Comets Dial In Down the Stretch as Playoff Picture Comes Into Focus
The past two weeks of Comets basketball have carried the weight of the postseason, long before the bracket is finalized. With conference positioning tightening and every possession magnified, the Comets have navigated a defining stretch, one shaped by important wins, a pivotal loss, and the sudden need to re-establish identity after senior post Ethan Swedberg went down in a road win at Underwood.
That 70–52 victory on January 27th in Underwood set the tone for what followed. Statistically, the Comets controlled the game from the inside out, shooting 46.4% from the field, averaging 1.12 points per possession, and dominating the paint with 38 points. Their rebounding advantage, 16 offensive rebounds and a +11 edge overall, kept Underwood chasing from the opening minutes. Swedberg’s presence anchored the interior early, contributing 7 rebounds and a +9 plus/minus, but even in that moment, the underlying numbers hinted at where the team would soon need to grow. The Comets assisted on 15 of 26 made baskets, a signal that ball movement and shared responsibility were already becoming central to their success.
Three nights later, that growth accelerated. In an 86–72 win over Battle Lake, the Comets delivered one of their most efficient offensive performances of the season. They shot 52.5% from the floor, knocked down 14 three-pointers, and posted an elite 1.28 points per possession. Without relying on a traditional post-heavy attack, spacing became the weapon. Lincoln Nash’s 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting anchored the offense, while the Comets recorded 18 assists and forced 18 turnovers, turning defense into rhythm offense seamlessly. Five players reached double figures, and the balance across the lineup reflected a team learning how to win by committee, something that is invaluable in the playoffs.
The balance displayed in the win over Battle Lake was tested the following night at Park Christian. The 56–48 loss now stands as a clear inflection point in the season. Defensively, the Comets held Park Christian to 36.5% shooting, but the offensive margins told the story. HLA shot 39.6% overall, just 26.3% from three, and managed only 1-for-3 at the free-throw line. Sixteen turnovers turned into 17 points for Park Christian, and despite competitive stretches, efficiency slipped in the moments that matter most against playoff-caliber opponents. Rather than defining the Comets, the loss clarified the importance of fundamentals and the fact that each possession is a game-defining opportunity in tight games.
The Comets rose to the occasion on the Monday following their Saturday loss. Facing Hancock, the Comets showed growth in both composure and numbers. The 74–64 win was built on rebounding, discipline, ball movement, and controlled pace. Hillcrest scored 34 points in the paint, won the rebounding battle by 12, and returned to efficient execution with 1.09 points per possession. Lincoln Nash again led the way with 23 points, while Sean Berge added 26 points and 5 assists. The Comets generated 15 second-chance points and recorded 11 deflections.
Across these four games, the trend lines reveal a team sharpening itself for March. Assist totals remained high, offensive efficiency rebounded after adversity, and multiple players absorbed increased minutes without sacrificing control. The most telling characteristic emerging from these games is that the Comets learned how to win without relying on a single interior presence, an adjustment that will only strengthen them when Swedberg returns to the lineup.
As the postseason approaches, these two weeks may ultimately be remembered as the stretch that prepared the Comets for playoff basketball. The numbers show a team that has tightened execution, clarified roles, formed resolve to withstand adversity, and built trust under pressure, the profile of a group dialing things in at the right time.