The Huntington girls’ basketball team opened a 10 point first quarter lead and went on to topple Bellport on its home court on Thursday afternoon, 40-28. It was the Blue Devils third straight win in league play.
Fancy shooting helped Huntington take a 19-9 advantage eight minutes into the game. The Blue Devils led at halftime, 27-15 and were never really threatened the rest of the way.
Christie Baade turned in another strong effort with 11 points and eight rebounds. Junie Nosile had nine points, five blocks and nine rebounds. The victory gives Huntington a 5-4 record in Suffolk League III.
Abby Maichin scored eight points and played great defense and helped Huntington gain an early edge. Emily Plachta had four points and Jordan Forte, Gianna Forte and Alyssa Sorensen all had two points each. Paige Lennon and Charlotte Maggio both added one point.
“Today was all about teamwork,” Maichin said. “As a team, we worked hard together, limiting our turnovers and helping each other to secure the win. I just have to stay out of foul trouble. Offensively, I saw the court really well and was able to find the open girl.”
Huntington is coached by Mike Kaplan and Marissa Bergmann. Now in his ninth season as the Blue Devils’ head coach, Kaplan owns a career mark of 118-56. The team has qualified for the post-season in seven of Kaplan’s first eight seasons and everyone on the current squad hopes to make it eight-for-nine this winter.
Huntington badly needed a win at Bellport and it got it, thanks to everyone being on the same page. “The game went well,” Sorensen said. “The passing was phenomenal and we really pushed through to get the win.”
The Blue Devils have league games remaining with North Babylon, Newfield, Smithtown East, Deer Park, West Islip, Centereach and Comsewogue.
Baade has been playing a key role in Huntington’s resurgence and her performance at Bellport was one of her best this winter. “I felt great,” she said. “We really came together as a team and pushed it out.”
Looking ahead to the next seven games, Huntington knows it has its hands full, but players also believe they are capable of beating anyone when the Blue Devils are playing well.
“Our goal is to win as a team and win together,” Maichin said. “We’ve been trying to figure out how we can win as a unit and as one, with confidence and energy. I think today was a first step toward having an extremely successful second half of the season and it will hopefully carry us through the playoffs.”
