Comets Come Up Short in Dramatic Finish, But Their Growth Is on Full Display
Down three with only 0.6 seconds on the clock, the Hillcrest Comets huddled in a frenzied circle during Monday night’s matchup against the Class 2A regional powerhouse Pelican Rapids Vikings. The gym was electric, tension crackling through the bleachers as first-year head coach Donovan Rogness drew up the final play. When the whistle blew, the Comets burst from the huddle with determination, poised to execute Rogness’ designed play.
All eyes darted around the court as the ball was inbounded. Would the pass end up in the hands of sharpshooter Lincoln Nash, who had knocked down big shots from beyond the arc all night despite battling illness all week? Or would it find junior Ethan Swedberg, the hot hand who had just sunk a clutch three moments earlier? Instead, the pass found junior Preston Berge at the volleyball line. Berge elevated amidst a swarm of defenders, releasing a high-arcing shot that seemed destined for the basket—until it softly glanced off the front of the rim, sealing a heartbreaking 56-53 loss for the Comets.
Despite the sting of the narrow defeat, the evening’s performance showcased just how far Hillcrest has come this season. Trailing 29-23 at halftime, the Comets showed impressive grit as a team flying under the radar in the Class 1A rankings, clawing their way back with relentless defensive intensity. “Proud of the team’s battle and physicality tonight,” said Coach Rogness. “We got down by 10 in the first half, and the game could have gotten away from us, but we really locked in our defensive intensity and ended the half down six. From there, the second half was a back and forth.”
The Comets ultimately found themselves on the wrong side of a few crucial moments, including a deep three from Pelican Rapids’ Miguel Torres—who scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half—and a decided advantage at the free-throw line for the Vikings (17-for-20). On the other hand, Hillcrest struggled from the stripe, going 9-for-19.
Yet there’s no question that the Comets are progressing at the right time, with playoffs on the horizon. Berge, in particular, has been a key contributor to Hillcrest’s cohesion and success. The senior poured in 16 points against the Vikings, and his willingness to take big shots—even one from way beyond the arc with the game on the line—embodies his growth. Each week, Berge looks stronger, more confident, and more ready to lead his teammates.
Junior Ethan Swedberg (12 points) also came through in big moments, connecting on a critical three-pointer late in the game to keep Hillcrest close. Meanwhile, junior Sean Berge added nine points to bolster the Comets’ balanced attack. Nash, fighting through recent illness, hit several timely shots, further illustrating the never-quit mentality that defines this team.
Though Monday’s defeat drops the Comets to 9-5, spirits in the Hillcrest locker room remain high. The synergy on and off the court is evident, and the players are determined to continue their upward climb. They’ll get a chance to regroup and build on their momentum tonight as they return home to host conference rival Hancock (8-7).
As the final seconds in Pelican Rapids proved, the Comets will put up a fight until the buzzer sounds. With Berge becoming a bona fide team leader, Swedberg hitting shots at key moments, and a roster that refuses to back down, Hillcrest looks poised to peak at just the right time. The season is far from over, and if Monday’s thriller is any indication, the Comets are only heating up.