Denmark-Olar’s fans came in droves. Some rode in church vans to see their Lady Vikings win on the road in the third round of the state playoffs 64-49.
The Lady Vikings used a 14-2 run at the start of the third quarter to deflate the Lady Cardinals’ dreams of playing at the Bilo Center for the Upper State Championship.
Landrum was going toe-to-toe with the Lady Viking speedsters up until that point. Despite Denmark-Olar’s five 3-pointers in the first half, Landrum was down just 29-24 going into the half.
Taylor Jenkins had seven of her game-high 17 points to lead the Lady Cardinals.
The Lady Vikings didn’t want to rely on the 3-pointers in the second half though.
“Our goal for the second was getting in the paint,” Head Coach Ashley Patterson said. “Our ability to push the ball and rebound was our strength tonight.”
By the end of the third quarter the Lady Vikings were up 45-31 and you could sense the anticipation for some of that Lady Cardinal magic that had become commonplace down the stretch of ball games late in the season.
For a brief moment it looked like it might happen. Jenkins scored five straight points at the start of the fourth quarter, but that was the biggest spurt the Lady Cardinals had. The Lady Vikings pulled away.
Je’Nayah Moore led the Lady Vikings with 16 points. Jasmine Daniels and Ta’Asia Wright were also in double-digits with 14 and 13 points respectively.
“I knew this was going to be a tough game,” Brice said. “They never quit. I’m just proud of them and that’s the bottom line.”
The Lady Cardinals were projected second in their region this year so they were slight underdogs as a No. 1 seed in the playoffs and that’s something Brice isn’t overlooking.
“To be as young as they are and to peak right here at the end of the season says something,” he said.