Huntington Girls Upset State Ranked Hills East

The Huntington girls’ basketball team surprised all of Suffolk when it took down state ranked Half Hollow Hills East on Saturday without its two highest scorers in an amazing display of teamwork, 42-40. The victor improved the Blue Devils’ record to 14-5 this winter.

With Sabrina Boyle on an official visit to Binghamton University where she has been recruited to play lacrosse and Lauren Donaghy attending a family funeral, Huntington was playing without two of its best players, but the Blue Devils pulled together and opened up a 12 point halftime lead in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium.

Huntington head coach Perry Marinelli pointed to the team’s defense as the key to the game. The Blue Devils limited Hills East to only 12 points over the first 16 minutes.

Hills East came charging back with a 14-5 third quarter run to set the stage for the dramatic final minutes. Huntington forced several turnovers and Jolie Weinschreider converted a pair of free throws to give the Blue Devils breathing room.

Madyn Kalb led Huntington with 12 points and Grace Gordon added 11 points. Weinschreider had nine points and five steals. Leigh Evans scored six points and Ava McDonald had four points. Evans, Gordon and Weinschreider all nailed three-point baskets. But it was the team’s defense and ball handling that won the game.

Huntington plays its final record season game on Thursday (February 6) at Smithtown East at 5:30 p.m.