The #9-ranked TFS Indians secured the program’s third Sweet 16 berth with an electrifying 59-39 win over visiting Mt. Bethel on Wednesday in the opening round of the GHSA State Playoffs.
The Indians (20-5) grabbed the win over Mt. Bethel (13-11), clinching the Sweet 16 berth (first since 2016-17) and the 20th win of the season as well. The Indians led from start to finish, though it took awhile for the game’s first basket. Nearly a full 4 minutes into a scoreless game, Charlie Cody splashed a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Moments later, TFS went on an 8-0 run to take control of the game. Devonte Allen’s 3-pointer pushed it to 14-4, as he had 7 points in the quarter.
Up 16-4 into the second, the Indians then rode a 9-0 run and continued to stretch the lead. Anfernee Hanna ignited the packed crowd with a 3-pointer and a slam dunk that got the lead up to 20 at 27-7. The jam forced a timeout, and TFS was up 31-9 at the break, holding Mt. Bethel to single digits in the first half. Both Hanna and Allen paced the offense in the first half with 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Mt. Bethel made the game a little interesting by taking a 26-point deficit down to 13 points midway through the 3rd, but Gavin Page and Hanna connected on back-to-back triples to pump the lead back to 45-26. Page, who was held scoreless in the first half, had all of his 14 points in the second half, and made good on 4 trifectas. The Indians held a comfortable 19-point margin at 45-26 going into the final period. Page dropped in a pair from beyond the arc in the final quarter to staple down the win.
Hanna led in scoring with 18 points, while Allen had 17 and Page 14. Milos Vico finished with 4 points, Cody had 3, Lincoln Hall 2, and KC Respress one point in the win.
The 20-win season and Sweet 16 berth are the third time achieving those feats in school history. TFS will take on the winner of the #1 Greenforest vs #4 Brookstone game. If Greenforest wins, they will host in the second round. If Brookstone wins that matchup, the Indians will host again.
