The Lady Indians are fresh off the best season in school history. One that culminated with an Elite 8 appearance and a region championship, both firsts for the Tallulah Falls girls basketball program. That all came under first-year head coach Lowell Hamilton, a former McDonald’s All-American and legendary college player! Hamilton has lost some talented players from last year, but returns a few that played big minutes last year including Denika Lightbourne.

HEAD COACH: Lowell Hamilton (2nd Season)
2021-22 RECORD: 15-5, Region 8-A Private Champions, 1A Elite 8, #7 State Ranking
RETURNING STARTERS: 1. Denika Lightbourne
KEY DEPARTURES: Macy Murdock, Barrett Whitener, Veronaye Charlton (transferred out)
KEY PLAYERS: Denika Lightbourne, Haygen James, Allie Phasavang, Tanisha Seymour, Miracle Bain, Nahia Fresno Suarez, Breelyn Wood, Tiana Bojovic (transfer), FR Emily Cai
OFFENSE: “We must wait and see,” says Hamilton of what the offense will look like. Lightbourne will certainly be the leading scorer.
STRENGTHS: “Playing hard,” adds Hamilton.
BIGGEST CHALLENGES: “Must wait and see,” adds Hamilton once again.

Point blank, the Lady Indians will have some growing pains early on as longtime point guard Veronaye Charlton is gone. Lightbourne will shine offensively, and there was plenty to like last year in now-sophomores Haygen James and Breelyn Wood. Several will have to step up this year, and there is an immediate opening for a scoring threat behind Lightbourne. Moving into the all-new Region 8-A DI with reigning state champions Elbert County and runner-up Rabun County, as well as Final 4 contestants Commerce is a daunting task. But all TFS can control is itself. That’s the goal.

“Being the best ‘us’ we can be,” says Hamilton of the team’s expectations for 2022-23.