In 2023-24, Landrum has re-established its status as one of the teams to beat in the 2A ranks. A big reason for the success of Jared St. Charles’ Cardinals has been the play of his star two guard. The Cardinals successfully defended The Cage against 5A Boiling Springs to close out the girls portion of Battle at the Border’s first day. Cortez tallied 17 points. She is an efficient runner of the floor including moving very quickly with the ball in her hands. A 3-point shot is part of Cortez’s offensive arsenal and she understands when the right times are to score when to pass.

Landrum went 2-1 in last season’s Varner Tip-Off and coach Jared St. Charles’ Cardinals resumed its winning ways on Saturday afternoon as his team matched up against Boiling Springs. Cortez concluded her afternoon with a 23-point showing in a game where Landrum’s margin of victory was 22. Included in those 23 points she put on the scoreboard were four made attempts from behind the 3-point line. The Cardinals as a team sank seven successful triples. Cortez displays impressive handles to compliment her scoring prowess and displays plenty of speed and quickness as well. She is off to a good start in her bid to conclude her high school career with an exclamation point.

Kaylee brings a spark to the floor with her motor. She does a little bit of everything while serving as point guard. Improving her left hand will help open up the entire floor, but Cortez thrived when getting to her right. She hit pull-up jumpers and tossed in a floater. Kaylee liked to stretch the floor with her perimeter shot. She had a nose for the ball as a rebounder and supplied pesky defense. She recorded 11 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 1 block in a 47-37 win.

Kaylee Cortez Kaylee Cortez 5'4" | PG Landrum | 2024 State SC is constantly moving on the court like an energizer bunny coming out of nowhere to grab a rebound and push the ball up the court.  Even without the ball, she is constantly moving to find the open space or make some cuts shifting the defense.  She used some nice shot fakes to attack the basket and get to the rim.  Her on ball defense was good keeping her opponent in front at all times.

Senior Day in 2024 is sure to be one to remember from the perspective of Landrum’s girls basketball program. One of three team captains listed as part of the Cardinals roster, she understands the art of having her arms outstretched as a defender. Cortez is also willing to absorb contact that can place her at the free throw line. She can display her impressive handles and will connect on a few floater attempts. She stays seemingly one step ahead of her opponents with her heads up play, will display a midrange jumper and has effective cutting moves to the rim. Cortez finished with 13 points in the Cardinals’ victory over Laurens.

The junior class is where the lion’s share of talent will be found in this region as evidenced by Cortez. She became a name very familiar to Prep Girls Hoops over the spring and summer as evidenced by what she did with FCA Eagles 2024 on its Circuit – including its southeastern-based Triumph Region. Cortez has also played volleyball throughout her athletic career. Much of the time, she runs point for the Cardinals and brings an unselfish attitude to every game she competes in. Cortez is gifted as a ball distributor, can garner a good amount of steals to create extra possessions for her team and can put points on the board.

KC was a key in Landrum’s noteworthy 2021-22 season that saw the Cardinals advance to the 2A Upper State Final. Cortez than translated that momentum into excelling during the spring and summer AAU months with FCA Eagles – one of the teams that participated on the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit’s Triumph Region. She also has junior varsity volleyball experience along with basketball. Cortez runs point much of the time for Landrum and is gifted as a scorer and passer. She can also collect her fair amount of steals on the defensive side and brings an unselfish attitude every time she takes the court.