Waldron's 23 Points Lead Blue Devils
The Huntington girls' basketball team roared in the opening minutes of last week's game against League IV foe Half Hollow Hills West as the Blue Devils opened a 14-1 lead and never looked back, downing the Colts, 53-25 before about 200 fans in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium.
Huntington senior Jackie Waldron scored 23 points, including five 3-point baskets, and pulled down 15 rebounds to lead the Blue Devils. The win marked the first league victory for new head coach Mike Kaplan who came to Huntington after serving for several years on the staff of the Harborfields girls' basketball program.
Heather Forster dropped in seven baskets for 14 points and added 10 rebounds and five blocked shots. Emma Hayes-Hurley contributed a team-high nine assists. Katie Nugent (six points, seven assists), Courtney O'Bryan (four points), Colleen Wright (four points) and Shea Scully (two points) also put points on the scoreboard. Wright and Scully were impressive during their time on the floor, combining for 22 rebounds.
Huntington led 18-3 after the opening eight minutes and held a 35-11 advantage at halftime. Waldron was devastating from the outside and Forster was equally "lights-out" under the basket. Hayes-Hurley controlled the pace of the game from her point-guard position and was the team's floor leader.
"This was an all around great team win," Kaplan said. "The ball movement and transition offense have improved tremendously. We started the game off with great intensity and it followed through out the entire game. The bench players did not allow for a letdown. They played with great intensity as well."
Huntington's onslaught continued in the second half as the Blue Devils outscored the Colts, 18-14 over the final 16 minutes. Kaplan was pleased to see his squad playing aggressive defense and happy Huntington enjoyed a lopsided rebounding advantage.
O'Bryan returned to the team after being sidelined by sickness. "She was able to get back into the swing of things," Kaplan said. The victory evened Huntington's overall record at 4-4 (1-2 in league play).
"The girls played hard and deserved the win," Kaplan said. "The girls have already overcome many obstacles thus far and they continue to improve as a team."