North Dakota Preview: Carrington
The Carrington Cardinals were one of the top-10 teams in Class B North Dakota throughout last season, going 19-4 while ultimately losing in a loaded Region 3 to eventual state-tournament entrant, Kidder County. With four starters back and a host…
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Continue ReadingThe Carrington Cardinals were one of the top-10 teams in Class B North Dakota throughout last season, going 19-4 while ultimately losing in a loaded Region 3 to eventual state-tournament entrant, Kidder County. With four starters back and a host of young promising talent in the program, Carrington will have high expectations in 2019-20.
GO-TO PLAYER: Addison Hoornaert
Carrington had great balance a year ago, winning with multiple players capable of doing damage to the opposition. Hoornaert is probably the closest thing to the team’s go-to scorer though, as she’s a terrific shot-creator and more than capable of putting up points. She’s good at getting her teammates involved and creating easy scoring chances and her ability to get to the paint breaks down opposing defenses and sets the tone for the Cardinals’ entire offense.
KEY RETURNERS: Bella Hone, Hannah Hagel, Kiera Eli, Marah Schmitz
Hone is another go-to type player inside and heads into her senior year as one of the best forwards in Region 3. At 6-foot, she’s excellent on both ends of the floor, and does a great job controlling the glass. She’s a solid finisher in the paint and around the rim and has a motor that runs hot, which allows her to produce consistent numbers.
Eli was one of the team’s best perimeter scorers last year and arguably the Cardinals’ best shooter. She’ll have an opportunity to step into an even bigger role this winter now with McKenzie Johnson gone to graduation.
Schmitz and Hagel both return after playing regular minutes last year as well. Schmitz gives the Cardinals another capable ball-handler with experience while Hagel provides frontcourt depth and can form a tough interior duo with Hone.
QUESTION: Can the Cardinals improve offensively?
Carrington was a terrific defensive team throughout last season, but at times, what held the Cardinals back was a subpar offense. Some of that was inconsistent shooting, some of it was ball-security. Carrington has some good shooters and players who fit together nicely on the offensive end, so it should be expected that the Cardinals take a step forward in that area. Ball security will be important as well, as turnovers haunted them in a number of their losses last year.
OUTLOOK
Carrington will go into this upcoming season as one of the top 10 teams in Class B and again with state tournament aspirations. Region 3 is one of the best in the state, so the Cardinals likely won’t be the favorites to do so. But with the way they defend, and the experience they’ve got throughout the roster, they should be really good.