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Hillcrest Lutheran Academy took good care of the ball on Friday night, committing only 11 turnovers, and forced 21 Underwood turnovers, as the Comets recorded a 67-48 win over the Rockets. “Tonight was a fun night in the Underwood gym,” said Hillcrest Head Coach Ryan Garvin. “Great energy from the fans on senior night. Coach Shebeck had their boys ready to play. They worked hard on the defensive end and really got some great looks against our defense. They played with patient aggressiveness.”
Garvin continued, “For our part, we played much of the first half with an impatience that I think stemmed from our thinking that we could just hammer the ball into the paint without making the Rockets shift their defense. We took a lot of contested shots, a lot more than necessary. We go most of our great looks in the last five minutes of the first half when we moved the ball well. I thought we were a bit more patient in the second half, but, credit the Rockets, we never really got into a rhythm. We were able to just continue to battle and body and finish at the rim. It wasn’t our best work, but our boys fought hard tonight and sometimes that’s what it takes.”
Noah Brumfield (16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) and Luke Christensen (16 pints, 5 rebounds, 7 blocks) led the Comets effort. Justin Petersen had 13 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds, while Preston Berge contributed 7 rebounds to go along with his 4 points.
“This was our senior night, and we couldn’t ask for three better seniors, Cole Peterson, Jayden Harig and Jack Parker,” said Coach Kellen Shebeck of the Rockets. “All three are excellent examples of leadership on the court, and have been key pieces to our program and building the culture for the future. All three have a very bright future, and I am very excited for them.”
Underwood shot 42% from the field. They were led by 13 points and 8 rebounds from Peterson, and 10 points from Hudson Risbrudt. Gavin Pausch added 3 blocked shots, 3 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals to go along with 6 points. Evan Lundgren contributed 9 points.
“I’m proud of the guys’ effort tonight,” said Underwood Head Coach Shebeck. “We didn’t take care of the ball as well as needed against a very good Hillcrest team. We struggled against their length at times, turning the ball over 20 times and giving up 13 offensive boards, but also grabbed 11 of our own.”
Hillcrest (18-4, 12-2 LEC) takes a 4 game winning streak to Battle Lake on Tuesday. They also have road games at Border West on Thursday and at Lake Park-Audubon on Friday.
Underwood (10-12, 7-8 LEC) is home against Park Christian on Thursday and will host Henning on Friday.