Freshman Ava McDonald Lights it Up as Huntington Wins

A torrid start helped the Huntington girls’ basketball team build an unsurmountable lead and glide past Smithtown East last Friday night, 38-28. The victory puts the Blue Devils in position to make a run at the playoffs.

Huntington jumped out to an early 11-2 lead and the Blue Devils held a 23-6 halftime advantage. Smithtown East rallied in the third quarter, going on a 14-7 run and further cut its deficit to just six points in the fourth quarter, but Huntington hung on for a 10 point win.

Freshman Ava McDonald led the Blue Devils with 13 points, eight assists and four steals. Reese Rinaldi and Jolie Weinschreider both scored six points and each played suffocating defense. Kayleigh Bender had five points and Grace Gordon scored four points. Lauren Donaghy and Madyn Kalb had two points each.

Huntington needs to keep winning to reach the playoffs. The Blue Devils host Deer Party today at 5:45 p.m. before traveling to West Islip on Thursday (February 1) for a 5 p.m. tip-off.

Huntington will then have a long layoff before it 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 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.