Despite their difference in enrollment size, Todd County Central and South Warren have built a nice little rivalry that began a dozen years ago. Four of the previous 12 meetings were decided by 10 or fewer points and last year’s game was won by Todd Central in overtime.
Now throw in Carlos Quarles, who took over the South Warren coaching position after several years at Todd’s rival Russellville.
Quarles and Spartans led for nearly the entire game Monday and handed Todd Central a 55-44 loss at Rebel Gym.
The Rebels were mistake-prone early, with nine first quarter turnovers helping South Warren jump out to a 9-1 lead and a 14-9 advantage after one quarter.
Preston Rager and Jamison Glass each scored 10 points in the second quarter as the Rebels got to within one point at halftime. Perez Whitlock’s jumper with 1:50 left in the quarter gave the Rebels their only lead of the game at 21-20.
The turnover bug bit the Rebels again in the third quarter as six turnovers led to 10 of the 12 points the Spartans scored. Up 34-27 after three quarters, Drew Hudson found his range and shot the Spartans to a double-digit lead. The junior hit three 3-pointers in the final quarter, hit five in the game, and finished with a team-high 18 points.
South Warren hit 6 of 7 free throws in the fourth quarter to seal the win. The Spartans were 6 of 18 at the line through three quarters.
Brandon Rowe joined Hudson in double figures with 13 points.
Glass led Todd Central with 20 points. Trayvon Foster added nine points as only the five starters scored for the Rebels.
Todd Central finished with 19 turnovers and was just 7 of 17 at the free throw line.
South Warren now leads the all-time series with Todd 9-4.
Todd County Central will host Montgomery Central, Tenn. Tuesday at Rebel Gym.
South Warren 14 8 12 21– 55
Todd Central 9 12 6 17– 44
South Warren (1-0) – Hudson 18, Rowe 13, Goley 8, Jointer 5, Parrish 4, Button 3, Smith 2, Linhardt 2
Todd County Central (0-1) – Glass 20, Foster 9, Rager 7, Whitlock 5, Strader 3
