A rivalry resumed

One has to go all the way back to 1981 for the last time Carrington and Devils Lake met on the basketball floor as conference mates.

That was the final year of the Northstar Conference, an “island of misfit toys” in the Class A division mostly consisting of lower-enrollment schools too big for the then-larger Class B membership that at one time boasted 32 districts.

The Cardinals and Firebirds, previously known as the Satans 42 years ago, resumed pleasantries as Division A members Tuesday night, December 12, in the East Gym.

Assuming the role of the small-school plucky underdog, the Cards battled back from down 16 at the half to make it a game, before Devils Lake took control down the stretch and defeated CHS, 54-46.

The Firebirds, long competitive in the EDC during their extended run in Class A, have gone with the youth movement for much of their early star power.

A pair of freshmen, guards Tylie Brodina and Ava Beck, showed court sense, maturity and talent beyond their years.

Brodina was unstoppable down low and from behind the three-point line, going for five threes and finishing with 23 points. Beck was also consistent for Devils Lake, scoring 10 and going 3-for-4 from the line in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory.

DLHS’ intense full-court pressure caused no end of headaches for the Cards in the first half, as they forced 16 turnovers and broke open a close game in the first quarter. At the break, the ‘Birds were firmly in cruise control, 35-19.

“Devils Lake pressed, and we didn’t handle it very well,” said CHS Coach Andy Braaten. “We lost their best shooter in transition and helped out [defensively] too much, and it provided them with a first half cushion.”

Carrington regrouped in the third quarter, making some key stops and riding three-pointers from Kacie Rexin, Madison Johnson and Kenadie Pazdernik off the bench. Olivia Threadgold also scored four points in the period.

Suddenly, it was 39-38 following a 19-4 run for the Cards, and the hopes of an upset were alive.

Devils Lake would regroup in the final eight minutes, putting the press back on for 11 more CHS turnovers. They would outscore the Cards, 12-8, and escape with a semi-comfortable, but grueling, triumph, and respect for their new Region 2 rivals.

For the game, Carrington committed 31 turnovers, and was not sharp from the line, going 7-for-17.

Johnson was the top scorer with 11 points, and she added six rebounds and six steals. Rexin finished with nine and Threadgold eight.

Braaten praised Paz-dernik’s play in the sixth man role, as she finished with five points.

In the JV game, Devils Lake came away with a 63-48 win over the Cards.

Carrington, now 2-2 overall and 1-1 in Region 2, played Thompson this last Thursday in a regional boys’/girls’ doubleheader. They come back to action with another Region 2 clash next Tuesday at Hillsboro/Central Valley, and play their last game before Christmas on Thursday when they hit the road to play Rugby in nonregional Division A action.

Region 2 Girls’ Basketball

Devils Lake 54, Carrington 46

at Carrington

DL 17 18 7 12 54

Cgtn. 11 8 19 8 46

Carrington: Madison Johnson 11, Kacie Rexin 9, Olivia Threadgold 8, Edyn Hoornaert 7, Kenadie Pazdernik 5, Kaydence VanRay 4, Harper Kollman 2. Totals: 17 FG, 7-17 FT, 19 fouls. Three-pointers: Johnson 2, Rexin, Hoornaert, Pazdernik.

Devils Lake: Tylie Brodina 23, Ava Beck 10, Presley Brown 6, Torri Fee 5, Gabrielle McLaurin 4, Claire Heilman 3, Cabryn Fritel 2, Brinly Gregory 2. Totals: 18 FG, 12-14 FT, 23 fouls. Three-pointers: Brodina 5, Beck.

Carrington Statistical Leaders

Rebounds: Johnson 6, Isabel Wendel 5.

Assists: Wendel 7.

Steals: Johnson 6.