Comets Lock In Late, Defeat Rothsay 62–46 to Advance to Section Championship

The Hillcrest Comets are one win away from a trip to the state tournament after delivering a strong second-half to defeat the Rothsay Tigers 62–46 in the section semifinal. With the victory, the Comets advance to the Section Championship game, where they will play Friday for the right to extend their season and compete at the Minnesota State Tournament.

Hillcrest showed resilience throughout the night, overcoming an early push from Rothsay before locking in defensively and taking control in the second half. The Comets led just 32–28 at halftime, but a dominant defensive stretch after the break helped Hillcrest outscore Rothsay 30–18 in the second half, turning a tight contest into a decisive playoff victory.

Head Coach Hannah Clark credited the team’s focus and defensive intensity for the shift in momentum.

“This was a good win against a really good Rothsay team who has had a very successful season. We seemed a step behind early in the game and Rothsay was able to convert on our defensive miscues. I really liked how the girls came out in the second half and defended. Our focus and pressure led to multiple stops in the first couple of minutes and we were able to use that run to help settle us on both ends of the floor.”

The Comets were led by a dominant inside-out performance from Elin Retzlaff, who finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds, recording a double-double while controlling the glass. Retzlaff shot 8-of-17 from the field and helped anchor Hillcrest’s rebounding advantage with a team-high 13 boards, including key defensive rebounds that ended Rothsay possessions.

Right behind her was Elsa Retzlaff, who added 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Elsa stretched the defense throughout the night, knocking down five three-pointers while also contributing inside. Her ability to score from multiple levels kept the Comet offense flowing and prevented Rothsay from collapsing the defense in the paint. Ella Knutson delivered one of the most complete performances of the night, finishing with 12 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Knutson directed the offense efficiently while creating opportunities for teammates, accounting for nearly half of Hillcrest’s 13 total assists. Her defensive presence and court vision helped spark the Comets’ second-half run.

Hillcrest’s defensive pressure proved to be a decisive factor. The Comets forced turnovers and generated transition opportunities, finishing the night with 16 steals as a team while collecting 36 total rebounds. Emme Berge provided a major defensive spark with 6 steals, along with 5 points and 5 rebounds, disrupting Rothsay’s offensive rhythm throughout the game. Her activity on the perimeter helped ignite the defensive surge that allowed Hillcrest to create separation in the second half.

Additional contributions came from Stella Moline, who added 4 points and 2 rebounds, including a pair of timely baskets that helped shift momentum during Hillcrest’s second-half run. Coach Clark noted how both Moline and Berge stepped up in key moments.

“Elin, Elsa, and Ella led the team in scoring, and I thought they did a nice job directing our offense. Stella and Emme both hit some big, timely shots that really helped momentum shift our way.”

As a team, Hillcrest shot 21-of-57 from the field (36%), including 12-of-22 on two-point attempts (54%) while converting 11-of-17 free throws (64%). The Comets also knocked down nine three-pointers, providing a balanced scoring attack that kept the Tigers from mounting a late comeback.

Now the focus shifts to the biggest game of the season. With the victory, the Comets advance to the Section Championship, where they will compete for a chance to punch their ticket to the Minnesota State Tournament. After navigating a strong Rothsay squad and tightening their defensive focus in the second half, Hillcrest is locked in at the right time.