The Huntington boys’ basketball team took the court last Saturday for the nineteenth time this winter and turned in its best performance of the season, toppling powerful Bellport in a must-win game, 69-62 and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Playing in Walt Whitman High School’s cozy south gym due to the Huntington gym being unavailable after a flood required the court to be replaced, the Blue Devils faced down an opponent that had overwhelmed them by 20 points earlier in the year.
Huntington's basketball tradition is one of the oldest on Long Island.
But on Saturday, a different Blue Devil team showed up. Huntington shot 18-for-32 from two point range and 9-for-21 beyond the three-point arc, hitting clutch baskets throughout the game.
Clayton Ward had 20 points, six rebounds, two steals and an assist to lead Huntington. The senior knocked down 4-of-7 three point attempts and shot 3-for-5 from the field and 2-for-4 from the free throw line
Ward was supported by another strong effort by Max Rentsch. The senior tallied 12 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and a block. He shot a blistering 5-for-6 from the floor.
Playmaker Dylan Coleman had 10 points and 10 assists along with three steals. Hunter Borenstein also played well with 14 points, six rebounds and an assist. The junior shot 50 percent from two point range and was 2-for-3 from beyond the arc.
Senior Kevin Drake had his biggest game of the season with 13 points, four assists and a steal. He dropped a trio of three-pointers.
Charlie Girimonti, Henry Vohs and Aidan McNulty all came off the bench and played well while giving Huntington’s starters a much needed break. McNulty grabbed three rebounds and dished out an assist.
The teams battled to a first quarter standoff at 14-14 before Huntington took a 30-28 lead into halftime. The Blue Devils extended their advantage to 46-41 after three quarters and eventually built a double digit lead before Bellport came charging back in the final minutes.
The game played out before a loud crowd in the intimate gym where fans are close to the court. The victory improved Huntington to 10-9 overall.
The Blue Devils need to defeat Copiague on Wednesday to advance to the playoffs. The game will be played at Walt Whitman’s north gym. Tipoff is set for 7:15 p.m. It will be Senior Day for Huntington.
Copiague topped Huntington, 81-57 on January 10.