It was the latest must win game and for the Huntington boys’ basketball team failure was simply not an option. You see, if the Blue Devils lost the season was over. That was an unacceptable notion for these players, who went out and defeated a very good Copiague team, 58-54 before a near capacity crowd at Walt Whitman’s South Gym.
It was Senior Day for Huntington, which honored nine of its players as parents joined them at midcourt for the ceremony and photos. Once the game started, the two teams went at it full throttle with the Blue Devils managing to grab a 12-10 lead after eight minutes of play.
But it was the second frame that gave Huntington its breathing room and proved to be a difference maker. The Blue Devils went on a 19-5 run to take a 16 point advantage into the locker room at halftime. But Copiague had plenty of life left in it.
With Huntington leading 31-15, the Eagles started chipping away, cutting the deficit in half during the third quarter. Copiague drew even closer in the final frame, but the Blue Devils finally got their act together.
With hundreds of Huntington student fans cheering on their team, the Blue Devils hit several crucial baskets, blocked shots, stole the ball and grabbed key rebounds.
Senior Kevin Drake turned in an exceptional performance, scoring 18 points and tallying three rebounds two assists, a steal and a block. The teenager was on his game, connecting on four-of-five shots from two point range, dropping a pair of three-pointers and sinking four free throws.
Max Rentsch proved again that he’s the straw that stirs the drink. The senior had 14 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block. Huntington also relied on his ball handling during some tense moments and he came through time after time.
Dylan Coleman, who has been the team’s sparkplug down the stretch had another great game with 12 points on three-for-four shooting from two point range and a perfect six-for-six at the free throw line. The senior had two rebounds, four assists and three steals.
When starter Clayton Ward (five points, five rebounds, a steal and a block) got in foul trouble, senior Charlie Girimonti came off the bench to provide muscle and to drop a bucket and pull down six rebounds along with an assist.
Hunter Borenstein had five points, five rebounds and a steal. Henry Vohs scored two points and grabbed two rebounds. Aidan McNulty had a rebound, two assists and a steal in another splendid effort off the bench.
Ken Parham showed why he’s regarded as one of Long Island’s best coaches, repeatedly making adjustments offensively and defensively, calling strategic timeouts and shuffling his players in and out of the game to get Huntington through a game that it had to win.
The Blue Devils fed on the energy the crowd brought with it to the small South Gym. Huntington’s student fans all wore white, the team’s home color and held up handmade signs and cheered every point, rebound and steal.
“Our team worked extremely hard the whole season and it really showed on Thursday night,” Rentsch said. “The student section showed out and helped us in our victory tremendously.”
As the Blue Devils moved to close out the close win and secure a playoff berth, the fans went wild, cheering loudly in an awesome display of school spirit. It was an experience Huntington’s players will probably never forget and an incredible way to cap off Senior Day.
The game was played at Walt Whitman, as have Huntington’s previous three games, because the Blue Devils’ gym floor was ruined by a flood and is being replaced.
“We will alway be grateful to South Huntington for being such great hosts to our boys’ basketball team,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said.
The victory gives Huntington an 11-9 record. The Blue Devils drew the No. 8 seed in the Section XI Class AA playoff bracket. The team will play No. 8 Newfield on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Walt Whitman’s North Gym.
Huntington topped Newfield (11-9) in the first game of the season, 58-41. Both the playoffs are a whole new world and Parham is taking nothing for granted heading into the game.
Adults are encouraged to purchase playoff game tickets on line at https://gofan.co/app/school/NYSPHSAAXI. Students can purchase discounted tickets at the door for $5.
