Blue Devil Sports News
The Huntington boys' basketball team closed out the season with a 66-49 loss at Bellport. The Blue Devils played an aggressive first quarter, trailing the Clippers after eight minutes, 14-13. But, Huntington became undone in the second frame as Bellport went on a 17-7 run to grab a commanding 31-20 advantage.
The Blue Devils played well in the second half, but were outscored by the Clippers, 35-29.
Devon Nelson led the Blue Devils with 22 points. Tyon Herion added nine points and Javon Robinson pumped in another seven. Jack Cutrone (five points), Jeff Conte (three points) and Robert Hughes (three points) also scored in the game.
Jamison Knocked Out
Corey Jamison was on quite a ride this winter until losing a lead in the semi-finals of the League V wrestling tournament. Jamison lost that match but went on to take third place at 112 lbs. and gain a berth in the Section XI championships.
At the Suffolk tournament, Jamison lost his very first match, falling to Brentwood's Eric Orellanna in overtime, 4-2. After Orellanna lost his next match in the quarterfinals to eventual county champion Sean McCabe of Connetquot, 13-0, Jamison was eliminated from the competition.
Orellanna split his next four matches, claiming fifth place in Suffolk. Jamison went home with a 29-6 record, including 11 pins, two technical falls and six major decisions. He's a freshman this year and can look forward to three more good years with the Blue Devils.
Bollar and Neter Claim Victory
Seniors Calvin Bollar and Andrew Neter claimed victory in the "Love Your Heart" badminton tournament at Huntington High School. The spirited competition was open to all seniors. Participants were asked to contribute two canned goods items.
Season Ends with Victory
Courtney Lawrence scored 18 points to lead the Huntington JV girls' basketball team to victory in the last game of the season. The Blue Devils won at home, besting visiting Bellport, 39-32. Emma Hughes dropped in 10 points, Sara Totura scored five points and Emily Saltman added four more. Jontae Smith and Toni Keddell scored one point each.
Murchison Closes Career on High
Duncan Murchison closed out his Huntington wrestling career on a high note at the Section XI wrestling championships at Stony Brook University. The Blue Devil senior won six matches en route to a third place finish at 189 lbs.
Murchison won a preliminary round decision over Comsewogue's James Mitos, 9-0. H then moved past Central Islip's Dondre Bailey, 5-0 before falling to eventual champion Joe Giaramita of John Glenn, 5-3.
Dropped into the consolation bracket, Murchison reeled off four straight victories. He pinned East Islip's Chris Chambers in 1:40 and Peter Johnann of East Hampton in 1:29. The teenager then topped Eastport-South Manor's Ryan Cutler, 12-9 before pinning Islip's Zack Conner in 2:38 for third place.
Murchison finished the season with a 36-6 mark, 22 pins and four major decisions. He won the Most Pins in the Least Amount of Time Award at the Section XI tournament for pinning three foes in a combined time of 5:47.
Two School Records Fall
The Huntington winter girls' track and field team closed out its season by shattering two school records at the state qualifying meet. Dania Merilan broke her own 300m school mark in the semi-finals and then lowered the new record time again in the finals, en route to capturing fourth place.
The 4 x 200m relay team of Merilan, Hannah Helrich, Cristina Badalamenti and Catherine Koumas broke a school record in that event during a semi-final heat. The group went on to finish fifth in the event.
Blue Devil head coach Debra Cheskes called it "an awesome and terrific season."
It's a Wrap for Puca
Anthony Puca is a talented freshman. Wrestling at 285 lbs., Puca topped John Glenn's Mike Pinto in triple overtime, 2-1, in the opening round of the Suffolk tournament.
Puca then lost a 4-0 quarterfinal round decision to Lindenhurst's Evan Wildberger, who went on to take third place in the competition. Knocked into the consolation bracket, Puca lost to Rami-Saad-El-Din of Half Hollow Hills East, 10-4.
Puca finished the season with a 25-13 record and 11 pins.