Stillwater, which began the season highly regarded, has not had the start it likely envisioned.
The Ponies (4-2, 2-0) have had a stacked schedule early, which led to a pair of losses against top-five ranked teams in their first four games (they were defeated by No. 5-4A Park Center 75-69 on Nov. 23 and by No. 3-4A Farmington 79-74 on Nov. 30) this season.
But No. 5-4A Stillwater has turned it on lately, scoring more than 70 points in back-to-back wins against Park of Cottage Grove (a 77-37 win on Dec. 3) and Woodbury (97-69 last Friday).
For the Ponies to continue winning Tuesday against Cretin-Derham Hall, look for the offense to keep piling on the points.
Opposing defenses often struggle to stop talented junior guard Alex Pratt, who has been dominant averaging 21 points per game for Stillwater.
Slowing opposing offenses has been the key to success early this season for Cretin-Derham Hall (3-2, 1-1). The Raiders have allowed 70 or more points just twice this season, in losses against No. 3-3A Holy Angels (87-62 on Nov. 29) and East Ridge (74-61 on Dec. 6). In the Raiders' wins, opposing offenses are averaging only 54 points.
Two players been significant factors in Cretin-Derham Hall's play, juniors Audrey Martinez Stewart and Takara Mason, who each average more than 12 points per game.