Patron and Rhodes Garner Post-Season Awards
It was clearly a rebuilding year for the Huntington boys’ basketball team, which lost most of the starting team that went to the Suffolk Class A finals in 2009.
Forward John Patron was the only returning Blue Devil player on a roster that included just two seniors, Jeremy Rhodes and Dan Smith. Despite a lack of varsity experience, the team remained competitive during most of the season.
Patron was clearly the Huntington’s best player, averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds per game and earning All-League and All-Conference honors. “He’s a workhorse who plays ‘old-school’ basketball,” head coach Mike Schmitz said. “He has a bright future.”
Sophomore guard John McCarthy also stood out, averaging nine points per game and emerging as a constant threat from three-point range. McCarthy led Huntington in shooting percentage and Schmitz expects him to “work hard to get stronger and more agile” in the off-season and return next year even better.
Huntington (4-10 league, 6-12 overall) had an uneven year, with alternating stretches of brilliance and disappointment. “We beat two play-off teams and played many close games,” said Schmitz, who was assisted by Tim Madden. “With a few games going the other way, the team would have made the play-offs.”
Junior Shaquan Rains enjoyed several fine offensive performances and freshman Tre Brown led the Blue Devils in assists from his point guard position. Rhodes also played a key role on the squad and earned Academic All-County recognition.
Schmitz said next year will feature “many returning players and high hopes for the future. Hopefully, we can return to the play-offs in a new league.” The coach said his players need to work hard in the off-season if they are to “reach their potential as individuals.”
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