“We responded to the drubbing we received from Border West on Friday with a lot more competitive spirit tonight,” commented Hillcrest Head Coach Ryan Garvin. “It wasn't pretty - our field goal percentage won't probably end up looking very attractive when we get those numbers back - but we went to the glass with great effort tonight. We gave ourselves lots of opportunities to stay in it and keep battling for field goal attempts. Only scoring 20 points in the first half, we were mostly just pleased with the effort that our boys gave on the defensive end.”

Noah Brumfield finished with 16 points and 3 assists.  Luke Christensen scored 11 and Justin Petersen scored 9 points, secured 5 rebounds and dished out 7 assists.  Preston Berge grabbed 8 rebounds.  Garvin pointed out excellent defensive performances from Sean Berge and Gabe Swedenburg in particular.

"We played really good defense tonight", said Knights Coach Kraig Hunter.  "We didn't give them anything easy.  However, we weren't able to grab the ball at the end of possessions. 17 offensive rebounds, gives them 17 more possessions in the game. Also, you have to put the ball in the basket. We shot 16-46 for 35%. Lastly, we didn't play good situational basketball. You can't start games down 6-0, take the lead and then give up a 14-0 run to end the half and start the second half."

The Comets shot 19-51 for 37%.  The Knights made 12-12 free throws for 100% and the Comets made 9-13 for 69%.

Ben Bye led the Knights with a double double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, Bryce Kjesbo had 10 points, Jacob Strunk 8, Mitch Dewey 7, Cole Anderson 6, and Nasir Dotts 2.  Anderson and Dewey were the assist leaders with 6 and 3, respectively.  Dotts and Kjesbo each had 4 steals.

Hillcrest (14-3) will play at Breckenridge on Tuesday and at Parkers Prairie on Friday.

West Central Area (12-6) will play at Melrose on Thursday and at Ashby on Friday.