In a few weeks they will be heading off to college, but first they were offered congratulations for a job well done. Three Huntington High School boys’ basketball players were recognized at the 49th Blue Devil senior athletic awards dinner in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium.
Kevin Lawrence was named the team’s MVP. James Shea captured the Coaches Award and Alejandro Hinds was lauded as the Most Improved Player.
Lawrence earned spots on the All-League and All-Conference teams after tallying 18 points per game and pulling down an average of 10.1 rebounds. “As a sophomore, the coaches became well aware of what a terrific kid Kevin was,” head coach Brian Carey said. “Of his own accord, he took home and washed the practice stuff of a teammate who needed some help. No fanfare; he just saw a teammate who needed help and stepped forward on his own.”
The teenager is headed to New England College where he intends to play basketball. He also played on the Blue Devil varsity golf team.
“Kev also had a great passion for the game and he was willing to work hard at his skills in the offseason,” Carey said. “He has been an integral part of our program for the past 77 games. It was fitting that this past season, his senior year, he would lead our team.”
Shea plans to attend Nichols College where he intends to study criminal justice. He also played on Huntington’s football and lacrosse teams.
“Every team needs a player who brings a whole bunch of intangibles to the table on an everyday basis and not the least of these is a no-quit attitude that is easily recognized by coaches and teammates as well as fans,” Carey said. “The guy who makes the hustle plays; the guy who dictates the necessary ‘change of pace;’ the player who does the little things so well that they often go unnoticed; the guy who seems to appear as a major player in all the significant pieces of action of practices and games and for our team, that player in both practice and in games was James Shea.”
The teenager plans to play football at Nichols College. “He’s a trusted teammate who truly understood that it’s what happens after the mistake that measures who we really are,” Carey said.
Hinds will be attending New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury. He’s interested in studying computer science.
“During his two seasons on the varsity team, Alejandro has been the ultimate teammate,” Carey said. “He had a great passion for the game coupled with a real sense of camaraderie and consistent competitive effort. On the bench during games, his demeanor and his knowledge of the sport were outstanding. When he got chances to play he made the most of them.”
The teenager has already interviewed with the NYIT basketball staff for the position of team manager. “We all expect that he will once again become the ultimate teammate,” Carey said. “Regardless of the circumstances, I know Alejandro will just keep getting better every day because he has proved he is really good at it.”
Each of the players received a large trophy with a small engraved plaque attached listing their name and their respective award.
