Sophomore Emily Plachta turned in the best night of her career, dropping 17 points and pulling down 15 rebounds to lead the Huntington girls’ basketball team past visiting Uniondale, 52-44.
The game was close through three quarters before the Blue Devils shifted into high gear in the final frame, outscoring the visitors, 18-7 and pushing Huntington over the finish line in its first home game of the winter season.
Huntington sophomore Emily Plachta scored 17 points and pulled down 15 rebounds against Uniondale.
Uniondale led 15-12 after the first quarter and 21-20 at halftime. The Knights padded their advantage during the third quarter and brought a 37-34 lead into the final eight minutes. That’s when Huntington’s offense finally exploded.
Plachta hit five shots from the floor and converted seven free throws in the game. Abby Maichin added 14 points. Jordan Forte scored nine points and Charlotte Maggio tallied six points and 10 rebounds. Holly Wright scored four points and Gianna Forte had two points.
The roster also includes Alexa Amorison, Katie Browne, Megan Byrnes, Makaylah Frazier, Lisa Martin, Junie Nostile and Isabella Toscano. Kaci McDonald is the team manager.
The Blue Devils are 3-1 after topping Bay Shore and Islip in the season opening tournament and falling to Our Lady of Mercy Academy in a non-league game. Huntington plays at Glen Cove on December 9 in another non-league game and then opens league play at Half Hollow Hills East on December 10.
This month’s schedule also includes league games with Copiague (December 17) and Centereach (December 20), a two game tournament at Center Moriches, with the first contest being played against Comsewogue on December 27 and the culminating game coming the next day. The team will also play in a festival game on December 29 at New York Institute of Technology.
League play resumes on January 3 at home against Smithtown West. The regular season schedule includes 20 games, including 12 against league foes.
The Blue Devil varsity is coached by Michael Kaplan and Marissa Bergmann Kaplan. John Romano is the junior varsity coach. Albert Cardenas is a volunteer assist.
The Huntington varsity is captained by junior Jordan Forte and seniors Holly Wright and Abby Maichin.
Kaplan has been the Blue Devil varsity coach since November 2009. In his first nine seasons he has compiled a record of 121-61 for a .665 winning percentage.