The Huntington boys’ and girls’ basketball teams had a big Thursday night as both Blue Devil hardcourt squads defeated their counterpart from West Islip.
The Huntington boys used a 22-9 fourth quarter run to race past the Lions, 67-46. Max Rentsch had 20 points, 11 rebounds 10 assists, five steals and a block to lead a strong Blue Devil performance. Clayton Ward had 17 points and Dylan Coleman added 15 points, four assists, four steals and three rebounds.
After being outscored in the first quarter, 15-13, Huntington went on a 16-6 second quarter run to gain the upper hand by halftime, 29-21. The teams deadlocked at 16-16 in the third quarter before the Blue Devils staged a strong finish.
Aidan McNulty came off the bench to score seven points and add three rebounds, three steals and two assists. Hunter Borenstein scored four points and pulled down 10 rebounds. James Vohs and Kevin Drake both scored two points.
It was the seventh win of the year for Huntington and head coach Ken Parham hopes there will be several more before the season wraps up.
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The Huntington girls’ basketball team rebounded from its first loss of the season and resumed its winning ways on Thursday night, toppling West Islip, 58-26 to improve to 15-1.
The Blue Devils let a 12 point lead slip away earlier in the week at Half Hollow Hills East and lost by one point on a shot that went in at the buzzer, but Huntington didn’t hang its head.
The Blue Devils opened a gaping 21-6 first quarter lead and went into halftime holding a 33-13 advantage. Huntington went on to outscore the Lions in the second half, 25-13.
Senior Emily Plachta scored 26 points and added 13 rebounds and four steals to pace the Blue Devils. Junie Nosile had her best game of the season with 13 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks. Kayleigh Bender enjoyed her best varsity game ever with eight points and 10 rebounds.
Huntington thought it was on its way to another victory at Hills East, but the Thunderbirds staged a furious second half rally and overtook the Blue Devils at the buzzer. The loss stung, but Huntington found a way to quickly put it in the past.
Against West Islip, Gianna Forte had six points, Shaneek Shand scored three points and Regan Sansiviero added two points to complete the offensive output. Katie Browne played her usual tenacious defense and generally made things happen all over the court.
Plachta dropped four baskets from behind the three point arc. Shands also scored from downtown.
The Huntington boys play North Babylon tonight (Friday) at 7:15 p.m. at Walt Whitman High School’s north gym. The Blue Devil girls take the court again on February 1 at Bellport at 5 p.m.