Blue Devil Girls' BB Wraps-up Season
Heather Forster and Raynisha Witherspoon earned All-League honors and Laurelle Byrne-Cody was named All-Academic as the Huntington High School girls' basketball team wrapped up its season.
The Blue Devils finished league play with a 6-8 mark and went 7-11 overall under head coach Mike Kaplan and assistant coach Marissa Bergmann. "We are a very young team with seven freshmen," Kaplan said. "Everyone has improved. They handled pressure and tough situations as if they were upper classmen."
Forster, a freshman forward, averaged 11.7 points per game, along with 11.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.6 steals and three blocks. She's been All-League in each of the past two seasons.
"Heather has improved tremendously since last season," Kaplan said. "She has much more confidence and has shown great signs of leadership. Her fundamental skills continue to improve." The freshman's finest performance of the season came in a 48-42 home victory over Comsewogue. The 6'1 star scored 26 points, grabbed 25 rebounds and blocked six shots. It was one of the greatest displays in Blue Devil girls' basketball history.
Witherspoon, a junior guard, proved tough on the floor, averaging 6.8 points per game and always making something happen. "Raynisha really stepped up the second half of the season," Kaplan said. "Her positive attitude and leadership helped us win some big games."
The 5'7 teenager enjoyed a remarkable performance against Half Hollow Hills West on Senior Night in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium. Witherspoon scored 20 points and pulled down 15 rebounds to pace the Blue Devils to a 44-27 victory.
One of the season's highlights was a 40-31 home victory over a fast Copiague team. "They were one of the highest scoring teams in the county and second place team in our league," Kaplan said. "Our defense was great."
Another superb effort came in a 41-40 victory at Deer Park late in the season. "They were the defending county champs," Kaplan said. "Everyone contributed to this win."
Looking ahead to next winter, Huntington will return 10 varsity players. "Our league is going to be very competitive, but with all these players returning, they will be very prepared," Kaplan said. "The work they do during the off-season will allow them to be more successful."