Comets Sharpen Offensive Discipline with Inside Toughness and Balanced Scoring

The Comets continue to refine their offensive identity, pairing physical play inside the arc with timely perimeter shooting to earn a convincing 68–42 conference win over Rothsay. After a measured first half, Hillcrest’s discipline showed in the details, in shot selection and the rebounding margin, turning patience into separation as the night went on.

At the core of the performance was a commitment to scoring inside the arc. Hillcrest converted 23 of 41 two-point attempts (56%), consistently attacking the paint and finishing through contact. That efficiency was paired with dominance on the glass, as the Comets pulled down 49 total rebounds, repeatedly extending possessions and limiting Rothsay to one-and-done trips. Head coach Hannah Clark pointed to that physical edge as decisive. “I thought our girls did an excellent job on the glass, and rebounding was likely the difference maker in the game.”

No one embodied that interior toughness more than Ella Knutson, who posted a powerful double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds, while also adding five assists to keep the offense flowing. Knutson’s presence anchored Hillcrest’s inside-out rhythm. Alongside Knutson, Elsa Retzlaff added 16 points and 10 rebounds, reinforcing Hillcrest’s control of the paint and underscoring the Comets’ identity of finishing possessions.

That interior pressure opened space on the perimeter, and the Comets made Rothsay pay with precision shooting at key moments. Stella Moline delivered a standout night from beyond the arc, knocking down three of five three-pointers on her way to 11 points. “When she is knocking down shots, we can really spread the floor and get high-quality looks,” Clark noted.

The balance was evident across the box score. Elin Retzlaff led all scorers with 19 points, converting 9 of 12 shots inside the arc while adding four steals and three blocks on the defensive end. Hillcrest finished with five players scoring six or more points. Even on a night when Rothsay’s first-half defense forced more turnovers than Hillcrest prefers, the Comets stayed composed, leaned into their strengths, and let discipline dictate the outcome.