Season Preview: Boys Basketball
Indians set to follow up surprise Elite 8 run
A surprise Elite 8 run a year ago for the Indians came with an overall record of 16-12. Tallulah Falls finished third in its region before winning the opening playoff game to advance. It was a pleasant run by a team that was overall young and inexperienced going into the season.
Now, TFS has an opportunity to take another step, as nearly every major contributor from last season returns under coach Cody Coleman in his seventh season. The head coach carries an 88-69 overall record, sitting just 12 wins from 100 for his career. He has guided the team to the state playoffs in every season, winning a region title (2020-21) and making a Sweet 16 (2021-22) aside from last year's deep run.
Leading scorer Neyo Bain returns for his senior season after averaging 13.6 points last season, and led the team in assists (93) and steals (70), while finishing second in rebounding (144). Brian Neely (10.5 pts, team-high 181 reb), Todor Stanimirovic (8.6 pts, 120 reb) and Marquis Rolle (5.6 pts) are all back as well, along with Alberto Battino, Judah McIntosh, Bryson Perdue, and others who had solid minutes last year.
Bain (670 career points) closes in on 1,000, which would make him one of only six players in TFS history to do it. He has a chance to make a run at the assists record (257 - Jake Carver '19), as he has 151 entering the season. His 137 steals puts him in a position to also overtake Michael Weidner's ('17) 184 mark.
The Indians open the season with a scrimmage at Franklin (NC) on November 8, with the official season and home opener slated for November 11 against Towns County.
