In defeating a highly-athletic and determined Polk County men’s team, 69-53, at Columbus on Friday, Landrum combined discipline and a game plan.

“We had a game plan to contain Jamal (Wheeler),” said Cardinals’ head coach Lyn Smith. “You can’t stop him.”

Smith knows of what he speaks. While the Cardinals did not stop Wheeler (he scored 26 points including two lightning-fast jams), they did keep him from controlling the tempo of the game.

The Cardinals are 1-1, after only their second game of the season. They lost to West Oak, 74-65, on Dec. 1.

“This is one of the best games of the year,” Smith acknowledged of the intense rivalry between the Cardinals and Wolverines.

Polk head coach Josh McEntire found no fault with his team’s effort. “We came out tonight and played with passion, and played with energy. They made their open looks. We missed our open looks. Missed free throws, and missed open shots was the difference.”

“I thought our effort for 90 percent of the game was great,” McEntire noted.

Indeed, Polk led, 32-30 at the half, compliments of Wheeler’s very long three-pointer at the buzzer. In the third quarter, Landrum was able to build a solid lead, as the Wolverines showed signs of tiring.

McEntire said he blamed himself, as Polk traveled to Brevard the night before and stopped the Blue Devils, 65-56. But, there was method to the scheduling. McEntire wanted to prep his team for back-to-back conference games.

In spite of the Wolverines playing the first half like their tails were on fire, Landrum built early leads of 9-2, 13-5, and 16-7 (on Jacob Corn’s three-pointer), before Polk tightened the score. Wheeler’s first jam cut the Cardinal lead to 16-12; his second cut the lead to 18-16.

After Landrum’s Trey Smith and Polk’s James Wingo each nailed three-pointers, Wheeler’s three gave Polk its first lead at 29-26.

Corn’s 19 points led the Cardinals, followed by Foster Bridges (14), Trey Smith (13), Andrew Mitchell (eight), Payton McCullough (eight) and Rhyan Schulman (seven). Smith’s five steals, and Corn’s four, accounted for most of Landrum’s larceny on the court.

For Polk, Wingo added 14 points. After three periods, Landrum led, 51-39.

Polk is 2-2 overall.

Next up for the Wolverines is a visit to East Henderson Tuesday evening. On Friday, Dec. 11, they visit Madison, for their first conference action of the season. On Dec. 15, they’re at Mitchell, and are back on the home hardwood Dec. 18, hosting Mountain Heritage, their third conference rival in as many games.

On Tuesday evening, the Cardinals host Greer Middle College. On Dec. 15, they host conference rival Chesnee. They visit Pendleton, another conference team, on Dec. 18.