Comets Rise to 74-30 Win in Ashby
Despite a wave of illness that has hit the coaching staff and the entire school hard, the Hillcrest Comets continue to find the energy and health to hit the court each night and dominate. Their latest triumph—a 74-30 victory over Ashby—showcased not only their depth but also their tenacity in the face of adversity.
Opposing teams are finding it nearly impossible to zero in on whom to defend among the Comets’ talented roster. Rather than focusing on stopping one or two key players, most teams end up conceding that someone from Hillcrest will inevitably put up big numbers. It’s no surprise, given the way the Comets rally around one another and share the load, leading to balanced scoring and stifling defense.
At halftime, Hillcrest held a commanding 47-6 lead. By the final buzzer, the Comets’ teamwork and relentless effort sealed a decisive 74-30 victory. Leading the way was Elin Retlzaff, who poured in 21 points, added four rebounds, and nabbed six steals. Ruby Peterson also showcased her all-around abilities, racking up 14 points, six assists, and seven steals, while Elsa Retzlaff chipped in 13 points and six steals.
In the paint, Kate Olstad hauled down 10 boards—proving crucial in limiting second-chance points for Ashby. Aaveah Stender (nine points, 5 rebounds), Natalie Maggert (five points), Emme Berge (two points, five rebounds), Paisley Garvin (two points), and Brooke Swedberg (two points, five rebounds) all contributed to the team’s success.
“Everyone on the team made important contributions,” Comet head coach Hannah Clark noted. “Elin and Ruby both had outstanding all-around games with their court awareness and vision. Kate was a force on the boards, and everyone else stepped up when we needed them.”
The Comets continue to dig deep and rally around each other, proving that their strength lies in unity. Night after night, they demonstrate that it’s not about stopping a single player—it’s about figuring out how to withstand the entire Comets squad. And as long as they keep sharing the load and celebrating the team, it doesn’t look like anyone will be slowing them down anytime soon. The Comets host Wheaton-Herman-Norcross at 7:15pm on Thursday, January 30.