East Ridge vs. 
White Bear Lake

7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22

East Ridge is quickly developing into the dominant force most expected the Raptors to be at the start of the season.

After losing two of their first five games, the Raptors (11-2, 6-0) have won eight in a row heading into a game against a team they’ve beaten 13 consecutive times. Led by Minnesota Mr. Basketball candidate Courtney Brown and a talented supporting cast, No. 4-4A East Ridge is primed to extend that streak to 14.

Brown scored 55 points, and Ben Carlson, a 6-10 junior, netted 57 in the Raptors' sweep of White Bear Lake last season. Both return in this game that is for sole possession of first place in the Suburban East Conference standings. Brown, a senior headed to Wisconsin-Milwaukee next fall, averages 15.4 points and 3.3 rebounds and Carlson averages 15.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. In addition, 6-7 sophomore Kendall Brown averages 17.3 points.

But White Bear Lake (13-1, 6-0) has reason to believe it can end the lopsided domination.

The Bears, with four consecutive victories after suffering their only defeat of the season (90-82 at Centennial on Jan. 2), have the size and scoring power to contend with the Browns and Carlson.

Jeremy Beckler (21.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg), Sam Schwartz (20.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and Isaac Tessier (15.4 ppg, 6.2 assists per game) have helped the Bears outscore opponents 1,076 to 896 this season.