Landrum 45 – Atlantic Collegiate 43
by Chris Dearing
COLONIAL LIFE ARENA
- Sophomore Delaney Caldwell scored 19 points, including the last two points, to lead Landrum to its first ever state championship in girls’ basketball with a 45-43 victory over Atlantic Collegiate Thursday afternoon in Class 2A.
- “Oh my gosh, this is just amazing,” Landrum coach Kali Koenig said. “I really don’t know what to say or have words. I’m speechless. It’s been an unbelievable road.”
- Koenig lost her father in early February and the remainder of the season was dedicated to him.
- Caldwell made one free throw with 2:21 remaining and added another with 32 seconds left to provide the winning margin. The Cardinals (26-7) held a double-digit lead at the half, 33-22 but saw The Armada (23-4) trim it to three points, 39-36, entering the fourth quarter.
- Atlantic Collegiate had several opportunities to cut into the deficit and had one final chance to force overtime or win it in regulation but a 3-pointer from the corner was off the back rim at the buzzer.
- Kylie Fortner chipped in with 10 points and Caldwell added 12 rebounds and six assists to her stat line. Atlantic Collegiate was led by Micah Davis with 13 points.
- Landrum was in the state championship for the second time in three seasons. They lost to Andrew Jackson in 2024, but this was their first championship. Atlantic Collegiate was playing in its first state championship.