Huntington JV Girls’ Basketball Compiles 14-6 Mark

Huntington’s junior varsity girls’ basketball team displayed impressive competitiveness this past winter with a team of young players that never quit regardless of the score.

Coached by Leah Morawski and captained by Julia Hotine, Ava Bencivenga and Cassidy Harris, the 12 player squad compiled a fine 14-6 mark.

“Our best accomplishment was the big win against Half Hollow Hills East,” Morawski said. “The girls overcame a lot of adversity during that game and their improvement and growth throughout the season really showed. They put a lot of heart and effort into playing that game. I was tough on them, but they were able to be tough on the court through that. They played in an environment in which they had never played in before. Near the end of the game we were tied, but made our free throws to close out the win.”

Hotine (PG/G), Bencivenga (F), Harris (G) and guard Claire Dello-Iacono paced the Blue Devils on the court.

The roster also included freshmen Izabelle Colato, Mo’Naya Dennis, Khloe Graham, Jaylah Morgan-Page, Violet Palacios, Olivia Puccio and eighth graders Brianna Purcell and Kaitlyn Purcell.

Huntington enjoyed some lopsided wins and several maddeningly close losses, including dropping tight contests to St. Dominic (31-28), Sachem East (28-26) and Smithtown East (35-33).

Morawski said the goals for next year include: Continue to get better; have all the girls return; work more on relaxing in high pressure games; use the whole court, not just the right side.”