Comets Girls Show Grit and Unity in Win at Ashby
The Hillcrest Comets girls' basketball team showcased their relentless pursuit of excellence Tuesday night, securing a 67-29 victory over the Ashby Arrows. The game unfolded as a testament to the team's identity—young, scrappy, and unified—a force to be reckoned with as they march through the season.
Head Coach Hannah Clark shared her enthusiasm for the team's performance, emphasizing the collective effort that defined the victory. "This was a good team win for us with many people contributing in all areas on the floor," setting the tone for a narrative of teamwork and shared success.
Leading the charge was the dynamic duo of Ella Knutson and Elsa Retzlaff. Knutson's impressive double-double, boasting 22 points and 12 rebounds, underscored her prowess on both ends of the court. Her resilience and scoring ability laid the foundation for the Comets' dominance. Meanwhile, Retzlaff's all-around game showcased versatility with 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and five steals, further solidifying the team's multifaceted strengths.
The box score, however, tells only part of the story. Aaveah Stender, Brooke Swedberg, Natalie Maggert, Emme Berge, and Kate Olstad played pivotal roles in the victory. Stender's 10 points and four rebounds, Swedberg's six points and four rebounds, Maggert's six points and four rebounds, Berge's four points and five rebounds, and Olstad's three points and five rebounds collectively highlighted the team's depth and contribution of every player.
Throughout the game, moments of grit and resolve were on full display, fortifying the Comets’ identity as a team that plays with heart and determination.
The team stands at 2-2, with a 2-1 record in the Little Eight Conference. The Comets host Wheaton/Herman-Norcross on Friday.
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.