Huntington Loses Huge Lead and with it LI Title
Casey Scully didn’t want it to end this way. The senior who has meant so much to the Huntington girls’ basketball program over the past four years, was just as shocked as anyone that the Blue Devils let an 11-point fourth quarter lead slip through their fingers last Friday night and with it the Long Island Class A title.
Huntington, which appeared on its way to the state Final Four, instead saw its season abruptly end, losing to Floral Park in overtime, 47-44 before a crowd of 1,500 at Stony Brook University.
The night started out with such promise for the Blue Devils. Junior guard Maria Marascia scored the game’s first five points by racing down the court and laying a ball up and in and then connecting on a long three-pointer from the left side. A nice inside move by junior Julie Forster (21 points) made it 7-0 for Huntington.
The Blue Devils were firing on all cylinders during those early minutes, crashing the boards and playing tenacious defense. Marascia (nine points) was all over the court, forcing turnovers and picking up several steals.
A crowd of several hundred Huntington High School students, who arrived just before tip-off, stood and cheered throughout the game taking special delight in the fast Blue Devil start. Not even some poor passing seemed to slow the team down, which shook off its own turnovers and kept right on playing hard.
When Scully drove to the basket and came down hard on her knee with 2:22 remaining in the first quarter, Huntington (17-7) was ahead 10-4. With Scully forced to the sidelines, Floral Park (20-3) quickly took advantage with a long jumper and a put-back to close to within 10-8.
But, the Blue Devils responded with an 8-0 run to begin the second quarter behind a pair of baskets by Scully, a Forster put-back and free throws by juniors Kerry Hicks (seven points) and Matte Scully. The teams continued to slug it out and went into halftime with Huntington leading 20-15.
The Blue Devils started the third quarter with an exciting 10-0 run, with Forster scoring six points on a lay-up, 10-foot jumper and two free throws. Casey Scully (six points) added a nice turnaround jumper and Marascia sprinted to the basket for another lay-up. Ahead 30-15, Huntington appeared unstoppable. But, cracks soon started to appear. A pair of free throws and a three-pointer helped Floral Park cut its deficit to 30-20 heading into the fourth quarter.
Still, Huntington seemed invincible, and after a Hicks free throw and a beautiful running one hander along the baseline by Marascia, the Blue Devils led by 11-points with just 5:55 remaining, 34-23. But, then all of a sudden, the tide turned.
Floral Park went on a 7-0 run forcing Huntington coach Brad Reminick to call timeout to regroup with 3:31 remaining. It wasn’t enough to stem the tidal wave. Before it was over, Floral Park had scored 13 unanswered points and pulled ahead for the first all game, 36-34.
The teams traded baskets as the clock ticked down. A lay-up by Forster tied the score at 39 with 25 seconds remaining. Floral Park came down the court and missed a series of shots as Huntington’s players and fans held their collective breath, forcing the game into overtime.
It was Huntington that struck first in the four minute extra frame as Forster hit a running one-handed bank shot just 15 seconds into play to give the Blue Devils a 41-39 lead. Another running one hander by Forster tied the score again, this time at 43 with 1:12 left in play.
Floral Park again responded, with a basket and free throw to take a three-point lead. When Huntington intercepted an inbound pass with 34.7 seconds left and after Forster was fouled, she sunk 1-of-2 free throws to let the Blue Devils get to within 46-44, but they would never score again.
Casey Scully, who wasn’t ready for her Huntington career to end just yet, took the loss hard, as did her teammates, who walked off the court in stunned disbelief as Floral Park celebrated.
Blue Devil Notes: Forster scored Huntington’s final eight points . . . Marascia connected on the lone Blue Devil three-pointer . . . Floral Park outscored Huntington in the fourth quarter, 19-9.
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