STATE CHAMPION

Madison Dampier 100 Fly

Aconference semifinals run was the mark of an improved Lady Indians Middle School team in 2022-23. After suffering through growing pains last year with a young and inexperienced roster, this year’s group took the next step in being a competitive team each night they took the court.

The result was a deep Tri-State Conference tournament run that ended in the semifinals to Towns County. The Lady Indians polished off the season with a respectable 7-7 record overall. That included two wins each against Woody Gap, River Christian, and rival Rabun Gap. One of the high points for this group was a 3-game winning streak after beating River Christian on December 2, Rabun Gap on December 5, and Woody Gap on December 6.

Once in the Tri-State tournament, TFS earned a first round win over Rabun Gap, marking its third win over the rivals in the season. The season ended with a loss to Towns County.

Several girls stood out this season, while notable leading scorers included Handley James, LB Kafsky, Nora Mitchell, Linda White, and Payton McEntire. With only three players moving to high school next year, the team should be in great shape having a chance to play for the conference title next season.

For the second time in three years, the MS Indians earned a TriState Conference Championship. The Indians avenged last year’s heartbreaking loss with a win at Towns County. Same two teams, same court, different result.

After both teams earned home wins against the other this year, the finals would be held in Hiawassee. It marked the same place and setup as last season, where TFS saw a late lead vanish in the title game loss. This time, a huge second half propelled the Indians to the championship.

It capped a fantastic season for the Indians under first-year head coach Nathan Stanley, as the boys marched through the schedule with a 10-3 record. Early on, the dominance of the team was on display when the 2022 portion of the season produced a 5-0 mark.

A road loss on January 5 at Towns County was their first slip-up and evened the regular season series between the teams. The rest of the way, TFS went 5-2.

Brian Neely and Asa Popham routinely led the team in scoring. After earning a first round bye, the Indians downed Highlands at home in the semifinals, setting up the anticipated title rematch with Towns.

Other players who were regularly leading the charge include Ethan Phasavang, Derrick Lane, Brantley Addison, Lincoln Hicks, Isaac Farris, William NeSmith, Jack Greene, and others. Lane, Neely, and NeSmith are three starters who will move into high school next season. But with the return of so many play-makers, it wouldn’t be a suprise to once again see TFS in the same position in 2024.

The boys B-Team played four games this season. It was an opportunity for many players to get their first reps at the middle school level. Players such as Woods Irvin, Ryder Cantrell, Grant Smith, Joshua Newell, and others all fine-tuned their skills as the B-Team Indians went 0-4 on the short season.