South Warren 2013/2014

[gold sunrise]

Basketball season for 2013/2014 should provide another exciting year. What should we expect from South Warren? Remember, please be constructive.

[JokersWild24]

Just wondering, but how did the school handle their opening?

 

Some schools play only JV to begin, then transition to varsity later.

 

When did South Warren open and how did their program evolve?

 

Who was their first coach, and has the administration shown a commitment to winning?

 

Where do they draw their student population from as well?

[DragonFire]

Just wondering' date=' but how did the school handle their opening? Some schools play only JV to begin, then transition to varsity later. When did South Warren open and how did their program evolve? Who was their first coach, and has the administration shown a commitment to winning? Where do they draw their student population from as well?[/quote']

 

When I'm not posting on a phone I'll go more in depth, but they began immediately at the varsity level, and it was to date their best team that first year. A couple of key seniors from Greenwood came over that first year and they had a 20 win team out of the gate. They were cursed to have that season while Fant and Behanan were in the district so they failed to advance but still, very good team. Derrick Clubb was their first coach and still is. South Warren has never won a postseason game and has played in the 4/5 game every year since their first.

[DragonFire]

Just wondering, but how did the school handle their opening?

 

Some schools play only JV to begin, then transition to varsity later.

 

When did South Warren open and how did their program evolve?

 

Who was their first coach, and has the administration shown a commitment to winning?

 

Where do they draw their student population from as well?

 

OK, now that I’m able:

 

South Warren opened in fall 2010 and they played a varsity schedule right away for the 2010/11 season. South Warren had some uncommon advantages for a school just starting as they actually had four seniors. Most brand new schools formed from another don’t have any seniors because seniors typically are given the choice of whether to stay at the original or go to the new – they usually stay at the original. This happened for a couple of reasons. Greenwood lost what probably would have been their best player Austin Disney to a transfer to Bowling Green following the previous season. Another senior and starter, Lane Embry, was the son of the new South Warren assistant principal (and former boys coach at Greenwood) Blaine Embry, so he obviously was transferring. This was going to leave Greenwood a shell of itself as it was, and a couple of other seniors bailed. Greenwood played the year with only one senior and lost 19 games.

 

That first year South Warren went 19-9, and five of those losses were to Warren Central (x3) and Bowling Green (x2). That was during the senior year of George Fant (WC), Jordan Shanklin (WC), and Chane Behanan (BG). A 19-4 record against everyone else was pretty impressive.

 

South Warren took a big dip the second year, falling to 9-22 and falling more in line with what you’d expect from a second year school. They started with 8 consecutive losses and never recovered, going winless in the district (0-10). They bounced back last year to have a winning record at 16-14, and had strong showings against regular season district champion Warren East twice (losing by 1 & 5), Bowling Green in their first meeting (losing by 5), and Warren Central in their second meeting (losing by 7). But they still missed out on winning their first postseason game when they lost to Greenwood in the district quarterfinals by 2, a team they’d swept by a combined 35 points in the regular season.

 

That leads to this year, which looks like it should definitely be their best since the first season. They’ve got a top 10 player in the region in F Zach McDaniel and six seniors. Their most talented underclassman is sophomore Bryan Cummings who gave strong minutes last season. The biggest problem for South Warren remains that they play in District 14 and that means butting heads with Warren Central and Bowling Green, two teams considered to be the best in the region. It’s conceivable that much like their first season they’ll dominate everyone else in the region but fall to those two teams, neither of which they’ve ever beaten.

 

South Warren is coached by Derrick Clubb, who has been the coach since the inception of the school. I would definitely say the administration is committed to winning. I believe I heard Otis Key, a Russellville legend (though not as much as his brother Tony), is coaching with the team this year. South Warren has shown a great commitment to all sports by the administration and students alike. So it’s not a lack of effort that will keep them down.

 

Their student population is drawn from the southern portion of the county, bordered by Greenwood to the east and northeast, and Warren Central to the west and northwest. I don’t know if they receive (m)any transfers, as most who do tend to go to Bowling Green or Warren Central.

[JokersWild24]

Appreciate the info. I remember some people mentioning South Warren in the "Sleeping Giants" thread awhile back and wondered what type of program they had. Sounds like the pieces are in place if everyone is patient.