BOYS
The Indians were up 11 points going into the final quarter – and led by as many as 14 – before Prince Avenue kept TFS off the board the rest of the way in a 50-49 heartbreaking loss Saturday at home.
#4-ranked TFS opened a quick 9-4 lead in the opening quarter, as Diego Crotta scored a pair of 3-pointers in the first. Vlad Popescu added a triple of his own as Tallulah Falls was up 17-12 at the end of the first.
A couple of beautiful passes by Anfernee Hanna to a cutting Lincoln Hall led to a 9-2 TFS run that had the Indians up 21-14, which generated a timeout by Prince Avenue. Krystian Jankiewicz connected from beyond the arc, and a Hall steal and layup had the Indians holding a 10-point lead. PAC battled back to within five, but Crotta nailed his third 3-pointer of the game just before the buzzer as TFS held a 32-25 lead at the break.
The Indians heated up in the third, as Popescu hit his second 3-pointer and stretched the lead to 14. Prince Avenue stormed back, though a Hall 3-pointer ended the quarter on a good note. The Indians were up 49-38, an 11-point advantage, heading into the final frame. From there, they didn’t get another point, as the visitors mounted a memorable comeback. TFS had a chance down one with 4 seconds to go but couldn’t get off the final shot.
The loss snaps a 6-game win streak for the Indians, who are now 13-3 overall on the season.
Crotta led with 13 points, including 11 in the first half. Popescu had 12 points and Hanna 10, while Hall recorded 9 points. Jankiewicz had 3 points and Zakhar Valasiuk 2.
GIRLS
The Lady Indians dropped a non-region contest Saturday at home against Prince Avenue Christian, 52-31.
TFS fell behind 15-9 after one, and trailed the Wolverines 22-15 at the half. From there, the visitors went on a 15-4 run in the third to put the game out of reach.
Breelyn Wood secured a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Denika Lightbourne had 8 points, Tanisha Seymour 6, Molly Mitchell 5, and Allie Phasavang 2.
TFS is now 5-11 overall on the season.
