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N.D. (NewsDakota.com)—–The Carrington Cardinal girl’s basketball team knocked off Edgely-Kulm-Montpeiler (EKM) 48-37 in the Region 3 title game to advance to the state class “B” tournament March 3-5 in Grand Forks. The Cardinal’s led 22-16 at halftime thanks to Maara Nelson’s 16 first half points, and Emerson Hoornaert’s 10 second half points to secure the victory. Nelson finished with a game high 20 points, 5 steals, and 3 assists. Hoornaert finished the night with 12 points, a game high 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 assists. The Cardinal’s forced EKM into 6 consecutive possessions with turnovers to start the third quarter and built a 29-16 lead. EKM never fully recovered, but did get 2 big three pointers to cut the Cardinal lead to 7 midway through the third quarter. The Cardinal’s pressure defense limited EKM to just 30 percent shooting on the night. The Cardinals sealed the contest in the final minutes of the fourth quarter making 6 straight free throws, Haley Hewitt, Kauri Hochhalter, and Hoornaert all going 2-2 to help secure the victory. The Cardinal’s will enter the state tourney with a 20-5 overall record, winning 14 of their final 15 games. The only setback during this time was to second rated North Star (champions of region 4) by 7 points. EKM finishes up a very successful season as well, going 20-4 overall (3 losses to Carrington. The Rebels were led by Olivia Anderson with 13 points and 7 rebounds. Anderson was selected as the Region 3 senior athlete of the year. Cardinal head coach Andy Braaten, who won his 300th career game on Monday night, now sitting at 302 wins, was voted 2016 Region 3 coach of the year.