After getting back to the Region 4 Tournament last season, the South Warren girls’ basketball team looks to build off that success in 2024-25.

Despite losing some key pieces, South Warren returns a nice core – led by its two best offensive players – and some infusion of youth that has the Spartans looking to make a deep postseason run.

“We lost some important pieces, especially defensively,” South Warren coach Lane Embry said. “We lost four seniors and all of them were good defenders, solid players and good teammates. That will be a little tough to replace, but we’ve got some kids that I think are ready to step up in those roles and some kids who are pretty fearless.”

South Warren returns junior McLaine Hudson, who led the team averaging nearly 17 points a night, and freshman Jooniper Strow, who was second on the team in scoring as an eighth grader last season.

Embry said he is excited to see that duo take the next step together.

“We are excited to see what they can do this year,” Embry said. “They worked a little bit together last year in really their first full year playing together and I think that will just build this year. It’s nice to have experience back. Not just with those two, but also with (seniors Ashley Overbay and Jenna Lindsey) who played a lot of big minutes as well.”

In addition to Overbay and Lindsey, seniors ready to take leadership roles, South Warren returns sophomore center Averi Fugate – who only appeared in six games before suffering a stress fracture.

Juniors Tania Osborne and Ja’Miah Daniels will look to provide depth, while freshmen Keegan Pruitt and Karis Pruitt are expected to be in the mix in the backcourt.

“There are quite a few young faces that I think will get a lot of minutes this year,” Embry said. “I am excited to see how some of them develop. It will be a learning curve early on to see how varsity ball is played, but with JV and varsity play this year I think we will have some kids that will really be able to make a big difference by February.”

And if the pieces can come together, Embry said the talent is there to challenge for the district and region as well.

“Bowling Green has been really dominant,” Embry said. “Coach (Calvin) Head has done a great job with them. They will still be solid. It will still be a tough battle with them. Greenwood had some pretty good young kids last year that we saw play as well. It will be a battle getting out of the district and I just see a lot of even teams throughout the region. Every district there are at least a couple of teams that can make a run. I think that is a fun way for it to be.”