Glen Strandberg
Sports Editor

With the postseason now upon the boys basketball team, it appears the Rangers have become the squad head coach Dan Cremisino expected to see all along. Forest Lake (14-12, 9-1) is riding a three-game win streak and have proven they can compete with the top programs in the state, win high-scoring games as well as defensive battles.

On Saturday, March 3, the Rangers left Stillwater with a “this is not a misprint” victory, 37-35, which was essentially the halftime score in Forest Lake’s 76-70 double overtime win over Roseville earlier in the week.

During the Rangers second defeat of Stillwater this season, the two teams combined for 24 points in the first half, as the Rangers went into the locker room up by two, 13-11.

“A combination of excellent defense, physical play, poor shooting, and deliberate offense led to a low scoring game,” Cremisino said.

After intermission, the Ponies had a small burst to lead 19-13 and were up by as many as seven points at various times.

“We kept battling and (Brandon) Phelps, (Drew) Cremisino and (Robert) Gavanda made some big shots,” coach Cremisino shared, “and we got some key defensive stops down the stretch and finally tied it up with a couple of minutes to go.”

After another defensive stand by Forest Lake, and with 28 seconds showing on the clock, Aaron Jacobs fed Gavanda for a lay-up, which proved to be the game-winner.

Stillwater waited for one final shot, but when that rimmed out, the Rangers got the rebound and the victory.

“A nice win for us as it put us at 9-7 in conference and we beat a very good basketball team,” coach Cremisino stated.

Gavanda would end the night with seven points, while Drew Cremisino — second in assists in the Suburban East Conference — led the team in scoring with a dozen. Ryan Brown and Phelps each had six points, and Josh Williams, who was third in the SEC this season in three-point field goals made, had five.

Before all of the snow arrived, Forest Lake traveled to Roseville on Feb. 27 to face a team that is better than its 4-12 conference record would indicate.

At halftime, the Rangers were up by one, but the tight game saw Roseville gain the same, small advantage in the second half, so it was off to overtime as the score was tied, 61-61.

The extra session was low on offensive highlights, with each team managing only three points. In the second overtime, Forest Lake doubled up on the Raiders, putting in 12 points to just six for Roseville for the 76-70 final.

The SEC’s leader in rebounds and blocks, Aaron Jacobs, had 16 points, 10 boards, one block and one steal. Matt Hansmann, who finished the year third in the conference in steals, had a big night with 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one steal; Phelps had 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals; Brown chipped in with 10 points, and Williams had nine.

The Section 4AAAA playoffs open on Thursday, March 8 when White Bear Lake comes up for their third meeting against Forest Lake this season, and the second time they will face each other in two weeks.

“White Bear brings a higher scoring attack to Forest Lake,” coach Cremisino said. “Alex Healy is one of the leading scorers in the metro and is surrounded by a big, athletic team. We will look to control tempo and defend hard every possession.”

Top of Page