That tone was set on December 18 in Hancock, when Hillcrest opened what would become the toughest three-week stretch of the season with a hard-fought 60–57 road win. In a gym where every possession mattered and every rebound was contested, the Comets showed early signs of the toughness they knew would be required moving forward.

Community care was on full display at Hillcrest’s annual Gingerbread house decoration party.

Head coach Hannah Clark pointed to the tempo and intent that brought the results on the scoreboard. “I liked the way we pushed the ball up the floor. Our offensive movement and ability to attack the hoop got our girls a lot of good looks at the basket.”

When the final horn sounded on a 70–62 Comet victory, it was clear why this Hillcrest team is off to such an impressive start: they share the load and trust one another, and they respond together when the moment gets hard.

From the opening possession, Hillcrest’s defensive pressure set a clear tone. Disciplined rotations and strong help defense disrupted Ashby’s rhythm and allowed the Comets to control the pace early. That attention to detail translated into a 40–15 halftime lead and reflected a team that understands how defensive intensity fuels everything else they want to do on the floor.

The Hillcrest Comet girls continued to show why December is about preparation as much as performance, earning a convincing 68–27 win over Ashby while putting on display the finer points of the game that often separate good teams from great ones.

Winter has officially arrived, and with it, the girls’ and boys’ basketball programs are storming into December with commanding performances. The Comets are sending an early-season message: these are teams, and a school, on the rise.

From the first carol to the final goodbye, Lower School students became messengers of Christ’s light when they visited LB Homes this week. They did this by simply showing up, singing boldly, speaking Scripture, and offering their presence with love.

Residents welcomed the sight of students with wide smiles and full hearts. They leaned in as Scripture was narrated, poems were recited, and songs filled the room.

The room warmed with every carol led by Mrs. Redlin. Some residents joined softly; others let the music soak into their souls. Tears surfaced everywhere, but they were tears of gratitude.

Hillcrest students didn’t just perform. They ministered.

Third graders shined during BINGO, guiding residents with patience, celebrating every win, and turning a simple game into a moment of belonging. One resident, a former teacher without children of her own, said seeing the students together “was everything.”

Younger students, with their shy waves and big smiles, added warmth and innocence that melted hearts on both days. Their narration, their poems, their willingness to stand before strangers and speak God’s Word. It made an impact. Residents noticed.

Nothing captured the spirit of the visit more than the ornament exchange. When the younger students handed residents their handmade ornaments, the reactions were priceless. Some held theirs tightly the entire time. Others quickly said “yes!” when offered another. Even residents unable to join the group were promised ornaments so they wouldn’t miss the blessing. Every single gift mattered.

One of the most moving parts of the visit was the simple act of conversation. Students asked thoughtful questions. They listened. They made eye contact. They showed genuine interest in stories about childhood, work, family, and school from long ago. A staff member noted, “Residents could sit and talk like this for hours.”

On the walk back, students talked nonstop about what they learned, when they could return, and even suggested future visits.

In the busiest season of the year, our students learned to pause. To be present. To give generously. To see people the way God sees them.

For two days, Hillcrest students didn’t just visit LB Homes. They brought Jesus with them.

While the Retzlaffs combined for an astonishing 45 of Hillcrest’s 56 points, the Comets’ win was anchored on the glass. Hillcrest outrebounded Underwood 34–27, with production coming from all corners of the roster. Emme Berge was the engine of that effort, pulling down 10 rebounds to go with 4 points and one of the strongest defensive performances of the night. Her pressure on Underwood’s ball-handlers disrupted the Rockets’ offense and forced hurried decisions.

Fourth graders began analyzing Paul’s words, not skimming, but paying attention to structure, emphasis, and meaning. They were using grammar to uncover theology. They were applying the tools of the classroom to the living Word of God.

To this team, thank you for the resolve to elevate your family, faith, and your sport and bring us on an unforgettable journey.

To God be the glory.

This Saturday, the Comets will carry that legacy with them — stepping onto the field not only to chase a championship, but to continue a story that began long before them and, with God’s guidance, will continue long after.

Julie praised this group of three students more than twenty times in the fifteen minutes I listened.
“Great job with that.”
“I love how you are encouraging your friend.”
“You are showing the love of Jesus when you do that.”

great wins always come with drama. In the fourth quarter, Kittson County Central mounted a furious comeback, cutting the lead to six and bringing the stadium to a roar. The Comet rallied and played their most poised football of the season. As the Bearcats pushed one last time, optimistic they could charge for a decisive score that would bring them to the championship game, Berge stepped in front of a sideline pass and snatched the interception that sealed the game and sent the offense to the field to run out the clock.

Chapel at Hillcrest felt different this week. The hum of excitement was mixed with the quiet curiosity of students leaning forward, notebooks open, ready to engage. It wasn’t a pep rally or a performance, it was a Theology Symposium, and Dr. Boe had come to do something far more radical than simply lecture: he came to help students think about how they think.

As the fall winds down, with football carrying the banner a little longer, Hillcrest celebrates a season that has strengthened not only trophies and titles but also character and community.

The Comets marched home with a 40–38 win after a thriller that tested every ounce of their resolve and sent the Comets punching their ticket to U.S. Bank Stadium.

Hillcrest’s serving was once again a major factor, as the Comets delivered 15 ace serves and kept constant pressure on the Raiders’ back row. Elsa Retzlaff opened the night with an 8-point serving run in the first set, setting the tone for an energetic and balanced performance.

“The gym was packed, and the Underwood pep band added so much to that playoff atmosphere, it was electric! The Rockets are a tough, well-coached team, and we have tremendous respect for how hard they competed,” Foss shared. “We were able to run our game plan, attack aggressively, and finish strong in three competitive sets.”

Hillcrest’s Frankenstein mock trial stands as a powerful example of how education at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy awakens both the mind and heart. By integrating disciplines, reading, reasoning, communication, and creativity, students learn not only to think critically but also to live wisely. They are reminded that the goal of learning isn’t to win an argument, but to pursue truth and embody it with humility and conviction.