Huntington Girls Win Season Opener

The Huntington girls’ basketball team won a defensive struggle in the season opener, besting visiting West Islip, 34-26. Allison Ntambwe led the Blue Devils with 12 points, 13 rebounds and four steals.

Huntington trailed after the opening eight minutes, 10-8, but rallied in the second frame to take an 18-16 lead into halftime. The Blue Devils outscored the Lions in the second half, 16-10 to capture their first victory of the new season.

Eighth grader Ava McDonald turned in a great performance with nine points and seven assists. Lauren Donaghy had five points and Kayleigh Bender added four points. Gianna Forte had three points and played suffocating defense. Reese Rinaldi scored a point at the free throw line. Donaghy and McDonald connected for baskets from beyond the three-point arc.

The Blue Devils are coached by Mike Kaplan and Marissa Bergmann. Katie Reilly coaches the junior varsity team.

The full roster features eighth grader Ava McDonald; freshmen Ruby Baliber, Grace Gordon, Isabella Palacios and Jolie Weinschreider; sophomores Sophie Carlson, Lauren Donaghy, Jenna Italiano, Allison Ntambwe and Kaylee Smalling; juniors Kayleigh Bender, Zaida Correal and Resse Rinaldi; and senior Gianna Forte. The team is captained by Bender, Donaghy and Forte.

Kaplan compiled a record of 153-74 (.674) in his first 12 seasons at Huntington. Last year’s team went 20-2 and reached the Suffolk Final Four before falling to Northport, 49-42.

Huntington plays at Half Hollow Hills East on Friday at 5 p.m.