The South Warren boys’ basketball team is still looking to jump that hurdle.

The Spartans have winning seasons in four of the last five seasons, including 35 wins total in Carlos Quarles’ first two seasons as head coach. Even with all the success, one thing has eluded the program – a trip to the Region 4 Tournament.

Bowling Green and Warren Central have been the roadblock to that task – with South Warren 1-64 all-time against the Purples and Dragons.

South Warren will take another shot at making history, but once again knows that BG and Central – and an improved Greenwood team – are standing in its way.

“We look at the district like SEC football,” Quarles said. “It is never an easy night. We come to work every day, get better and learn. We try to develop every player in the program. I think if we continue to build, eventually we are going to break through.”

Quarles returns a roster with plenty of experience, but one that will likely take some time to get to full strength. Leading scorer – and the program’s best 3-point shooter of all time – Drew Hudson is gone, but senior point guard Griffin Rardin is back after averaging more than 14 points a night last season.

The Spartans bring back size as well, starting with 6-3 senior forward Bryce Button. Button was third in scoring (11.7 ppg) and second in rebounding (4.2 rpg) last season. Senior forwards Jace Jarvis (6-2) and Thad Hall (6-4) also return, along with 6-3 junior Jaxen Decker.

The Spartans will not be at full strength right away, with Button and Isaiah Bridges still part of the South Warren football team’s deep run in the Class 5A state playoffs.

“We want them to go as far as they can go,” Quarles said. “If they can win a state championship, I will be right there cheering them on. I have faith in the guys that are already in the gym. We have had very physical practices and I am very demanding of them. I have confidence in our entire roster.”

The confidence has Quarles excited about what lies ahead for the Spartans. While beating Bowling Green or Warren Central will likely be the path to get the first region tournament bid, the Spartans appear ready for the challenge.

Quarles said the thing he can guarantee is that his team will be well-prepared for what lies ahead.

“We are just trying to work on our weaknesses and build on our strengths,” Quarles said. “We are going to try to break down each team (we play), figure out how we can exploit them, hide our weaknesses and be successful against them. Make no bones about it, we go in confident in every game. We are going to go in prepared. South is not going to be an easy game for anybody.”