The Huntington High School junior varsity boys’ basketball team has displayed potential during its shortened winter season.
The Blue Devils have worked hard since the campaign was allowed to start several weeks ago. Absent the COVID-19 pandemic, play would have begun in mid-November, but the public health crisis pushed practices and games off for two months.
Since taking the court, Huntington’s 13-player strong team has improved by leaps and bounds. The squad has split practice time between the high school and J. Taylor Finley Middle School, which features a completely refinished court.
Coached by Huntington alum Patrick Reilly, the Blue Devil roster includes freshmen Dillanger Albert, Harrison Baliber, Jayson Colato, Thomas Girimonti, Christopher Grover, Stephon McLeod-Houston, Daniel McNulty, Eli Soric, Jayden Taylor and Joseph Zink and sophomores Joseph Algieri, James Rosselli and Nicholas Sineno.
While the season has been dramatically shortened, the team was nevertheless thrilled to be able to practice and play. The squad was on the court long enough to show flashes of real promise for future success.
“We have a great group of players this year with an exciting style of play,” Reilly said. “Everyone has been working hard and steadily improving. It’s been a lot of fun coaching them.”
The Blue Devils grabbed a thrilling home court victory last Saturday, nipping Copiague, 45-44. Huntington had jumped out to an early 10 point advantage, but the Eagles came flying back in the second half.
McNulty pumped in 15 points to lead Huntington. Girimonti had 11 points and Rosselli added six points. The Blue Devils also received five points each from Baliber and Grover and three points from Sineno.
