Comets Turn a Tough Loss into a Statement Week of Basketball
A season rarely turns on a single possession, but it often turns on how a team responds to one. After a narrow 79–74 loss to a talented Pelican Rapids squad, the Hillcrest Comets answered with a week that was not only productive but measurably improved. The numbers don’t just show wins; they reveal growth, adjustment, resilience, and a team learning how to draw together and continue doing hard things.
The week began with Hillcrest’s first loss of the season, a game that stayed within one possession deep into the fourth quarter. Trailing just 39–38 at halftime, the Comets matched Pelican Rapids through three quarters and finished the night shooting 44% from the field while collecting 43 total rebounds. Elin Retzlaff led the way with 21 points and seven rebounds on an efficient 62% shooting night, while Elsa Retzlaff added 15 points and seven boards of her own. Ella Knutson’s stat line was balanced: 14 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Aaveah Stender controlled the glass with 14 rebounds to go with 11 points. The difference came late, when defensive miscues allowed Pelican Rapids to convert key possessions and push their total to 79 points. It was a competitive loss, but the numbers were clear: Hillcrest was close, but not yet consistent enough defensively to close the night.
Clarity showed up immediately in the next game. Two days later, Hillcrest responded with patience and precision in a 79–57 win over Brandon-Evansville, shooting an even 50% from the field and 53% on two-point attempts while outscoring the Chargers 36–22 in the second half. Elsa Retzlaff’s 24 points came on 62% shooting, paired with six steals that directly fueled transition opportunities. Aaveah Stender followed with 13 points on 75% shooting, while Elin Retzlaff added 15 points and six rebounds. What stood out most was efficiency across the lineup: Hillcrest assisted on 14 baskets, forced 17 turnovers, and saw Elsa and Aaveah combine to shoot 67% from the floor. The offense didn’t rush. The Comets waited, moved the ball, looked for lanes, ball-faked opponents, and consistently found high-percentage looks, a statistical reflection of improved decision-making.
The week concluded with Hillcrest’s most dominant performance of the season, a 69–23 victory over Ashby that showcased the Comets’ ceiling when defensive intensity sets the tone. A 40–11 halftime lead told the story early, and Ashby never found rhythm against Hillcrest’s pressure. Elsa Retzlaff filled the stat sheet with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Elin Retzlaff contributed 13 points and five rebounds. Stella Moline delivered one of the night’s most efficient performances, scoring 11 points while going a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Ella Knutson anchored the interior with 10 rebounds and six assists. The Comets finished with 11 steals, four blocks, and nine different players scoring, holding Ashby to just 23 total points.
Across the two wins, Hillcrest averaged 74 points per game while allowing just 40 points defensively, a sharp contrast from the 79 points surrendered in the Pelican Rapids matchup. The margin of victory in those wins averaged more than 34 points, driven not by one scorer, but by improved shot selection, increased assists, and defensive pressure that consistently turned stops into scoring chances. Field goal percentages climbed, turnovers forced increased, and rebounding remained a steady strength throughout the week.
The numbers also framed a meaningful moment for the program as Hillcrest honored its five seniors in the Ashby game. Their leadership showed up not only in ceremony, but in execution—calm ball movement, communication on defense, and an unselfish approach that allowed the statistics to spread across the roster.
Taken together, the week told a clear story. Hillcrest didn’t simply bounce back from a loss—they adjusted. Defensive focus sharpened. Offensive patience increased. Efficiency followed. The Comets turned a close defeat into a week of clarity, and if the trajectory holds, the stats suggest this team is still climbing.