Finley-7 Girls’ Basketball
Finishes at 8-2
As the Huntington High School girls’ basketball program embarks on a rebuilding phase, the Blue Devil coaching staff has to be pleased with the performance of the seventh grade team at J. Taylor Finley Middle School. The Falcons closed out the season with an 8-2 record.
Finley was led by Katie Nugent, Lindsay Sullivan, Mackenzie Maloney, Tara Byrnes, Elizabeth Cotter and Ellyn Byrnes. The squad had plenty of enthusiasm, a strong bench and was a well-rounded and skilled unit.
“This was a great group of girls,” head coach Rick Agnello said. “All 16 players contributed. They worked hard in practice and improved throughout the season.”
Agnello called Nugent “a high energy player. She was a good shooter, but scored mostly from strong drives to the basket.” Nugent was Finley’s leading scorer and a top defender, too. “She also rebounded very well considering she was a point guard,” the coach said.
Sullivan was an “excellent ball handler,” Agnello said. “She uses both hands very well and is a great passer and good shooter.” Maloney is another exceptional ball handler and a “very good shooter,” according to the coach.
The Byrnes sisters are both talented rebounders. Agnello was able to match the pair up against the tallest opponents and the Finley duo usually out-rebounded and out-played them all. Agnello also praised Cotter as a “great defender.” She was typically asked to defend the opponent’s best player.
After starting the year 3-2, the Falcons picked up the pace in the season’s second half. “We won five straight games to finish the season,” Agnello said. “The girls were very coachable and got better throughout the season.”
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