Athletics News
Season Preview: Girls Basketball
Tallulah Falls must find its identity quickly in 2023-24. After seeing the best player in school history move on to the D-I level in Denika Lightbourne, that means the Lady Indians are forced to replace a huge chunk of their offensive output. Lightbourne scored a school record 598 points (23.9 per game) last year and had 1,569 career points and 652 rebounds. She leaves behind big shoes to fill, but the strength will be in experience.
That starts with returning starters Breelyn Wood, Molly Mitchell, Allie Phasavang, and Haygen James. That quartet will get more opportunities to showcase their talents this winter, along with newly-named starter Millie Holcomb. Mitchell and Phasavang are joined by Adrijana Albijanic as the seniors. Albijanic will have a chance to have a breakout year. Wood and James have a good amount of varsity starting experience, and Holcomb is another key junior on the roster. The roster is rounded out with freshmen LB Kafsky, Gracey Eller, and Joanna Molodynska, all of whom will play some on JV as well.
Overall, the Lady Indians were state-ranked last season with an extremely difficult schedule, and yet found a path to the state tournament for the fifth straight season. The offense will be patient and look for good scoring opportunities.
“We have experience, and we will play hard every play,” says coach Lowell Hamilton.
TFS will open the season in a non-counting scrimmage at rivals Rabun Gap on November 7, while officially tipping off the season with a home game on November 10 against Lanier Christian Academy.