OAK PARK HEIGHTS — After dropping its third straight Suburban East Conference game, the Stillwater boys basketball team bounced back with nonconference victories over Duluth East and Hudson.
The Ponies struggled to put Hudson away, but eventually prevailed 63-58 on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at Stillwater Area High School.
Stillwater (4-8 SEC, 10-10) led by as many as 21 points in the second half, but a combination of poor free throw shooting and some missed dunk attempts helped keep hopes alive for the Raiders. Hudson pulled within three points with about a minute remaining, before Stillwater sealed the victory with two late free throws.
Freshman AJ Taban dropped in a game-high 14 points to lead a balanced attack for the Ponies. Henry Zollar added 12 points and Brett Hilde chipped in with 10 for Stillwater, which led 28-20 at halftime.
The Ponies did not help themselves while missing the front end of three straight one-and-ones a the free throw line down the stretch.
Tyler Lessard finished with 14 points to lead the Raiders, who rank second in the Big Rivers Conference at 8-3 and are 11-8 overall.
Hudson 20 38 — 58
Stillwater 28 35 — 63
Hudson (pts): Sam Swavely 12, Jack LaBlanc 2, Sam Schwalbach 4, Brennan Nelson 5, Ross Yaeger 9, Tyler Lessard 14, Oscar Grothaus 3, Oliver Huth 3, Jace Mataczynski 2 and Sam LaBlanc 4.
Stillwater: AJ Taban 14, Brett Hilde 10, Jaden Jones 7, Joe Hoheisel 7, John Dieterle 4, Joe Fredkove 4, Lake DeJongh 5 and Henry Zollar 12.
Stillwater 72, Duluth East 57
At Duluth, AJ Taban provided 15 points and grabbed rebounds to help carry the Ponies to a 72-57 nonconference victory over the Greyhounds (5-12) on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Duluth East High School.
Stillwater trailed 29-28 at halftime, but outscored East 44-28 in the second half.
Jaden Jones hit three 3-pointers and finisehd with 14 points while Brett Hilde, Henry Zollar and Joe Fredkove added 11 points apiece for Stillwater. Fredkove joined Taban with a team-high seven rebounds.
Stillwater 28 44 — 72
Duluth East 29 28 — 57
Stillwater (pts): AJ Taban 15, Deron Boa-Amponsem 2, Brett Hilde 11, John Dieterle 2, Joe Hoheisel 6, Henry Zollar 11, Joe Fredkove 11 and Jaden Jones 14.
Duluth East: NA.
Forest Lake 65, Stillwater 59
At Oak Park Heights, the Ponies were unable to contain Forest Lake forward Owen Waldoch, who poured in a season-high 36 points to propel the Rangers to a 65-59 Suburban East Conference victory the Ponies on Thursday, Feb. 1 at SAHS.
The senior’s previous high-scoring games this season were 24 points in victories over White Bear Lake and Cambridge-Isanti.
Henry Zollar totaled 19 points and Brett Hilde added 15 for Stillwater, which closed the gap slightly after trailing 39-29 at halftime.
Brennan Sauvageau added 14 points for the Rangers (6-6 SEC, 11-8).
Forest Lake 39 30 — 69
Stillwater 29 36 — 65
Forest Lake (pts): Owen Waldoch 36, Brennan Sauvageau 14, Reid Olson 4, Nolan Dumonceaux 6, DJ Westman 3 and Braedan Turk 6.
Stillwater: AJ Taban 7, Brett Hilde 15, Jaden Jones 9, John Dieterle 3, Joe Fredkove 6, Lake DeJongh 6 and Henry Zollar 19.
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