Reilly Leads Blue Devils’ JV Boys’ Basketball
Overcoming a 1-7 start is not an easy task, but the Huntington junior varsity boys’ basketball team did just that, going 7-3 over its final ten games and regaining its confidence along the way.
The Blue Devils were led by freshman guard/forward Pat Reilly, who head coach Ed Lein called the team’s best all-around player. Lein said that Reilly “has the potential to become one of the program’s top players” in future years.
A lack of team cohesion and fundamentals contributed losing seven of the first eight games, said Lein. But, instead of disintegrating, the Blue Devils “grew tremendously” in togetherness, team unity and basic basketball skills.
“The players developed a great rapport with one another that should carry over for years to come,” Lein said. “The players are constantly committed to improving not only their own skills but each other’s skills.”
Huntington, which finished with a 8-6 mark in league games, also received superb play from sophomore guard Javon Robinson, sophomore forward Tyon Herion and eighth grade forward Keven Pimental.
Lein called Robinson a “natural leader who puts the team before himself. He’s an extremely hard worker and is excellent defensively.” Robinson led the Blue Devils in steals.
Pimental, who excelled at the post, seems destined to become an exceptional varsity player. “He’s young with natural ability and skills,” Lein said.
While the roster was dominated by eighth and ninth graders, next year’s outlook is unclear since it isn’t known who will be pulled up to the varsity. But, the Blue Devils feel good about the second half of their just completed season and will savor it for some time.
Lein said the squad was “athletic but raw to start the season.” The group “progressively improved to become very competitive,” added the coach.
All graphics, photographs, and text appearing on the Huntington Public Schools home page and subsequent official web pages are protected by copyright. Redistribution or commercial use is prohibited without express written permission. Comments or Questions? email the Public Information Office