Retzlaff Reaches 1,000 as Comets Battle Top-Ranked Rangers at State

The Comets stepped onto the Williams Arena floor Friday afternoon for the Class A state semifinal and opened the game with determination. With pressure and solid rebounding, Hillcrest built a 19–7 lead in the opening six minutes, executing well on both ends of the floor and forcing the top-seeded Mountain Iron-Buhl Rangers to adjust early. With the Rangers on their heels, pulling themselves together in a timeout, the Comets drilled down and set in for what would be a long, arduous night against a formidable opponent. The Comets finished the first half with 34 points, keeping the game within reach at 39–34 at halftime after Mountain Iron-Buhl made timely shots and switched up their game plan to match the Comets execution.

Mountain Iron-Buhl gradually created separation in the second half, outscoring Hillcrest 39–22 after the break to cruise to a 78–56 victory, but the Comets continued to compete throughout the game while delivering several notable individual and team performances.

Eighth-grader Elin Retzlaff again carried much of Hillcrest’s offensive production. Retzlaff scored 29 points, shooting 10-for-18 from the field (55%), including 9-of-14 on two-point attempts (64%), while adding 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. She also contributed 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 4 steals, impacting the game in multiple areas. Late in the game, Retzlaff reached an important milestone when she surpassed 1,000 career points, doing so on one of the biggest stages in Minnesota high school basketball.

Hillcrest received additional scoring from several players. Elsa Retzlaff added 10 points, knocking down 4 of 19 field-goal attempts, including 2 three-pointers, while also contributing 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals. Aaveah Stender provided efficient interior scoring with 6 points on 3-of-5 shooting (60%) and collected 4 rebounds along with an assist and a block. And Stella Moline contributed 6 points, shooting 2-for-6 from the field, while adding an assist and a steal.

Senior Ella Knutson delivered one of the most complete stat lines of the afternoon, scoring 5 points, grabbing a team-high 8 rebounds, recording 5 assists, and adding 6 steals, consistently influencing the game on the defensive end and helping initiate Hillcrest’s offense.

As a team, Hillcrest shot 21-for-60 from the field (35%), including 5-for-24 from three-point range (20%) and 9-of-12 at the free-throw line (75%). Inside the arc, the Comets were more efficient, going 16-for-36 (44%) on two-point attempts, but struggled to find consistency from long range against the Rangers’ defense, which the Comets kept in step on their defensive side. Hillcrest tallied 15 steals, 4 blocked shots and 22 total rebounds, displaying the unity of the team which has been a hallmark all season. The Comets finished with 12 assists as a team, another mark of unity as they battled against the State’s top team in Class A.

Along with the performance on the court, the Hillcrest community was visible throughout the afternoon. Students, families, and alumni filled the Comet section at Williams Arena, creating a strong presence behind the team. That support matched the team’s approach all season, balanced contributions, defensive effort, and players stepping into their roles when needed.

Hillcrest will now conclude its state tournament run in the third-place game Saturday morning at the Gangelhoff Center on the campus of Concordia University in St. Paul.