With a second place region finish under their belts, Landrum’s women’s basketball team hosts Saluda (S.C.) in this evening’s first round of state AA playoffs.

The Cardinals earned that home-court appearance by knocking off visiting Blacksburg, 75-42, on Thursday, Feb. 9.

For the regular season, coach Deon Brice’s team carved out a 20-3 overall record, with an 8-2 region mark. Only Christ Church Episcopal, at 1-0 in the region bested the Cardinals, winning both games between the two schools. Cherokee, the only other squad to top the Cardinals in the regular season, is not in the region, but both Cherokee and CCE gave the Cardinals a taste of what playoffs would be like.

Last Thursday, Blacksburg’s Wildcats led, 14-13, after the first quarter, but from there, it was the Cardinals’ game, as they outscored the visitors, 16-10, 25-13, and 21-5 in the second through fourth periods.

Lindsey Hardin’s three-pointer gave the Cardinals a 34-24 lead early in the third period. Hardin led all scorers with 22 points, including four threes, mostly from the baseline. Sarah Harris added 14 points for the Cardinals, with Kaylee Huntley (12), Ellen Boatwright (10), Alyssa David (seven), Sara Price (seven) and Bailey Butler (three) filling out the 75 points.