Comets Top Underwood As Retzlaff Nears 1000
Comet fans traveled down Highway 210 Tuesday night, filling Underwood’s gym to see how the conference’s state-tournament team from last year would fare against the upstart Hillcrest Comets who have their sights set on punching their own ticket to Minneapolis this season. The crowd was not disappointed in a game that showcased Hillcrest’s balanced attack and unselfish play.
From the opening tip, the Comets dictated the tempo behind freshman Elsa Retzlaff, who dazzled with 17 first-half points. With Elsa sitting just three points shy of 1,000 in her Comet career, the gym buzzed every time she touched the ball. Though she’s on the cusp of a historic scoring milestone, Elsa’s focus remained firmly on helping the team. Her consistent passing and defensive hustle exemplified her unselfish approach.
By halftime, Hillcrest held a 31–23 lead. Comet 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, her younger sister, Elin Retzlaff, shouldered the scoring load in the second half, attacking the rim with confidence and pouring in a game-high 19 points.
Meanwhile, the Comets’ defense never let up. Emme Berge worked tirelessly to contain Underwood’s top threat, forcing difficult looks at the basket. Ruby Peterson made her presence felt with timely steals and tie-ups, sparking fast breaks that stretched the lead. By the final buzzer, Hillcrest locked down a 57–42 victory, earning high praise from Coach Clark: “I thought our girls played great defense. Emme did a great job making Trinity work for every look. Ruby came up with some big steals and tie ups in the second half.”
The Comets received balanced contributions from Ella Knutson (eight points, nine rebounds, three assists), Ruby Peterson (six points, four rebounds, six steals), Aaveah Stender (four points, five rebounds), and Kate Olstad (two points, five rebounds). Berge dominated the glass with eight rebounds of her own, helping the Comets close out Underwood for another important conference win.