Emily Plachta scored 25 points and added 12 rebounds and four steals to lead the Huntington girls’ basketball team over visiting Hauppauge in a non-league game last Friday, 70-33.
Plachta’s big night included four three-point baskets from beyond the arc. Junie Nosile had 10 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks and Makaylah Frazier tallied 10 points and six steals as the Blue Devils improved to 2-0.
“It was a really great night,” said Plachta, who was magnificent on both offense and defense. “I’m so happy to have been part of such a fun game! I’m so excited to continue the season and play on Tuesday at Smithtown West.”
Huntington led 19-7 after the first period and 38-16 at halftime. The Blue Devils went on to outscore the Eagles in the second half, 32-17.
The game saw 11 Huntington players score points, including Katie Browne, who dropped four baskets from the floor for eight points. Shaneek Shand had five points and Lauren Donaghy scored three points. Teddi Carnesi, Asyria Rios, Reese Rinaldi and Jolie Weinschreider all scored two points each. Gianni Forte, who is returning from an injury sustained during soccer season scored a point from the free throw line.
The Blue Devils play at Smithtown West in the league opener tonight at 5 p.m. Huntington hosts North Babylon on Friday at 4 p.m.
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Huntington’s junior varsity girls’ basketball team also topped Hauppauge, 28-13. New JV head coach and Blue Devil alum Katie Reilly won the debut game of her Huntington coaching career.
The Blue Devils made five-of-six free throws in the first quarter, with Zaida Correal and Marley Joseph both going two-for-two from the line, but Huntington still trailed 9-7 at halftime.
“The girls were on fire on defense, causing turnovers and making steals throughout the whole game,” Reilly said. “Kaylee Smalling was really shining on defense.”
Led by Neurdia Osias, the momentum swung toward Huntington as the second half got underway. “Neurdia had 11 points in just the second half and was supported by Aylana Powell, who made two huge plays in the third quarter,” Reilly said. “Another exciting moment was when Theresa Rivera scored on a lay-up on a breakaway and made it a three-point play by scoring on the foul shot.”
