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Season Recap: Middle School Basketball
Entering 2021-22, Tallulah Falls MS basketball was the team everyone in the Tri-State Conference wanted to beat. Both the girls and boys teams had won back-to-back conference titles. However, both squads had massive turnover on their rosters after last season, as the teams graduated nearly all of their starting and key players.
That didn't keep TFS from being competitive this time around. The boys advanced back to the conference championship, falling to rivals Towns County, while the girls closed the season out with back-to-back wins.
GIRLS
The Lady Indians, under first-year head coach Jennifer Cox, had a roster of unproven and inexperienced players. That group consisted of 4 6th-graders, 4 7th-graders, and 7 8th-graders — many of whom had not played competitively.
In the season-opener, it was clear the girls could compete, as they fell in a tight contest against White Creek. The Lady Indians grabbed their first win a couple of days later at Woody Gap, winning in dominating fashion. The win streak hit 2 when the girls won over Nantahala. Another big win over Woody Gap — by 32 points — came in early January to even the record at 3-3. The girls then dropped 4 of their next 5 games before closing out strong with wins over Nantahala in overtime on the road, and in the season finale at home against Rabun Gap.
All told, the girls finished at 5-7 overall. Several players made huge strides throughout the season, including the usual leading scorers in LB Kafsky, Josie Plaisted, Charlotte Stafford, and Emily Cai.
The latter trio, along with Emma Arden, Lupita Carrillo, Bailey Crumley, and Abby McCoy all move up next year to the high school level. Kafsky, Narissa Dawson, and Emily Shoemaker logged the most minutes of those who should return next season.
BOYS
The Indians wasted no time in proving they were still one of the top teams in the conference. Anthony Cox spearheaded the A-Team, while the B-Team was coached by TFS alum Jake Carver.
Both boys teams opened the season in a jamboree session at Riverside, taking on the host school and Gainesville in half-games. That gave both coaches a great look at their teams. From there, the A-Team raced out to a quick start, beginning with a home win over Riverside.
That jump-started the Indians, who won their next game at Woody Gap before falling at home to non-conference foes Lanier Christian. That loss helped motivate the boys, who won 6 straight games leading up to the first of 3 meetings with Towns County.
The first game against Towns saw Tallulah Falls struggle and earn a loss at home. The team was motivated and made big corrections to avenge the loss just 2 nights later at Towns, as Asa Popham hit a game-winning 3-pointer. Playing for a third time in the week, and second night in a row, TFS dropped a long road game at Highlands. The boys then won the next 2 games, including the home finale against Rabun Gap, to finish the regular season at 9-3 overall.
In the championship game at Towns County, the boys held the lead throughout most of the game until the final 3 minutes. Towns, playing at home, grabbed momentum and overcame a 6-point deficit with back-to-back 3-pointers, ending the game on a run that finished in favor of Towns County.
Despite the tough loss, the Indians had a great season at 9-4, with 6th-grader Macade Huff leading the offense at over 10 points per game. 8th-grader Ethan Wheeler was instrumental in the team's success, as he averaged over 7 points per game. Popham, a 6th-grader, averaged north of 6 points per game as well, and 8th-grade post players Elijah Barker and Bryson Perdue had big seasons as well. Others such as Jackson Savage, Derrick Lane also contributed heavily to the success of the team.
Barker, Merrick Carnes, Griffin Harkness, Kaden Hunter, Perdue, Savage, Rylee Smith, Tate Turpin, and Wheeler all will move up next year, while leading scorers Huff and Popham should return next year with a talented group around them.
The B-Team boys went 5-1 under coach Carver, playing in a jamboree game to open the season as well as having a scrimmage against the Velo Factory at Wilbanks Middle School. The Indians earned home wins over Riverside, White Creek, and Lanier Christian, which was mixed in with a road win at Victory Christian.
Usual suspects that led the B-Team in scoring were Ethan Phasavang, Jack Green, and Isaac Farris. The team was comprised of 9 6th-graders and only 3 7th-graders. Many players contributed heavily, including the aforementioned trio and William NeSmith, Brantley Addison, and Lincoln Hicks.