The Huntington girls’ basketball team overcame a slow start in a big way and went on to beat North Babylon, 68-36 to remain undefeated at 13-0.
Huntington needed time to get untracked before exploding for 26 first quarter points to build what proved to be an insurmountable lead. The Blue Devils led 39-17 at halftime and 48-28 heading into the final eight minutes of play. Huntington outscored their hosts in the second half, 29-19.
Huntington basketball star Emily Plachta.
Huntington senior Emily Plachta led all scorers with 28 points. The senior added 15 rebounds and five blocks. Junie Nosile had eight points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Makaylah Frazier also dropped eight points for the Blue Devils.
Huntington’s offense has been unstoppable while its defense has also stellar. The key to the game? “Definitely kick-starting the defense to get good looks on offense,” Plachta said. “One of our biggest threats is our ability transition quickly off rebounds and steals and when we do that, we tend to find some great opportunities to score on the other end.”
Katie Browne, Gianna Forte and Lauren Donaghy all scored six points each for the Blue Devils. Teddi Carnesi and Shaneek Shands both had two points. Plachta had three three-point baskets. Donaghy had two baskets from beyond the three-point arc.
Blue Devil coaches and players are happy with how the year has been unfolding. “It’s awesome,” Frazier said. “Being a senior and having such a good season so far is a dream. We all have a great connection on and off the court and it shows in our games. We work hard and create goals to continue to push us in each game.”
JV Team Improves to 6-6
Huntington’s junior varsity girls’ basketball team made a dramatic comeback at North Babylon as the Blue Devils topped the Bulldogs, 34-32.
“This game was down to the wire,” JV head coach Katie Reilly said. “We jumped out ahead, but North Babylon came back and took the lead by 12 points. Thankfully, our defense kept us in the game.”
The Blue Devil defense tallied 14 steals in the game, with five coming from Jenna Italiano and four by Aylana Powell. Zaida Correal led Huntington with nine points, including four in the fourth quarter that kept the team within striking distance.
Neurdia Osias contributed eight points and nine rebounds. Kaylee Smalling added five assists.