Comets Soar to Victory Behind Retzlaff's 33 Point Gem

The Comets continued their ascent in the high school basketball universe in a shining win Thursday night. A team once overlooked, Hillcrest now casts a formidable shadow over the region as playoffs draw near, with teams recognizing the stir they're causing in the section.

The spotlight of the night beamed brightly on Elsa Retzlaff. The 8th-grade shooting guard scored 33 points, grabbed three rebounds, dished out four assists, and had an astounding six steals against Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley.

Head Coach Hannah Clark lauded the girls’ intensity from the very tip. “The girls played hard with a lot of intensity,” Clark reflected. The defensive pressure, a hallmark of the Comets under Clark's stewardship, set the tone for the night.

Offensively, the Comets were a force to be reckoned with. They attacked the rim and broke down their opponents with precision, keeping relentless pressure on CGB’s defense. Hillcrest exploited nearly every mismatch, turning potential challenges into opportunities.

While Retzlaff was in the spotlight for much of the night, the brilliance of the Comets is a collective. Ruby Peterson provided a commanding 15 points, five rebounds, eight assists, and four steals, and Ella Knutson, registering another impressive double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, showcased the consistent work ethic of the Comet team. The contributions of Emma Berge (six points, two rebounds), Aaveah Stender (six points, four rebounds), and Kate Olstad (two points, seven rebounds) further fortified an important home victory.

The message was clear as the final score read Hillcrest 77, CGB 51. With the playoffs in sight, the Comets are honing their ability to score points in myriad ways with one consistent trait: they never quit.

Hillcrest (13-5, 10-3 LEC) will play Wyndmere-Lidgerwood at 12:30 pm Saturday at NDSCS.