Junior lifts Cards in double overtime
CARRINGTON — Kayla Hochhalter didn’t feel any resistance when she turned to look at the basket in double overtime on Saturday.By: Chris Aarhus, The Jamestown Sun, The Jamestown Sun
- Kayla Hochhalter
CARRINGTON — Kayla Hochhalter didn’t feel any resistance when she turned to look at the basket in double overtime on Saturday.
The 5-foot-10 junior from Carrington is used to feeling pressure from the help side when she turns away from her defender on the low block.
However, North Star was a step slow, and the Cardinals took full advantage as Hochhalter scored eight straight points down low in the second overtime in an 82-74 home win.
“I was expecting there to be people there,” said Hochhalter, who was one of five Cardinals in double figures with 16 points. “I feel pretty confident down there. My team is really good about finding me with the ball.”
Hochhalter certainly atoned for her miss on a mid-range jumper at the end of the first overtime, which would have won the game. The Cardinals also missed on several chances at putbacks, but Hochhalter was there in the second extra frame.
“We (isolated) her really well,” Carrington coach Andy Braaten said. “She was in foul trouble in the first half, so there weren’t a lot of good looks.”
North Star didn’t seem to have an answer on the other end, managing just two points in the second OT.
“We were played out in the end,” North Star coach Mark Lindahl said. “We didn’t have weakside help there in overtime like we had early in the game.”
Hochhalter wasn’t just the star of the overtimes, though. She scored off the low block with 10 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game. The Bearcats had a chance for the win, but air-balled the shot.
Nikki Braaten had a team-high 19 points for the Cardinals, while teammates Josey Page (18), Hannah Lipetzky (12) and Breana Barton (11) were also in double figures.
The Cardinals are thriving this year, despite heavy losses to graduation. Andy Braaten pointed to balance and athleticism as the main reason.
“We have speed out front and good strength down low,” he said. “We don’t really have one style.”
North Star senior Megan Gowan led all scorers with 20 points from her center position. Allie Heisler (18), Kelsey Teubner (13) and Sarah Hagler (12) aided the Bearcats’ effort.
Carrington 82, North Star 74, 2OT
North Star 11 31 47 66 72 74
Carrington 16 35 50 66 72 82
North Star: Megan Gowan 20, Allie Heisler 18, Kelsey Teubner 13, Sarah Hagler 12, Jessica Teubner 8, Janae Larson 2, Laura Oakland 1.
Carrington: Nikki Braaten 19, Josey Page 18, Kayla Hochhalter 16, Hannah Lipetzky 12, Breana Barton 11, Carly Copenhaven 4, Jacey Engelhorn 2.
Sun sports writer Chris Aarhus can be reached at (701) 952-8462 or by email at caarhus@jamestownsun.com
Tags: sports, basketball, carrington
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