The TFS Indians shook off a Thursday loss by taking a decisive win over Athens Academy at home on Friday night, 50-39.
Sammy Davis dropped in 10 first quarter points, the first 10 for TFS, to race out to a 10-1 lead. The Indians went ahead 13-7 after one. Athens Academy reeled off a string of baskets, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, to go ahead 25-24 heading into the break.
The lead changed hands many times in the third, but ultimately TFS outscored the visitors 18-13 to take a 43-37 lead into the final quarter. The third was highlighted by a breakaway dunk by Anfernee Hanna. In a low-scoring fourth quarter, the Indians nailed down the win.
Davis paced the offense with 17 points, while Devonte Allen scored 14 and Hanna 11. Gabe Keene added five and Charlie Cody three for the Indians.
TFS is now 14-4 overall and 8-0 in region play. The boys play again February 2 at home against George Walton.
Lady Indians earn pivotal win
The Lady Indians slammed the brakes on a two-game losing skid, earning a momentum-grabbing 48-37 region win over #10-ranked Athens Academy. Despite losing to the same team by eight last time they squared off, TFS made sure to even the score in a home game on Friday night.
Denika Lightbourne came out strong with an 11-point first quarter to lift TFS to a 16-8 lead after the first. The Lady Indians took the early lead behind Lightbourne’s driving layups and smothering defense. Both teams traded baskets throughout the second, in which the visitors pulled a little closer to the tune of a TFS 24-17 lead.
Athens Academy stormed back from as many as nine points down to claim a share of the lead at 31-all late in the third before TFS put some distance between the teams. Heading into the fourth, the Lady Indians held a five-point lead at 36-31.
Veronaye Charlton hit a big 3-pointer to open the fourth and make it an 8-point lead, then hit another to stretch it to 10 a couple minutes later. Athens Academy made a late rally, but TFS held on for the pivotal region win.
Lightbourne led the Lady Indians with 17 points, while Charlton finished with 15, including draining three from beyond the arc. Katy Corbett collected eight points, Abby Carlan five, and Iray Adeleke three in the win.
TFS is now 12-6, including 5-1 in region play. The girls return to the court on Saturday at Landmark Christian.
