JV Girls & Boys
The JV basketball teams are ready for tip-off for the 2023-24 season. As usual, the rosters are brimming with players eager to improve their game in preparation for being part of the varsity squads in the not-too-distant future.
The Indians had an incredible lineup last season that produced a 16-2 overall record, with nearly every win being by 10 or more points. They had a 7- and 9-game win streak throughout. Still, top scorers Hayden Bootle and Jay Taylor moved to the varsity level, as well as players such as Neyo Bain and De’veon Allen.
That brings a new look to the team this time around. Juniors Ivo Dorkovic, Tommaso Spagliardi, Jovan Pavlicic, Maksim Djogo, and Thomas Bogusevicius will be relied on for leadership, and sophomores Kaden Hunter, Bryson Perdue, Allen, and Marquis Rolle will all be getting valuable opportunities. Allen, Rolle, and Perdue, along with freshmen Brian Neely and Todor Stanimirovic, will go back and forth with varsity. Judah McIntosh rounds out the roster, as coach Chip Miller will look to help develop the young talent.
The Lady Indians went 2-6 last year, and coach Jo Kimbrel returns to lead the roster that includes some solid players who moved up from middle school. That includes LB Kafsky and Gracey Eller, along with four new players Carla Guil, Joanna Molodynska, Marian Nino, and Lia Sanjur.
“Marian has stood out to me in ability and being physical,” says Kimbrel. “Joanna has the ability to knock down shots, and Lia has nice handles with the ball.”
Kimbrel’s expectations for the team is clearly building toward something better.
“We want to get better every game and practice, with an idea to lay a foundation for the future,” adds Kimbrel. “With small numbers, they are going to need to work together and play smart basketball.”
The JV teams open the season against Lanier Christian Academy at home on November 10.
JV BOYS ROSTER | JV GIRLS ROSTER
MS Girls & Boys
The MS basketball teams are nearing the opening tip for the 2023-24 season. Both the girls and boys feature rosters with several returning key players.
The Indians are coming off a Tri-State Championship and a 10-3 record under coach Nathan Stanley. The boys return one of the team’s top scorers in eighth-grader Asa Popham, and fellow classmate Brantley Addison and seventh-grader Grantley Smith are back as well.
The roster for the A-Team contains several eighth-graders with lots of experience, including Popham, Addison, Lincoln Hicks, Ethan Phasavang, and Jackson Crumley. The seventh-graders on the A-Team include Smith, Woods Irvin, and Emmanuel Heyl. Noah Randall and West Ridlehoover are sixth-graders who will get time as well.
“No one man is bigger than the team,” says Stanley. “We are creating a Brotherhood/Family mentality within our middle school basketball program. Brothers may fight, but they always know they have each other’s back and are pushing the other to be the best version of himself every day.”
The B-Team, which played only four games last season, is young with six sixth-graders, five seventh-graders, and three eighth-graders.
“We feel pretty good about this season,” adds Stanley. “Coming off a championship the previous season brings excitement to the program. We have some young players moving into the rotation on the A-Team this season who will have opportunities to impact the team right now. It is a great time to be a part of Tallulah Falls basketball. We look forward to competing for a chance at the championship again. The B-Team is looking stronger this year with more developed leaders after spending a year with the team already.”
The Lady Indians are under the direction of Jenny Long, who takes over a team that went 7-7 and advanced to the semifinals of the Tri-State tournament. That came with three wins over rivals Rabun Gap.
Only three players off last year’s team moved to the high school level, and talented players such as Nora Mitchell, Handley James, Linda White, and Payton McEntire are all back as featured players from last season.
Despite the returning talent, it’s still a fairly young group comprised of three eighth graders – Sofia Alderfer, McEntire, and White; five seventh graders – McKenzie McCoy, Emily Savage, Mitchell, Mia Kerr, and James. The roster includes four sixth graders in Elizabeth Hilson, Kristine Malik, Kourtney Hunter, and Lily Denard.
“I’m really excited about the upcoming basketball season,” says Long. “We’ve got a great group of young ladies that aren’t afraid to work hard and be physical. They are very coachable and really enjoy playing with each other. I love the effort and enthusiasm they bring each and every day to practice. I think they are going to be a lot of fun to watch and I can’t wait to see how much growth this team experiences over the course of the season.”
The Indians (both A- and B-Team) and Lady Indians open the schedule on November 7 at home against Stephens County.
MS BOYS ROSTER | MS GIRLS ROSTER
