Comets' Season Ends in Playoff Battle, But Forge Identity of Grit and Growth
The Hillcrest Comets’ season was nothing short of remarkable. What began as a disciplined but uncertain team searching for its identity became a relentless, battle-hardened squad that defined itself by sheer effort, unity, and an unshakable commitment to outworking every opponent.
The growth of this team was evident in every game, practice, and moment spent together on and off the court. At the start of the season, many players were stepping into unfamiliar roles, forced to lead in ways they hadn’t before. The burden of scoring, the pressure of leadership, and the demands of competition could have been overwhelming. Instead, the Comets embraced the challenge. Through discipline, trust, and an unwavering belief in each other, they forged an identity built on effort, heart, and a refusal to be outworked.
As the regular season ended, the Comets had transformed into a team with a singular mission: play harder, smarter, and tougher than anyone else. Their resilience carried them through tight contests, pushing them to a 21-7 record heading into the playoffs. By the time they stepped onto the court for their 6A quarterfinal matchup against Ada-Borup West, they were no longer a team searching for its identity—they were a team with a purpose.
The Comets’ season ended in that hard-fought battle against Ada-Borup West. After a competitive first half that saw Hillcrest trailing 27-24 at the break, the Cougars seized momentum with a decisive 10-0 run early in the second half. Despite executing their game plan well, the Comets struggled to find their rhythm from beyond the arc, going 0-for-8 in the first half and just 1-for-5 in the second. Free throw struggles added to the challenge, as Hillcrest converted only 6 of 16 attempts.
“Tough way to end the season,” Comet coach Donovan Rogness started following the game. “The boys battled all game long and executed the game plan well, but the shots just did not fall for us this afternoon. Credit to Ada Borup—they are a physical and skilled team that made things difficult for us.”
Even before the final buzzer signaled the end of their playoff run, it was evident the game wouldn’t define their season. The Comets met their opponents at midcourt to congratulate Ada-Borup West with heads held high, knowing they had made them work for every point. True to their identity, they played with a resolve to outwork and out-hustle their opponents, giving fans a reason to cheer, no matter the score.
“It’s hard to think of the season being over,” Rogness continued. “I know the coaching staff have loved the time with this team. They truly are a selfless and high-character group that played for each other so well. A special thank you to our seniors, Preston Berge, Cohen Draxten, and Issac Iverson. They led us well and made the game of basketball fun and joy-filled.”