It was a frustrating season for Huntington High School’s boys’ junior varsity basketball team. The young Blue Devils often played well during the first half, even taking a lead into the locker-room at halftime only to falter in the second frame. Chalk it up to having many young players who needed experience and got it this winter.
The team was coached by Huntington alum Patrick Reilly and captained by sophomores Chris Segreti and Zach Gordon. The roster was filled with 16 players who gave each other everything they had.
The Blue Devil squad also included eighth grader Jack Uvena; freshmen Dylan Coleman, Kevin Drake, Elias Frazier, Charlies Girimonti, Harrison Krywak, Christopher Maichin, John Marziliano, Tyriek Mays-McKoy, Liam McDonald, Aidan McNulty, Teddy Tilliakos and Henry Vohs; and sophomore Joseph Shea.
Drake led the team with 12.7 points per game. “Kevin came into practice every day ready to learn and improve and it showed,” Reilly said. “He averaged around 20 points per game over the last five games of the season.”
Huntington featured many fine athletes on the roster, who just need a little bit more time to develop and play as a team. The Blue Devils dropped many games by competitive scores, including contests with Smithtown East (61-56), West Islip (51-44), Centereach (63-58) and Comsewogue (55-45).
The highlight of the season was a 65-56 victory over league foe Smithtown East. “It was a great team effort,” Reilly said. “Everyone contributed and we got our first win of the year.”
The JV players are already excited about taking the court next winter.
