades-old marks, the mild-mannered Watson shrugs his shoulders as if to say, “So be it.”

“I’ve been waiting more than 40 years for someone to break my record,” Watson said with a friendly chuckle.

Through VCU’s first 15 games, Ward was averaging 2.4 blocks per game while logging just 17.7 minutes a night for Coach Mike Rhoades.

The sophomore was second in the Atlantic-10 Conference behind George Mason University’s A.J. Wilson, who was averaging 2.7 blocks in 23.5 minutes an outing.

The quick-off- his-feet Ward, with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, may be a candidate for the A-10 All-Defensive team even though he doesn’t rank in the Top 100 in minutes played. Mostly he comes off the bench with high energy to spell senior Corey Douglas — with 24 blocks — on the low post.

As part of the Rams’ revered “Bench Bunch,” Ward also averages 6 points and 4.6 rebounds. He is hitting 60 percent from the floor, much of it from point-blank range, and 80 percent at the foul line.

“The Warden” had a season-best five blocks in the Rams’ 66-43 win on Jan. 23 against defending A-10 champ University of Dayton.

There’s plenty of intimidation — and sometimes embarrassment — associated with facing shot blockers. Players tend to adjust their shots or choose to pass off or dribble away.

You don’t want to feel the wrath of “The Warden.”

Rams opponents were hitting just .398 from the floor after 15 games compared to .459 for the Rams.

Heading toward the 2019-20 season, VCU had maximized its scholarship limit of 13, meaning no room for Ward. That changed when Florida native Sean Mobley announced he was transferring from VCU to the University of Central Florida. Mobley had started 23 of 30 games his sophomore season in 2018-19.

Ward also was pursued by the likes of Rutgers, University of Georgia and University of Massachusetts.

Watson was recruited to VCU by former Coach Chuck Noe out of Buckingham High School after leading the Knights to the 1976 Group A state title. The recruitment had a few twists and turns.

“At first, I committed to VCU but then I changed my mind and told the JMU coach (Lou Campanelli) I was com- ing there,” Watson recalled. “Once Coach Noe heard about it, it only took him about two hours to drive to my house. He came with Bernard Harris (former VCU center), with Bernard driving.” For his 104- game career with the Rams, Wat- son averaged 12.1 points and 11.0 re- bounds, peaking at 15.5 points and 12.5 boards as a senior. The Ren Watson basketball story didn’t end with his final game, an N.I.T. loss at Detroit in 1979. Watson joined the VCU Police Department following graduation and quickly ascended to the rank of lieutenant.

Among his assignments was sitting behind the visiting team in full police gear at Siegel Center games, making sure no passionate Rams fan got out of hand.

“I don’t remember anyone throwing anything. Most of the problems were with our band,” The Peppas, he said. “They’d get on the other team’s coach pretty bad, saying things that weren’t appropriate. That’s something I’d try and stop.”

Funny how things work out. As a player, Ren Watson did everything he could to make life miserable on the opposition.

As an adult professional, he did all he could to make VCU’s visitors feel safe and at home.