Junior Abby Maichin scored a career high 24 points to help the Huntington girls’ basketball team topple host Centereach, 44-23 and clinch a berth in the Suffolk Class AA playoffs.
Maichin was splendid, connecting for seven field goals, a three pointer and seven free throws. She added six steals and a pair of blocks.
“Today was a big win for us because we were able to clinch playoffs and start getting our minds focused on the post-season,” Maichin said. If we keep up our energy and intensity on both ends of the court, we are set up in the right direction to make a big run in the playoffs. Today we were able to make a big defensive effort and limit their scoring, but now we just need to convert that onto the offensive side of the court.”
The Blue Devils led 14-9 after the first quarter and 24-15 at halftime. They went on to outscore Centereach in the second half, 20-8.
The playoff berth marks the seventh consecutive season the Huntington girls’ basketball team has advanced to post-season play under head coach Michael Kaplan.
Blue Devil freshman Emily Plachta pulled down seven rebounds and scored 15 points in the game, including four field goals, a three-pointer and four free throws. Freshman Makaylah Frazier had three points and senior Christie Baade and freshman Junie Nosile each scored one point from the foul line.
“It was a great all-around by everyone,” said Kaplan, who improved his Blue Devil coaching mark to 121-59 in nine seasons. “We are striving to get a little bit better every day at practice.”
Huntington hosts Comsewogue on Thursday night in the final regular season game. The 5:45 p.m. tipoff will be preceded by a Senior Day ceremony in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium. Seniors Christie Baade, Paige Lennon and Alyssa Sorensen will be honored by their coaches and teammates. A team party will follow in the school cafeteria.
