The Huntington girls’ basketball team took a timeout from its great season to honor eight special players during a pre-game Senior Night ceremony. The Blue Devils later went out and topped Centereach in a league game.
The Blue Devils recognized Katie Browne, Theadora Carnesi, Makaylah Frazier Junie Nosile, Emily Plachta, Regan Sansiviero, Ashley Genao and Shaneek Shand during the touching ceremony celebrating their careers.
Emily Plachta and her family on Senior Day. (Darin Reed photo.)
Huntington head coach Michael Kaplan spoke about each of the seniors while assistant coach Marissa Bergmann, teammates, parents and family members and Superintendent James W. Polansky look on during the ceremony.
The players have been a part of the Huntington girls’ basketball family for many years and they have all contributed.
“Being a part of this team has taught me so many lessons, brought me new friends and created memories that will last forever,” Frazier said. “I am proud to be wearing a Blue Devil jersey every time I step onto the court. Growing up with the team and coaches has been an amazing experience and I hope we finish the season just as strong as we started it.”
The seniors were joined at half court by members of their family for a series of commemorative photos. The seniors were given gift bags along with flowers, which each of them presented to their mother.
“Wearing the Blue Devil girls’ basketball uniform is an honor and a privilege,” Plachta said. “It’s a chance to not only represent our school, but also our community and leave a legacy for those who hope to wear it in the future. I am and always will be proud to be a Blue Devil.”
Near the end of the ceremony, sophomore Kayleigh Bender and junior Gianna Forte addressed their teammates and the crowd, taking turns at the microphone to speak about each of the seniors and how much they have meant to the program and each of the underclassmen personally.
“It has been an honor to wear a Blue Devil girls basketball uniform,” Browne said. “The program that coaches Kaplan and Bergmann have built is prestigious and extremely special and I am so lucky to have had the privilege to wear No. 5 throughout my five years on the team. This program is not just a team, but a family. I have always felt really cared for. The rigor and work ethic that this program requires pays off and produces well rounded athletes and people.”
Underclassmen made posters celebrating the personalities and careers of the seniors and affixed them to the wall of the gymnasium.
“I am so lucky to have played in a Blue Devil girls’ basketball uniform for the past five years,” Sansiviero said. “Being able to put on the Huntington jersey and wear it beside my teammates for every game is something that has been so special and amazing to have experienced.”
Some players and parents became emotional as Kaplan spoke. “These eight young ladies gave us everything they had,” he said. “We appreciate their efforts on and off the court. It’s been a pleasure to be their coach. We will always remember them and they will always be a part of our Blue Devil basketball family.”
In a show of good sportsmanship, Centereach players and coaches sat on their bench during the ceremony and applauded for each of the seniors. “It was really classy of them to do that,” Kaplan said.
The eight seniors all know they have been part of something very special. “I take great pride in wearing a Blue Devil girls’ basketball uniform since eighth grade. It’s an honor to play for such a successful, hardworking and well-coached program. Huntington girls’ basketball has a legacy that I am so happy to be a part of. The intensity and work ethic that we have is huge and it shows on the court. I am so grateful to have made such awesome memories, bonds and new friendships through the Huntington basketball program.”
