H-ton Girls’ Basketball Captures Biggest Win

The Huntington varsity girls’ basketball team captured its biggest win of the winter, using an exceptional third quarter performance to turn back visiting Deer Park in convincing fashion, 40-23.

The Blue Devils jumped out to a 10-5 first quarter lead before the Falcons narrowed their deficit to three points by halftime, 18-15.

What Huntington coaches Mike Kaplan and Marissa Bergmann said to the Blue Devils in the locker room worked wonder as the team came out for the second half on fire, going on an 18-3 run to build an 18 point lead heading into the final frame.

Everything just seemed to click, both offensively and defensively for Huntington. The final eight minutes were a standoff between the teams as the Blue Devils closed out a much needed league victory to gain their ninth win overall this season.

Freshman Ava McDonald led Huntington with 16 points, six assists and six steals. Freshman Madyn Kalb added 13 points and eight steals. Senior Kayleigh Bender had nine points and 12 rebounds. Senior Reese Rinaldi added two points. McDonald’s offensive output included a pair of timely three pointers.

Huntington was able to show-off its entire roster in the win as every player was on the court at one time or another. The victory was especially satisfying since the Blue Devils lost at Deer Park earlier in the season, 38-35.

Huntington plays another vitally important game today (Thursday, February 1) at West Islip at 5 p.m. The Blue Devils then have a long layoff before the play at Half Hollow Hills East on Friday, February 9 at 5:15 p.m.

The final two games of the regular season will be played in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium as the Blue Devils host Newfield on Monday, February 12 at 6:45 p.m. and West Babylon on Wednesday, February 14 at 6:45 p.m.