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LANDRUM–The Landrum varsity basketball teams advanced to the second round of the 2A SCHL State Tournament earlier in the week, only to be eliminated over the weekend in a pair of tough losses. 

 

Playing at home, the Landrum Cardinals (24-4, 10-0) held a six-point lead at the end of the 3rd quarter, but were outscored in the 4th and fell to the Columbia Capitals (17-11, 3-5) in a 57-54 loss. 

 

All-State performer Franklin Davis, who finished the season averaging 20.4 points per game, had another big game, but it wasn’t enough in the end. The Cardinals fought back from an early 8-0 deficit and took the lead early in the 2nd quarter, but a 4th quarter run and solid defense by the Capitals saw their 54-51 lead evaporate in the final minutes. 

 

The loss ended Coach Lyn Smith’s team’s hopes of repeating as Upper State Champions. Still, the Cardinals had an impressive season, winning the undisputed 2A Region 1 title, and will look to return a majority of their starters next year. 

 

The Landrum Lady Cardinals (18-7, 8-2) lost 57-39 in a neutral-site game to one of the hottest teams in 2A, the Silver Bluff Lady Bulldogs (19-3, 8-0). The Lady Cards were led in scoring by their All-State award-winner, freshmen Kylie Fortner, who had 13 points. Junior Kaylee Cortez added 11 points, along with juniors Savannah Brown and Naomi Correia with 6 points each. 

 

Coach Jared St. Charles’s team had a strong season sharing the 2A Region 1 title, and like the boy’s team, looks to return a majority of their starters for next season.