Blue Devil Sports News
The Huntington High School wrestling team won the 17th annual Big Ten Invitational at Albany High School as three Blue Devils captured individual weight class championships.
Huntington's John Arceri (96 lbs.), Corey Jamison (126 lbs.) and Nick Lupi (220 lbs.) were all crowned champions. Arceri was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler after he topped Pine Bush junior Chris Cuccolo, 5-2. Cuccolo won the prestigious Eastern States tournament earlier in the season.
Jamison earned a 7-0 decision in the finals over Kody Bruno of Queensbury. Lupi edged Nico Fragale of Burnt Hills in the finals, 3-1. Brandon Mendez (145 lbs.) and Anthony Puca (285 lbs.) both took second place in their respective weight classes.
Kyle Mock (6th at 106 lbs.), Tyshon Parker (4th at 113 lbs.), William Thomas (5th at 120 lbs.), Jorge Villela (5th at 138 lbs.), Joe Puca (3rd at 152 lbs.) and John Mallouk (4th at 160 lbs.) also placed in the tournament.
Nelson's Drops 17 to Lead HHS
Huntington senior Devon Nelson scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to propel the Blue Devil boys' basketball team past host West Babylon, 60-41.
Huntington led 14-7 after eight minutes of play and then went on a 15-3 run to build a 29-10 advantage by halftime. Kenny Charles and Patrick Reilly each scored eight points for the Blue Devils. Skylure Pannell had six points and 10 assists. Kenny McCarthy, Kiernan McGovern and Kevin Montefusco each had five points. Scott Gulizio added four points and Lee Reiver had two.
Cassell and Scott Impressive
Tom Scott captured the 200m individual medley and the 400m freestyle and Gunther Cassell won the 100m butterfly to lift the Huntington High School boys' swimming and diving team over host Deer Park, 96-89.
Forster Notches a Double-Double
Heather Forster was on fire, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to lead the Huntington High School girls' basketball team past host Half Hollow Hills West, 41-31.
Katie Nugent added 10 points, five assists and six rebounds and Raynisha Witherspoon had five points and seven rebounds. Huntington jumped out to a 7-5 first quarter lead and was ahead at halftime, 16-11. The Blue Devils opened an 11-point lead with a 15-9 third quarter run.
Katie Reilly had five points for Huntington, including the team's only three-point basket. Ellyn Byrnes scored four points and her sister, Tara and Joellen Ceide, scored one point.
Blue Devils fall to HHHW
Half Hollow Hills West proved to be too much for the Huntington boys' basketball team to handle as the Colts cruised past the Blue Devils, 70-38.
It was Booster Club Spirit Night in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium, with assorted contests and giveaways. A crowd of about 225 saw Hills West bolt out to a 19-7 first quarter lead and take a commanding 37-21 halftime advantage. A 20-10 third quarter run by the Colts put the game firmly out of reach.
Devon Nelson's 11 points led all Huntington scorers. Patrick Reilly had nine points and Kevin Montefusco scored seven points. The Blue Devils also received offensive output from Kiernan McGovern (four points), Kenny McCarthy (three points), Alex Castillo (two points) and Skylure Pannell (two points.)
Legendary Huntington head wrestling coach Louis D. Giani, Sr. attended the game, held in the gym that bears his name.
Loss Ends Regular Season
Second place in the final regular season league standings was at stake as the Huntington girls' basketball team took the court at Bellport late last week. The Blue Devils stayed close to the Clippers through the first three quarters before letting the game slip away in the final frame.
Bellport jumped out to an early 15-11 lead. The Clippers were ahead at halftime, 27-19. Huntington cut its deficit to six points by the end of the third quarter before Bellport went on a 13-5 run to claim a 49-35 victory.
Raynisha Witherspoon led the Blue Devils with 13 points. Heather Forster scored 12 points. Katie Nugent (four), Caitlin Knowles (three), Tara Byrnes (two) and Emma Hughes (one) combined for another 10 points.
Bellport outscored Huntington from the foul line, 14-5.
BOE Approves Trips
The Huntington School Board has approved trips by the Blue Devil crew team to the New York State championships in Saratoga from May 10-12 and the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia from May 16-18.
Huntington crew is coached by Robert Polizzo and Vincent Morello. Approximately 35 rowers will travel to the state championships and 15 will make the trek to Philadelphia.
Coaches Appointed
Huntington School Board members appointed four coaches during their meeting this past Monday night. The Blue Devil staff members include James Byrnes (JV softball), Michael Kaplan (Finley asst. coach girls' lacrosse-blue team), Kevin Thorbourne (assistant varsity girls' track and field) and Patricia Quinn (Finley asst. girls' lacrosse-white team).