Lyn Smith said his Landrum men’s basketball team wants to win the region title this season.

The Cardinals (now 12-3 overall, and 2-0 in the region) made a bold statement Friday, Jan. 12, when they outlasted the visiting St. Joseph’s Catholic Knights, 73-62. The Knights are the reigning region champs.

The Cardinals now control their destiny, limited only by their own play. Trey Smith led the winners with 26 points, followed by teammate Manny Gonzalez who popped 18. The laser-eyed Smith hit on five of seven three-point attempts. Turner Ussery (nine) and Easton Jenkins (seven) contributed the bulk of the assists, while Smith nabbed three steals.

Though the Cards trailed 39-33 at the half, they outlasted the knights in the second half.

Lyn Smith and his players are not about to coast.

“There are a lot of games left to be played,” Lyn Smith emphasized. “We are going to take it one game at a time. Our mindset is that our record is 0-0. We need that first region win! We have some tough road games ahead of us, so we must stay focused, and continue to get better each day!”

The Cardinals’ schedule does feature lots of road games. Their next home game is set for Jan. 23, when Blacksburg comes to Landrum. Last night (Monday, Jan. 15), the Cardinals met Spartanburg Christian Academy in the Prep Hoops Showcase in Greenville. Results were not available at press time.

This Tuesday evening, the Cardinals visit Christ Church Episcopal. On Friday, they visit Greer Middle College High School. After hosting Chesnee on Jan. 26, the Cards are on the road once more, when they visit St. Joseph’s on Jan. 30, for a re-match.