A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE LANDRUM HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2026 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Landrum High girls basketball team of Spartanburg County captured the state title at the state competition held at the Colonial Life arena in Columbia on Thursday, March 5, 2026; and

 

Whereas, to the thrill of their exuberant fans, the Landrum Lady Cardinals defeated a competitive Atlantic Collegiate Academy in a nail-biting 45-43 victory, finishing the season with a 20-7 record and winning the program's first state championship; and

 

Whereas, one of Landrum's 20 wins was the hard-fought Battle of the Border against local rival and class AAAAA Spartanburg High School, 69-61, and another was a commanding 66-47 victory over Andrew Jackson High School, two-time winner of class AA state championship, for the Upper State championship and a bid to the state game; and

 

Whereas, after appearing twice in the last three years in the state championship game, Landrum had the lead at halftime in the title game, 33-22, as Kylie Fortner's 3-pointer ended the second quarter. Atlantic steadily chipped away at the Lady Cavaliers' lead, cutting it to 39-36 heading into the fourth quarter; and

 

Whereas, with 32 seconds left in the game, Landrum led 45-40 on sophomore Delaney Caldwell's free throw. But an Atlantic Armada three-point play cut the lead to 45-43 with 27 seconds left, and Atlantic missed a three-point as time expired; and

 

Whereas, Landrum's Delaney Caldwell led all scorers with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists.  Kylie Fortner added 10 points in the state championship, and earlier in the year, she became the all-time leading scorer for the Lady Cavaliers. Emalynn Bright added 7 points, Hazel Cain 3,  Avery Caldwell 3, Leena Schembra 2, and Sullivan Price 1. Every point in the championship game determined the Lady Cavaliers' state title victory; and

 

Whereas, in a sport that demands speed, stamina, and precision, Head Coach Kali Koenig and her skilled coaching staff maximized their own athletic ability and training to forge a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the court; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciates the pride and recognition that the Landrum basketball players have brought to their school and their community, and the members look forward to following their continued accomplishments in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Landrum High School girls basketball team, coaches, and school officials for an extraordinary season and congratulate them for winning the 2026 South Carolina Class AA State Championship title.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. J. Kegan Flynn, principal, and to Coach Kali Koenig.

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