The Official Newspaper for Foster County
Try as they might, the Carrington girls' basketball team couldn't find that extra gear to pull away from the Four Winds-Minnewaukan Lady Indians.
Nursing a 12-point lead at one point, the shots went ice-cold for the Cards late, and FW-M hit a few clutch baskets to make it interesting, cutting down to a two-possession game late.
Still, it meant Carrington's hot streak to begin the season remained intact, thanks to a 48-44 win over the Indians to improve to 6-0 on the season.
"Our shooting was subpar, but the girls gave good effort throughout the night," said CHS Head Coach Andy Braaten. "FW-M shot the three well, and to their credit, came back from a double-digit deficit."
Two Cardinal players accounted for over half of the team's offense, led by junior guard Madison Johnson's 17-point outing.
Johnson, along with her eight rebounds and three steals, was a perfect 6-for-6 from the foul line, including two clutch conversions in the final minute.
Edyn Hoornaert was the other significant point contributor with nine, and had seven rebounds and three assists.
"Madi really controlled the offense and boards for us, and Edyn and Isabel [Wendel] had nice floor games for us," said Braaten.
Even while scoring just two points, Wendel facilitated the offensive flow with six assists, and frustrated the Lady Indian ballhandlers with four steals.
FW-M fell to 2-4 with the competitive loss, and two players, Lanehya Malnourie and Makeisha Cavanaugh, had 11 points each before the latter fouled out late. Hannah Fassett also scored 10 for the Lady Indians.
Carrington will have a stiff test sandwiched in between the Christmas and New Year's holidays, when the Langdon/Edmore/Munich Cardinals come to town for a rare Wednesday game at the East Gym on December 28.
L/E/M sits at 3-1 on the season, their only loss coming in the season opener to then sixth-ranked Edgeley-Kulm-Montpelier, 56-50.
This Friday, December 30, will feature the Cards' makeup game against rival and District 5 opponent Griggs/Midkota, also in Carrington.
Each slate of games starts with JV action at 1 p.m., followed by varsity.
Nonregion Girls' Basketball
Carrington 48,
Four Winds-Minnewaukan 44
at Carrington
Quarter scoring not available.
Carrington: Madison Johnson 17, Edyn Hoornaert 9, Emma Hone 5, Kacie Rexin 4, Kaydence VanRay 4, Haley Wolsky 4, Olivia Threadgold 3, Isabel Wendel 2. Totals: 17 FG, 10-14 FT, 14 fouls. Three-pointers: Johnson, Threadgold.
FW-M scoring leaders: Makeisha Cavanaugh 11, Lanehya Malnourie 11, Hannah Fassett 10.
Carrington Additional Stats
Rebounds: Johnson 8, Hoornaert 7, Hone 3, VanRay 2, Rexin, Threadgold and Wolsky 1.
Assists: Wendel 6, Hoornaert 3, Hone 2, Rexin 1.
Steals: Wendel 4, Johnson 3, Hone 2, Hoornaert and Wolsky 1.