Comet Girls Gain Traction in Moving to 3-1
At the heart of their journey, the young Comets team is forging a remarkable storyline for their season. As they draw nearer to Jesus Christ in the locker room, their quest for identity and unwavering resolve on the court mirrors the habits they display on the court. This was seen clearly in their third straight victory, earned over a strong Wheaton team last week.
Elsa Retzlaff, a beacon of sharpshooting brilliance, connected on 7 of 11 three-point attempts, amassing 29 points. Meanwhile, Ella Knutson showcased her versatility with another double-double, contributing 23 points and securing ten rebounds. Their combined effort propelled the Hillcrest girls' basketball team to a 71-54 victory on their home court against Wheaton/Herman-Norcross.
Head Coach Hannah Clark remarked, "Elsa and Ella had great nights, leading us on the offensive end."
The Comets shined with contributions from many players throughout the night. Kate Olstad, who, despite contributing just 4 points, dominated the boards with 13 crucial rebounds. Aaveah Stender chipped in 8 points, Ruby Peterson and Brooke Swedberg added 3 and 2 points, respectively, and Emma Berge contributed 2 points.
“Kate played a great game for us,” noted Coach Clark. “She was strong on the boards and she also came up with so many loose balls and tie-ups. Aaveah did a great job timing her post seals and is starting to come along at her position.”
On the opposing side, Julia Schmidt led the Warriors with 18 points.
“Our offense is really starting to come together,” added Clark. “We are moving the ball much better than we have in previous games and the girls are becoming more and more confident each night. Our defense provided a nice spark for us and I think it will continue to drive our intensity and energy throughout the season.”
With a remarkable three-game winning streak, Hillcrest (3-2) looks ahead to their pre-Christmas clash in Graceville. The story of this young Comets team, bound together in faith and camaraderie, continues to unfold on and off the court, as they draw closer in unity and purpose and forge a strong identity.
The fifth graders used Dr. Kathy Koch’s concept of the “8 Smarts” to creatively express worship in ways that reach all learners. They performed a skit and gave teaching to give a special teaching on worship. Mrs. Diniz explains, "Worship is more than singing songs. It’s using our voices, our minds, and our hearts to connect with God, to honor Him, and to invite others to see Him at work in our lives.” This belief in an all-encompassing approach to worship is the foundation of Hillcrest’s classical model, where learning and worship are woven together to deepen students' understanding and love for God.