Hillcrest’s Tight-Knit Teamwork Shines in Nail-Biter Win

With time winding down and the Comets clinging to one last offensive push, Junior guard Zane Holmquist found himself open on the left wing. “We decided not to call a timeout in our final possession,” Comet coach Donny Rogness recounted, “(we) let the boys naturally play to find their shot. They worked the ball around, and with 18 seconds left, Zane found himself open on the left wing.” No timeout. No drawn-up play. Just confidence and trust in his players. “He appeared confident. Without hesitation, he shot the ball. And made it. It’s the type of basketball we play. We’re a team, and anyone can score at any time. It was an exciting moment.”

Holmquist’s clutch three-pointer sealed the Hillcrest Comets’ dramatic 58-57 overtime victory over the Rothsay Tigers, a game where Hillcrest overcame numerous hurdles. Rothsay controlled most of the contest, taking a 30-26 lead at halftime and setting the tone with a strong interior presence. But Hillcrest’s energy, rooted in encouragement and discipline, rose in the second half. The Comets ramped up their defensive efforts, clawing back possession by possession until they forced overtime.

In extra time, Senior Preston Berge delivered a pivotal three-pointer to tie the game with less than a minute remaining. He finished with a game-high 17 points, showing leadership and grit in clutch moments. Junior Lincoln Nash contributed 14 points and locked down Rothsay’s standout senior guard, Preston Curtis, who ended the game with a team-high 12 points for Rothsay. Meanwhile, Junior Sean Berge posted nine points, coming up with key defensive stops, and Junior Ethan Swedberg grabbed several crucial rebounds in overtime to set the stage for Holmquist’s heroics.

Hillcrest showcased how a committed, tight-knit roster can overcome any deficit by staying focused on the fundamentals, communicating on defense, boxing out on rebounds, and making the extra pass. Their resilience was on display Monday night as their focused approach eventually wore down Rothsay. When overtime arrived, the Comets kept believing, turning adversity into a defining moment.

With the come-from-behind victory, Hillcrest improves to 12-5 on the season. The Comets will return on their home floor on Tuesday night against Ashby.