Blue Devils Sports News
The Huntington High School girls' basketball team looked like a championship squad in turning back visiting Half Hollow Hills West, 54-31. The Blue Devils jumped out to an early 23-12 lead and held a 32-20 halftime advantage. A 17-6 third quarter run put the game away.
Heather Forster notched another double-double with 16 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks. Raynisha Witherspoon had 13 points and Tara Byrnes added 11 points and six rebounds.
Huntington head coach Mike Kaplan liked what he saw and called the result a "huge win." Mackenzie Maloney dropped seven points to go with five steals and five rebounds. Katie Nugent had four points, five rebounds and seven assists. Ellyn Byrnes, Caitlin Knowles and Katie Reilly all scored one point. Knowles (five) and Reilly (three) combined for eight steals.
"Knowles and Reilly had the job of shutting down the Hills West's best player and they held her to only nine points," Kaplan said. "They played excellent defense on her."
The victory improved Huntington's league mark to 4-2 (8-2 overall).
McGovern Drops 18 Points
Kiernan McGovern scored a team high 18 points and Patrick Reilly added 16, but the Huntington High School boys' basketball team fell to host Half Hollow Hills West, 69-52.
The Blue Devils trailed 14-12 after eight minutes of play and were behind at halftime, 28-25. The Colts put the game away by outscoring Huntington in the second half, 41-27.
Devon Nelson had nine points for Huntington. Kevin Montefusco, (four points), Skylure Pannell (three points) and Lee Reiver (two points) also scored for the Blue Devils.
Reilly connected on three 3-point baskets and also scored seven points from the foul line.
Lupi Wins OT Thriller
The Huntington High School wrestling team came from behind to top visiting Kings Park, 42-29. The Blue Devils won nine-of-15 bouts, including a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory by Nick Lupi at 220 lbs.
Huntington's victors included John Arceri (11-0), Kyle Mock (5-0) and Brandon Mendez (5-0), who all captured decisions. Corey Jamison won by technical fall in 4:56. Jorge Villela and Anthony Puca (1:17) both won by pin. Michael Bast and Tyshon Parker both won by forfeit.
HHS Fencers Strong in MA Invitational
A contingent of 16 Huntington High School fencing team members traveled to Massachusetts for the 7th Annual Concord Carlisle High School Invitational. They made the trek as private athletes since the competition was not part of the Blue Devils' regular schedule.
The tournament utilized a pool format that resulted in five separate pool rounds for participants who reached the finals. Huntington senior James Ferraiolo lead the Huntington group with a perfect day. Ferraiolo never lost in any of the five rounds and closed out the day with a 25-0 mark and the men's epee title. It matched the 2011 performance of his brother, John.
Senior Joe Rizzi won 22 of 27 bouts in men's foil and placed third. Junior Ben Nikodem advanced to the fourth round in the men's epee division before just missing the final round and finished seventh in a field of 24 athletes.
Seniors Brent Filippini and Scott Garafolo and junior Brian McConnell were impressive in the men's saber event. Filippini fenced some fine bouts and battled through some tough competition before being eliminated in the third round and finishing 15th out of 25 athletes. Garafolo fenced extremely well until a tough call cost him a bout in the fourth round, preventing him from reaching the final round and leaving him in seventh place. McConnell fenced well all day, reaching the finals and finishing fourth.
Huntington seniors Katia DeSimone and Kelly Askerberg and sophomores Olivia Castillo and Charlotte Levinson were strong in women's saber. Castillo and Levinson were consistent throughout the day, advancing into the fourth round before falling to even tougher competition. Castillo finished 10th and Levinson was 11th out of 23 saber fencers.
Askerberg was riding high all day until she was finally eliminated in the fourth round and finished ninth. DeSimone, a two-time finalist in the event, earned her third appearance in the championship round where she placed fourth.
Huntington had four competitors in women's foil, including freshman Annalise Mozer, who marched into the fourth round and finished ninth. Sophomore Kaitlin Dayton also reached the fourth round and placed eighth. Junior Brianna Kirkland fenced strong all day, winning 16 bouts to capture fourth place. Senior Taylor Choy improved upon her seventh place finish a year ago, winning 19 bouts and taking third.
Senior Carly Glowacky returned to the competition after missing last year's event due to illness. The teenager reached the final round of women's epee, winning 18 bouts and fourth place. Freshman Elisa Medina-Jaudes also shined in women's epee, advancing to the finals and grabbing sixth place.