Lady Spartans look to right the ship & get back to Diddle
By Perry Swack
South Warren Spartans
Record last season: 14-17
Postseason finish: Lost in 14th District Semifinals
South Warren had appeared in six-consecutive 4th Region Tournaments before being ousted by Warren East in the district semifinals last year. The Lady Spartans finished 14-17 in 2019-20, losing ten of their final fourteen games. However, the past is in the past as coach Lane Embry’s club looks to get back to its winning ways and move forward in 2021.
Players to Watch
The Lady Spartans graduated four seniors that played major minutes and made solid contributions over the course of their careers. Forward Karson Deaton returns for South after averaging 4.3 points and 1.8 rebounds a season ago. She will be building off of a district semifinal game in which she scored 11 points in the final game of the season. Junior center Kayla Hoy and junior forward Carrie Enlow are the only other upperclassmen on the roster and will be called upon to provide minutes and production for the Lady Spartans this year.
X-Factors
There are eight sophomores and nine freshmen listed on the varsity roster meaning we may see a number of players surprise with big seasons for Emby and company. Gracie Hodges averaged 2.3 points and 2.1 rebounds while appearing in nearly every game last year. Sophomore Hannah Jackson will also be given an opportunity to play this season after appearing in 15 games in 2019-20.
Dates to Circle
January 19 @ Bowling Green – A road date at Bowling Green will show us exactly where South Warren is compared to the cream of the crop
February 5 @ Greenwood – Lady Spartans travel to Greenwood for a big matchup that will have district seeding ramifications
February 19 vs. Warren East – South will host East in the final district game of the season – these two teams were the #2 and #3 seeds a season ago
