News & Announcements
State Playoff Preview: Varsity Boys & Girls Basketball
Both the Lady Indians and Indians basketball teams are set to open their GHSA State Tournaments on Wednesday, February 22 on the road, with the boys set to travel to Chattooga, and the girls to Darlington.
Lady Indians @ Darlington | Wednesday, February 22 - 5:30 PM
The girls are 8-16 overall on the season, but have had one of the tougher schedules in the state. Playing in Region 8-A DI alongside last year's Class 2A State Champions Elbert County and Runner-Up Rabun County are just two examples of the teams that TFS had to go up against regularly.
Previously ranked #6 in the state, the Lady Indians have had to fight to get into a position going into the region tournament for a 3rd-seed. Athens Christian played spoiler in the region consolation game, forcing TFS to a 4th-seed in the state tournament. Now there, the Lady Indians go up against #8-ranked Darlington (22-5).
While Darlington presents a huge challenge, TFS has one of the state's top players in Denika Lightbourne, and a solid group around her that will need to contribute heavily in this first-round contest. Darlington boasts an offense that averages 52.4 points per game, and a defense that is stingy at 33 points per game allowed. The Lady Tiges carry a 4-game win streak, including a region championship, into this game. Darlington is a perfect 8-0 on the home court. All-Region and senior talents Georgeanna Dempsey and JyJy Johnson are the key players in the lineup. Johnson is a near 6-footer who will provide a big challenge down low.
Meanwhile, the Lady Indians (51.1 per game offensively & 60.5 allowed) are led by Lightbourne (Region 8-A DI Player of the Year). She averages 23.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.4 steals per game. Her 581 points to date are the most in a single-season in school history, and she is the all-time leader in assists, steals, and blocks. Lightbourne now has north of 1,500 career points, and well over 500 rebounds. She's joined by Tanisha Seymour, Breelyn Wood, Allie Phasavang, and Molly Mitchell as the usual starting cast. All have had success this season, and Haygen James, who missed much of the season to injury, will be a factor as well.
Indians @ Chattooga | Wednesday, February 22 - 7:30 PM
The Indians are coming into the tournament on the heels of a refreshing win over Elbert County in the Region 8-A DI consolation game. TFS sports a 17-9 overall record, and were ranked in the state polls for a good part of the season, peaking at #5 early on. Several of the team's losses have been close contests where the opposition mounted a fourth-quarter comeback.
Now in the playoffs for the fourth straight season, the Indians are looking to advance to their fourth-ever Sweet 16. The boys will travel to Chattooga, a #2-seed from Region 7-A DI and are state-ranked at #9 overall. Also dubbed the Indians, Chattooga is a 17-9 team that has gone 6-2 on the home court and average 64 points per game while allowing about 52. Chattooga is guided by 1st-Team All-Region members sophomore Dan Meyer and senior Trey Smith. This team has great height, with seven players listed at 6-foot or taller, including a pair of 6'7 guys Brady Groce and Koi Dodd. Tequarius Gibson and Bowdon Heathcock are also All-Region selections for this loaded team.
Tallulah Falls relies heavily on a large senior group, led by the school's all-time winningest player in Anfernee Hanna. Hanna averages a team-best in points (18.7), rebounds (8.0), assists (2.7), and total blocks (22). He shoots 53% from the floor and has 128 made free throws (single-season school record). Hanna was named All-Region and this season eclipsed 1,000 career points and has over 500 rebounds as well. Fellow senior Vlad Popescu has 60 made 3-pointers, shooting 36% from deep while earning All-Region status. Others such as seniors Lincoln Hall, Diego Crotta, Krystian Jankiewicz, and junior Zakhar Valasiuk are the typical players in the lineup.