Cards defeat Lady Indians, take 3rd place

By virtue of a second-quarter surge, the Carrington girls ensured themselves of one shot to snag a state Division A Tournament spot Thursday night, February 22.

Like the previous two matchups with Four Winds-Minnewaukan, their Region 2 third place game transpired with no team gaining a clear advantage, at least until the second eight minutes rolled around.

Two three-pointers by Isabel Wendel and one more from Madison Johnson provided CHS with the breathing room sorely needed, and they largely traded blows for the next two quarters in a 52-41 win over the Lady Indians.

Carrington's victory put them in a state qualifying game on Saturday, February 24, against the Valley City Hi-Liners (see related article), with the winner advancing to the state tournament in Minot.

"That was a good bounce-back win for us [after the 15-point loss to Devils Lake in the semifinal round]," Head Coach Andy Braaten said. "The second period was really the difference maker for us, as we gained some separation and held them back the rest of the game."

A five-point first quarter from junior forward Edyn Hoornaert accounted for half the Cardinal points in the period, as they forged a 10-10 deadlock at the horn.

Hoornaert would end the night with 17 points to lead the Cards, and she also had six rebounds and three assists.

Madison Johnson was one rebound away from a double-double, tallying 13 points, nine boards and four steals. Kacie Rexin had nine for Carrington, but her big contribution was on the defensive pressure with seven steals, and Isabel Wendel had two blocks.

For FW-M (12-12), All-Region 2 guard Suri Gourd finished with 23 points, including all 12 for the Lady Indians in the final quarter. She, along with Sophie Robertson, picked off four steals, and Robertson hit double figures on the glass with 11 rebounds and added two blocked shots.

Cailee Hanson also had eight points before fouling out in the final quarter.

"Our defense was solid, and offensively, we had good balance again," Braaten said.

In postseason honors, Johnson and Rexin, along with Olivia Threadgold, were named to the All-Region 2 team. Champion Thompson had four players selected, along with the Senior Athlete of the Year (Sydney Schwabe) and Coach of the Year (Jason Brend).

Runner-up Devils Lake had three selections, while FW-M and Grafton had one each.

Division A - Region 2

Girls Basketball

Tournament, Mayville

Third Place

Carrington 52,

Four Winds-Minnewaukan 41

FW-M 10 8 11 12 41

Cgtn. 10 19 12 11 52

Carrington: Edyn Hoornaert 17, Madison Johnson 13, Kacie Rexin 9, Isabel Wendel 8, Olivia Threadgold 5. Totals: 15-47 FG, 14-22 FT, 14 fouls. Three-pointers: Hoornaert 2, Rexin 2, Wendel 2, Johnson, Threadgold.

FW-M: Suri Gourd 23, Cailee Hanson 8, Sophie Robertson 7, Haven Cavanaugh 2, Ava Gourd 1. Totals: 16-40 FG, 3-8 FT, 20 fouls. Three-pointers: S. Gourd 3, Hanson 2, Robertson. Fouled out: Hanson, A. Gourd.

Carrington Additional Stats

Rebounds: Johnson 9, Hoornaert and Threadgold 6, Rexin and Wendel 3.

Assists: Hoornaert 3, Rexin, Threadgold and Wendel 2, Johnson 1.

Steals: Rexin 7, Johnson and Wendel 4, Hoornaert and Threadgold 1.

Blocks: Wendel 2.

FW-M Additional Stats

Rebounds: Robertson 11, Kendra Spotted Wolf 7, S. Gourd 6, A. Gourd 4, Karlie Baker 2.

Assists: A. Gourd 3, Hanson and Robertson 1.

Steals: S. Gourd and Robertson 4, A. Gourd and Spotted Wolf 1.

Blocks: Robertson 2, Spotted Wolf 1.

All-Region 2 Team

Carrington: Madison Johnson, Kacie Rexin, Olivia Threadgold

Devils Lake: Tylie Brodina, Torri Fee, Cabryn Fritel

FW-M: Suri Gourd

Grafton: Kate LeClerc

Thompson: Kya Hurst, Brenna Martin, Addison Sage, Sydney Schwabe

Region 2 Senior Athlete of the Year

Sydney Schwabe, Thompson

Region 2 Coach of the Year

Jason Brend, Thompson