Blue Devil Girls’ Basketball Seeks Consistency

Consistency. If the Huntington varsity girls’ basketball team manages to find it, they will be able to reach the playoffs. If they don’t, the post-season becomes an “up in the air” proposition.

Huntington led visiting Bellport late last week by 12 points, only to see the Clippers stage a furious rally over the final minutes to put the outcome in doubt until the final horn. The Blue Devils eked out a 42-40 victory, but like they say in sports; “you only have to win by one.”

Huntington took a 10-6 first quarter lead and went into halftime with a 20-18 advantage. The Blue Devils came out of the locker room on fire and went on to outscore Bellport in the third quarter, 16-8 to take command of the game. Trailing 40-28, the Clippers rallied over the final eight minutes.

Blue Devil junior Lauren Donaghy scored 16 points and freshman Ava McDonald added seven points, seven assists and four steals.

Huntington’s defense had a hard time stopping Bellport’s Autumn Simon (20 points) and Brynn Johnson (14 points) in the final frame. But the Blue Devils did just enough to win.

Kayleigh Bender scored five points for Huntington and Madyn Kalb, Reese Rinaldi and Jolie Weinschreider all had four points each. Grace Gordon had two points.

The Blue Devils are 7-6 overall with seven league games remaining. Huntington hosts Centereach on Wednesday (January 24) at 6:45 p.m. The Blue Devils travel to Smithtown East on Friday (January 26) for a 5:30 p.m. game.

Huntington returns home on Tuesday (January 30) for a 5:45 p.m. against Deer Park before traveling to West Islip on Thursday (February 1) for a 5 p.m. tip-off. Huntington then plays 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 Huntington hosts Newfield on Monday, February 12 at 6:45 p.m. and West Babylon on Wednesday, February 14 at 6:45 p.m.