The indoor season has already been especially successful. The results point clearly toward what’s possible: multiple athletes positioned to make a push for State competition once again.

In a culture that often tells students their worth is tied to how “full” their lives appear, Hunter Pinke offered a countercultural truth: your hope is not in the level of your cup, but in the God who fills it.

They went to the Capitol to learn about advocating for life. They left understanding something even greater: that a healthy society depends on citizens who are informed, courageous, and willing to step forward.

Ms. Julie didn’t shy away from naming the challenge: “We could threaten all day or manipulate all day to get behavior change… but at the end of the day, we’ve got to do the hard work.”

As the voices settled and the lesson moved on, the hallway returned to stillness. But something lasting had taken place. Under Ms. Hosch’s guidance, these students are not just becoming better readers, they are becoming learners who trust order and who are being grounded in a truth that will carry far beyond the classroom.

Experiences like this reflect Hillcrest’s commitment to hyper-practical learning. Education here is designed to develop students who do more than absorb information. They are encouraged to observe carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and apply what they know to serve others. That means stepping outside the classroom and into the community. Whether it’s through internships, service projects, or business partnerships like this one, Hillcrest students regularly encounter opportunities to connect their learning to the real world around them. The goal is simple but profound: to cultivate young men and women who think clearly, communicate well, and contribute meaningfully wherever they go.

The banners and record books will celebrate the first state tournament appearance, the program record for wins, and a fourth-place finish in Minnesota Class A. But the legacy of the 2025–26 Comets runs deeper. Long after the lights of Williams Arena dim and the final box scores are filed away, the example these young women set, on the court and in prayer, will continue to shape the Hillcrest program for years to come. And for everyone who watched them this season, it truly was a fun group of girls to cheer for and an incredible year to remember.

The Comets again displayed the unity that has carried them through a historic season. The Hillcrest fan section filled Williams Arena with red and white, supporting the team from the opening tip through the final minutes.

While the offense grabbed headlines, Hillcrest’s defense played a key role in creating separation early in the game. The Comets recorded 12 steals and six blocks, disrupting NRHEG’s rhythm and turning defensive stops into transition opportunities.

When the final boxes were packed and the totals counted, the room filled with smiles. The collection represented more than food, it represented compassion, responsibility, and the growing hearts of students learning what it means to live for something bigger than themselves.

The Hillcrest Comets girls basketball team is headed to the state tournament, and the school gathered for a pepfest that felt less like an assembly and more like a launch.

What happened next was extraordinary for the room, eager to dive into the food of the International Night. For most, what made the evening special wasn’t just the food; it was the people behind it. Each course of the meal was prepared and presented by Hillcrest’s international students. Standing before the crowd, they described the dishes they had made and the traditions behind them. Their explanations brought their cultures into the room in a way that a textbook never could.

This senior class has been instrumental in shaping the program's identity. Their leadership, work ethic, and commitment to the Comet system have elevated Hillcrest basketball and helped establish a foundation for the future. The impact of this group is even more significant considering who the Comets will graduate. Hillcrest will say goodbye to its entire starting lineup, along with its sixth and seventh men off the bench, marking the end of a remarkable era of leadership and production.

Experiences like this are part of Hillcrest’s commitment to connecting learning with lived experience. The forest of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a place of confusion, transformation, and ultimately restoration. By stepping into that story through live performance, Hillcrest’s 9th graders were able to see Shakespeare not simply as an author from the past, but as a storyteller whose insights still resonate today. And perhaps that is the lasting lesson of the trip: great stories are not just meant to be read, they are meant to be experienced.

For the first time in program history, the Comet girls’ basketball team is headed to the Minnesota Class A State Tournament. Behind a dominant offensive performance and relentless defensive effort, the Comets defeated Breckenridge 67–52 on Friday night to secure their place among the final eight teams in the state and continue what has already become a historic season.

The victory was significant for more than just the scoreboard. The night also marked a milestone moment for senior wing Sean Berge, who etched his name into the Hillcrest record books by scoring his 1,000th career point. The accomplishment brought the crowd to its feet and added an emotional highlight to what may very well be one of the final home games played in the Comet Gym this season, as both the boys and girls teams push deeper into the postseason.

The call to missions has been forming in the hallways of Hillcrest for generations of students. And as students gather for conversations like the recent lunch with Dave Narvesen, it is clear that the tradition continues.

As a team, Hillcrest shot 21-of-57 from the field (36%), including 12-of-22 on two-point attempts (54%) while converting 11-of-17 free throws (64%). The Comets also knocked down nine three-pointers, providing a balanced scoring attack that kept the Tigers from mounting a late comeback.

Hillcrest’s House System is helping students grow in community, character, and connection. One simple bin at the gym door is becoming a powerful lesson: some moments are too important to scroll through.

From the opening tip, Hillcrest controlled every statistical category. The Comets built a commanding 40–19 halftime lead and matched that output with another 40-point half after the break.