Hillcrest Soars to No. 2 in Class A with Statement Win over Hancock
In a game that showcased their depth, discipline, and desire, the Hillcrest Comets made a massive statement on Tuesday night by taking down the now-ranked No. 10 Hancock Owls, 85-68, on the Owls’ home court. The victory propelled the Comets from No. 3 to No. 2 in the Class A girls’ basketball state rankings, validating the team’s steady growth and confident play throughout the season.
“I’m so proud of our girls for the way they competed,” said Hillcrest head coach Hannah Clark. “Good team win against a good Hancock team. Our girls played one of their best games of the year to secure the W on the Owl’s home court.”
From the opening tip, Hillcrest’s offense was firing on all cylinders, putting up 46 first-half points to take a 46-38 lead into the break. The Comets never lost momentum, tacking on another 39 in the second half to finish with 85 total points—one of their highest-scoring efforts this season.
Elsa Retzlaff paced Hillcrest’s offense, showcasing a smooth shooting stroke against an aggressive Hancock defense. Retzlaff finished with 28 points, four rebounds, and five steals. Clark noted, “Elsa was so good on offense. She handled the ball against a tough, aggressive defense and her shot looked so smooth.”
Elin Retzlaff stepped up in the second half as the Owls keyed in on her sister. Scoring 16 points to go with four rebounds and five steals, Elin was a part of Comet defense that was stifling. Ella Knutson was a cornerstone to the Comet defense on the night, pulling down eight rebounds and taking a game high seven assists to match her 12 point effort. “Ella had a really nice all around game,” Clark highlighted, “We needed her to be aggressive and she played so confident tonight.”
The Retzlaff and Knutson trio are a consistent base for Hillcrest’s success this season. However, the game churns on electrifying moments where sparks on the court propel Hillcrest to places other teams haven’t been able to reach. Ruby Peterson and Aveah Stender paired their twelve and ten point respective contributuions to lift Hillcrest. But it was Emme Berge’s hustle that was the x-factor in Tuesday’s game, chipping in five points, seven rebounds, and four assists to lift the Comets in the second half. “Emme had some big hustle plays that gave our team a needed spark throughout the game,” Clark noted in recapping the highlights of their big win.
The Comets’ elevation into one of the top teams in Class A has been fueled by a roster that believes in each other and executes Coach Clark’s vision of disciplined, team-first basketball. Each player is seamlessly embracing her role, and that synergy was on full display against the Owls.
The Comets take on Brandon-Evansville Thursday, January 23 to continue their disciplined play and hone their skills as they follow their trajectory of development and growth on the court.