Forster & Witherspoon Notch
Double-Doubles
Heather Forster and Raynisha Witherspoon notched double-doubles to lead the Huntington High School girls’ basketball team past visiting Amityville last Friday night in the season-opener, 64-29.
Forster had 16 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks and Witherspoon, the team’s only senior, added 13 points and 11 rebounds as the Blue Devils coasted before a crowd of 125 in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium. Nine Huntington players scored in the game.
“This was a great way to start the season off,” said Mike Kaplan, the Blue Devils’ third year head coach. Katie Nugent dished off six assists and added four points. Katie Reilly had six steals and two points. Joellen Ceide and Caitlin Knowles added six points each, respectively.
“We played very unselfish on the offensive end and stayed composed under the pressure of Amityville’s press,” Kaplan said. “We were also able to get past how tough and physical their players were.”
Huntington built a 19-12 lead over the opening eight minutes of play before going on a 9-0 second quarter run to grab a 28-12 halftime advantage. The Blue Devils went on to outscore the Crimson Tide 36-17 in the second half.
Ellyn Byrnes came off the bench and scored 10 points to boost Huntington. “She brought great energy when she came in the game,” Kaplan said. The Blue Devils were aggressive on defense, forcing countless turnovers. Huntington kept its mistakes to a minimum and took command of the game early.
A deep roster proved advantageous to Huntington, as Taylor Moreno scored four points and Lindsay Sullivan pumped in another three for the Blue Devils. “Our bench players stepped up,” Kaplan said.
Huntington will host Central Islip this Friday night (Dec. 7) at 6:15 p.m. in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium.
Blue Devil Notes: Witherspoon scored Huntington lone three-point basket . . . The Blue Devils scored five points from the foul line . . . Huntington wrestling coach Kieran Mock was in the gym and watched most of the second half . . . The Huntington boys’ varsity team scrimmaged Walt Whitman prior to the girls’ game.