TFS Basketball splits with Elbert Co. in Friday Region Action

It was a long time coming, but the #9-ranked Tallulah Falls School (TFS) Indians secured a 54-50 home win Friday night over Elbert County to bring a 3-game losing streak to a halt, reports TFS Athletics.  In the process, Anfernee Hanna collected his 62nd win, making him alone as the all-time winningest player in school history, as he was previously tied with Jake Carver with 61.  TFS led 13-8 after one behind a pair of trifectas from Vlad Popescu. In the second, Tallulah Falls fell behind before a late surge that was highlighted by a slam dunk by Hanna for the 26-19 lead. The Indians led 28-19 at the break.  It was 41-36, a slim lead for the Indians heading into the final period. Elbert took the lead about midway through the quarter until Hanna hit the go-ahead putback with 3:12 remaining to put TFS up 46-45. He hit another layup and the Indians made good on some free throws down the stretch to seal the win.  The Indians are now 14-5 overall and 3-2 in region play.  Hanna led in scoring with 17 points, while Popescu had 15. Krystian Jankiewicz had 7 points, Diego Crotta and Zakhar Valasiuk had 5 points apiece, and Lincoln Hall 4 points.  The TFS Lady Indians found themselves on the wrong side of a 73-55 defeat at home Friday night against #3-ranked Elbert County.  TFS held close at 21-15 after the first quarter before Elbert County pulled off a 22-4 second quarter to take commanding lead. The Lady Indians trailed 43-19 at the half, but outscored the Lady Blue Devils 19-9 in the third.  Denika Lightbourne tallied a team-high 25 points, while Molly Mitchell had 12 points and Breelyn Wood 10 in the loss. Tanisha Seymour added 8 points.  TFS is now 6-13 overall and 2-3 in region play.