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PILOT MOUNTAIN — The East Surry Cardinal girls varsity basketball team will advance in the next round of the state playoffs after winning against Cherryville at home on Monday.

The Cardinals won by a score of 71-43 and improved their overall record to 19-7.

Keri Fulp led the Cards and scored the game-high of 19 points. Gabi Jessup was second highest game scorer with 17 points.

Jessup opened up first-quarter scoring for the Cards with a three-pointer and hammered out a path to the inside along with Fulp and crew hitting lay-ups most of the game against Cherryville.

The first quarter ended with Cards on top of Cherryville 11-8 and once again Jessup set a tempo by scoring the first points of the second quarter. The Lady Cards went into half-time ahead 41-18 after opening fire in the second quarter and scoring 30 points. During the third quarter, the Cards remained on top of Cherryville by a score of 52-28.

Cards Head Coach Keith Gunter said the team showed depth in the game and it made a difference.

Gunter said, “We brought two up from JV and they played well, Jessi Marion and Cheyenne Kota.”

Both sophomores got on the board for the Cards with Kota scoring four and Marion hitting one.

Gunter also said the team played well on both sides of the ball and as a team.

He said they showed more focus on moving the ball around the perimeter and in getting the ball inside. “We worked a little more on getting after it on defense,” said Gunter. He also said the Lady Cards rebounded well.

Gunter said, Fulp had 16 rebounds, and Markle and Sydney Marion had 11.

Senior Lauren Thompson had 10 steals and five assist in a strong effort against Cherryville.

“The Cards were able force turnovers,” said Gunter.

Gunter said it was good to get back on the winning side after losing three in a row but said the team will have to go back to work tomorrow.

Other scorers for the Cards on Monday included Sydney Mosley and Karli Fulp each with seven points. Also, Sydney Marion and Kacie Markle each scored six and Emma Slater and Lauren Thompson had two apiece.

The Cardinal girls are scheduled to play Lake Norman Charter away in the second round of the state playoffs on Wednesday.

Lake Norman Charter will come into the ballgame with a 22-5 record. Gunter said the game could begin as early as 6 p.m., but is still to be determined.