JV JUNIOR VARSITY BASKETBALL

If 2023 is any sign of the future, there’s little doubt in what could be coming to the varsity level soon. The Junior Varsity boys basketball team, brimming with young talent, showed the ability as individuals and as a team to have success while preparing for the next level.

The JV Indians boasted a 16-2 overall record under head coach Matt Crotta. The boys were dominant. Of the 16 victories, only three were within 10 points. Typically, the Indians would roll past opponents. However, they still showed the ability to win the close ones, and even the two losses were by a combined 12 points.

The Indians opened the season with a seven-game winning streak before suffering their first loss on the final game in calendar year 2022. Coming out of the break, the Indians reeled off a nine-game winning streak before dropping the season finale by a mere two points.

Throughout the season, sophomore Andrija Vujacic proved to be a legit threat for his future in the program. He consistently led the team on the court, and other sophomores such as Hayden Bootle, Jay Taylor, and Teryk Tilley were consistently among the scoring leaders. Several freshmen gained valuable experience, and Timothy Bain occasionally led the team in scoring as well.

The Junior Varsity Lady Indians had far fewer opportunities on the hardwood in 2022-23 than their counterparts, but still made the most of them. TFS, under coach Jo Kimbrel, finished the season with a 2-6 overall mark. After not getting to play until December 3 against White County, the girls lost their first game.

Another loss came a week later to Oglethorpe County, but those two contests were the only games TFS got to play in 2022. When the calendar turned to 2023, it carried with it the opportunity to play more and show that the team had improved.

A loss to Rabun in late January was followed by a great effort in a loss to Elbert. Both tremendous programs, and the trajectory was there for the Lady Indians as proof of the improvement. Then came a pair of back-to-back wins over Monsignor Donovan in which TFS outscored them 105-10. Those wins bookended a stellar four-point loss to Commerce in a solid effort. The girls closed the season with just a three-point loss to Rabun, marking a huge improvement over the previous meeting.

The Lady Indians featured several standouts, including Tiana Bojovic, Adrijana Albijanic, Lana Malbaski, Kovanne Strachen, and Pola Pilicka. That quintet regularly paced the offense in scoring, and players such as Millie Holcomb, Lupita Carillo, Emily Cai, and Ashlyn Cleveland all increased their experience and skill set.