In a night etched into Hillcrest Comets history, a restless crowd rose to its feet early in the first half when freshman Elsa Retzlaff squared up on the wing and sent a deep three-pointer soaring through the net—claiming her 1,000th career point. This remarkable milestone, achieved by a ninth-grader, set the tone for a dominating 72–39 victory over the Battle Lake Battlers and underscored the Comets’ team identity: tough defense breeds explosive offense.

After a tough loss to the Park Christian Falcons, the Comets shook off a sluggish start and carried a 29-20 edge into the locker room at halftime. Head Coach Donavan Rogness acknowledged the team’s early lull but credited his players for flipping the switch in the second half to earn a 67-36 win Tuesday night.

The classical education model values exposure to the great books of Western civilization—not only so that students gain an affinity for them but also to cultivate wisdom, virtue, and maturity. Reading The Iliad, for instance, challenges students to grapple with themes like heroism and the consequences of pride. The Odyssey demonstrates the importance of perseverance, loyalty, and identity, while Herodotus invites reflections on human nature, cultural values, and divine providence. Tableau takes these vital lessons and moves them from head knowledge to heart conviction.

By halftime, Hillcrest held a 31–23 lead. Coach Hannah Clark noted how proud she was of her squad’s execution, saying, “They are an unselfish group of girls who continue to buy into their roles for the success of the team.” True to that statement, several Comets contributed after the break. With Underwood keying in on Elsa, senior guard Elin Retzlaff shouldered the scoring load in the second half, attacking the rim with confidence and pouring in a game-high 19 points.

Although the Comets and Falcons each came away with one win apiece, the true highlight of the night was the competitive spirit and camaraderie between these two friendly rivals. Fans were treated to scrappy defense, timely shooting, and the kind of atmosphere that only high school sports can bring. With plenty of season left, both squads will continue to refine their games and aim for a strong finish.

In yet another standout performance that underscores why they’re one of the top teams in the state, Hillcrest Comets Girls Basketball cruised past Rothsay with a dominant 72–36 victory. From the opening whistle, Hillcrest’s was fueled by more than a solid game plan and talented athletes. On any given night, any one of the Comets players can step up at a key moment to fuel the team to pull away. It reveals their incredible trust in each other and an unwavering resolve to band together for a common purpose.

The Comet Boys are finding their stride, powered by a resilient defense that relies on help defense and quick passes. Through the past week of Basketball, fans witnessed a Comet team coming together. In Tuesday night’s home showdown against the New York Mills Eagles, the Comets’ energetic start and unrelenting pressure forced 20 turnovers—15 of them in the first half alone—helping Hillcrest jump out to an 18-point lead. At the final buzzer, the Comets locked up a 76-34 victory behind their suffocating defense, holding the Eagles to just 14 points in the second half.

In a classical education, students progress from absorbing concrete truths (grammar), to grasping their deeper meanings (logic), to applying them in real life (rhetoric). Joy, commonly recogized as a “genius quality,” is especially vital for students to explore and develop. Joy fuels curiosity, resilience, and a love of learning—a spark that ignites both the imagination and the heart. This is one reason chapel matters so deeply at Hillcrest. It reinforces that real knowledge is never just intellectual—it’s transformational, guiding kids to integrate faith and wisdom.

In a game where most things that have come naturally all season suddenly felt difficult, the Hillcrest Comet Girls leaned on their unity, resiliency, and gritty possession-by-possession focus to secure a 78–56 victory over a determined Parkers squad.

In one of the toughest matchups they’ll face all season, the Hillcrest Comets Boys showed tremendous intensity and resolve Tuesday night, staving off a late surge from the physical Border West Buccaneers to secure a thrilling 59-57 home victory. Both teams expended every ounce of energy in a contest that demanded mental sharpness and physical endurance from tipoff to the final buzzer.

At Hillcrest, we celebrate a well-rounded approach to education. Yes, we want strong academics and a solid faith foundation, but we also recognize how vital it is to live out joy, service, and community. Whether belting out Christmas carols around town or getting a morning high five from a Hillcrest dad, each act reminds us that authentic leadership is about using our God-given gifts to bless others. And, as our students discover, that’s the heart of the classical model at Hillcrest: learning that leads to serving, all while growing deeper in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Alumni and friends of Hillcrest gave in a big way to end the calendar year. President Brad Hoganson is thanking them today for the way they have bolstered the vision and mission of Hillcrest to equip students for lives of eternal significance.

Amid the smothering defense and offensive fireworks that lead to the 78-32 win, Senior Kate Olstad scored her 1,000th career point—a remarkable milestone that reflects her unwavering work ethic and commitment.

The Comets dug deep Tuesday night, scrapping their way to a 59-50 victory over the Ashby Arrows. After a slow start that left them trailing by three at the half, the boys found an extra gear in the second, outscoring Ashby 35-23 to seal the win.

President Brad Hoganson has a special greeting, with a testimony from Patrick Genius, a student from Norway. We are excited for what God has in store for Hillcrest Academy.

As the girls head into the Christmas break on a high note, they do so knowing their success goes beyond the final scores. Each athlete is learning how her individual strengths add new layers to a collective, ever-growing basketball family. With bigger matchups waiting in the new year, the Comets have proven they can handle the pressure. If these two heart-stopping victories are any indication, Hillcrest’s surge in the rankings may only be the beginning of an unforgettable season.

The Comets displayed resilience and discipline, outscoring the Chargers by seven points in the second half. Their defensive tenacity and ability to execute under pressure proved to be the deciding factors in a game that was as much a mental battle as a physical one.

The spark for the Comets 74-36 win came from Sean Berge, who dazzled with a 23-point performance, including four long-range three-pointers that left the Battlers scrambling. Ethan Swedberg added to the offensive firepower, scoring 14 points and solidifying the team’s balanced attack.

“Ella and Elin both had nice all-around games,” Coach Hannah Clark noted of the 76-46 win. “Ruby continues to be so solid for us on both ends of the floor,” Clark continued, noting that the game was a genuine team effort; every player embraced her role and played with visible joy and determination.

The game started in a flurry, as both teams traded blows throughout the first half. At the break, the Comets clung to a narrow 41-40 lead, with Hancock’s star, Karleigh Rohloff, showing her scoring prowess early. Hillcrest never flinched. Instead, they responded with a balanced attack, featuring the savvy defensive play of senior guard Ella Knutson and the disruptive anticipation of Ruby Peterson, whose relentless effort on defense sparked crucial turnovers.