A Tradition of Excellence

Middle School Sports

Middle School Athletics Headlines

 Finley girls are invited to participate on the new joint gymnastics team this spring.
February 9, 2023

Open Invitation for Finley Girls’ Gymnastics

There’s still time for seventh and eighth grade girls at J. Taylor Finley Middle School to consider participating in the new combined gymnastics team with nearby Oldfield Middle School. It’s a joint venture between Huntington UFSD and Harborfields CSD to create additional opportunities in both district.

 The Finley boys' volleyball team is ready for its first meet
February 1, 2023

Finley Girls’ Basketball Tops Robert Moses

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School “blue” team easily bested visited North Babylon-Robert Moses in the season opener for both teams, 33-17 before a loud crowd in the Finley gym.

 The Finley boys' volleyball team is ready for its first meet
January 30, 2023

Finley Boys’ Volleyball Ready for Action

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys’ volleyball team is ready for action. It will take the court for its first match of the season on Friday against West Babylon in the Finley gym. The action begins at 4:30 p.m.

 The Finley wrestling team has seen a great turnout this winter.
January 27, 2023

Sharp Shooters Lift Finley Boys’ Basketball

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys’ basketball “white” team featured some sharp shooters. The athletic squad played its collective hearts out over the course of a 10 game schedule.

 The Finley wrestling team has seen a great turnout this winter.
January 25, 2023

Finley Wrestling Sees Surge in Interest

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School wrestling team has seen a surge in interest this winter. The squad currently includes 43 seventh and eighth graders. It’s the biggest turnout for the mat sport in many years.

 Finley had many energetic players. (Darin Reed photo.)
January 20, 2023

Finley-Blue Boys’ Basketball Celebrates Accomplishments

Ups and downs are part of every team’s season and that was the case for the J. Taylor Finley Middle School “blue” boys’ basketball team coached by Tim Madden. The squad featured a mix of veteran players and newcomers.

 Finley had many energetic players. (Darin Reed photo.)
January 20, 2023

Finley-Blue Girls’ Volleyball Makes Dramatic Improvements

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School girls’ volleyball “blue” team wrapped up its season after dramatically improving its collective volleyball skills to the point where the squad became competitive in every match.

 Jocelyn Thorbourne digs out the ball. (Darin Reed photo.)
January 18, 2023

Finley Girls’ Volleyball Players Display Talent

Lauren Blackburn was happy with what she saw on the court as her J. Taylor Finley Middle School girls’ volleyball team displayed real potential for future success at the high school level.

 finley wrestling
January 13, 2023

Finley Wrestling Welcomes Newcomers to the Mat

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School wrestling team is set for its first week of practice, commencing on Tuesday, January 17 at 3 p.m. in the school gym.

 Finley's late winter sports season features girls' basketball, boys' volleyball and wrestling
January 12, 2023

Finley Girls’ Basketball to Feature Two Teams

Due to heightened interest, Huntington UFSD has created a second girls’ basketball team at J. Taylor Finley Middle School this winter. Tryouts will begin on Tuesday, January 17 in the school gym.

 Finley's late winter sports season features girls' basketball, boys' volleyball and wrestling
January 12, 2023

Finley Boys’ Volleyball Ready for Sophomore Season

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys’ volleyball team was reinstated last winter following an absence of many years. With the first season back a complete success, hopes are running high for the sophomore campaign. Tryouts will begin on Tuesday, January 17.

 Finley's late winter sports season features girls' basketball, boys' volleyball and wrestling
December 23, 2022

Finley Winter Season II Sports Begin on January 17

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School Winter Season II will begin on Tuesday, January 17.

 Finley-Blue Girls’ Soccer Finishes at 7-3
November 30, 2022

Finley-Blue Girls’ Soccer Finishes at 7-3

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School “blue” girls’ soccer team compiled a 7-3 mark this past fall. The 18 player squad outscored their ten opponents by a margin of 43-23.

 volleyball  defense
November 22, 2022

Finley Girls’ Volleyball Thrives

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School girls’ volleyball program is thriving. More than 90 seventh and eighth graders participated in three days of tryouts. The district added a second team this winter in response to overwhelming interest in the sport.

 bball defense
November 21, 2022

Finley Boys’ Basketball Teams Enthusiastic

If unbridled enthusiasm is any indicator, the two J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys’ basketball teams are set for a great season. The young Blue Devils are enjoying the opening weeks of the winter campaign.

 balance beam
November 18, 2022

New Opportunity Created for Finley Girls’ Gymnastics

For the first time ever, J. Taylor Finley Middle School seventh and eighth grade girls are expected to have an opportunity to participate in interscholastic gymnastics. Huntington UFSD and neighboring Harborfields are finalizing plans to collaborate on a combined middle school team next spring.

 girl soccer player
November 15, 2022

Finley Girls’ Soccer-White a Work in Progress

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School girls’ soccer “white” team coached by Spanish teacher Alicia Furman was a work in progress throughout the fall season. The 20 player roster was captained by Aubrie Godin, Justina Hlenski and Gabriella LoScalzo.

 boy soccer player
November 14, 2022

Finley-Blue Boys’ Soccer Enjoys 10-0 Season

They were perfect. The J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys’ soccer “blue” team completed its season with a perfect 10-0 record.

 lacrosse clinic
November 14, 2022

Free Finley Girls’ Lacrosse Intramurals to be Offered

Another free intramural opportunity will soon be available to J. Taylor Finley Middle School girls. Plans have been finalized to offer an early morning girls’ lacrosse intramural program throughout the winter months in the lead-up to the spring season.

 The Finley co-ed cross country team at Sunken Meadow State Park overlooking the Long Island Sound.
November 9, 2022

Finley Cross Country Gathers Momentum

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School co-ed cross country team was strengthened this year, but still needs to take another step next fall with hopefully the addition of more girls to the squad.


Middle School Athletics Information

About the Middle School Athletics Program

football huddle

A Longstanding Tradition of Excellence

Through the years, the Huntington interscholastic athletics program has played an important role in the lives of students and community members. An integral part of the Department of Physical Education, organized athletics in the Huntington School District date back more than one hundred years. Since the inception of sports teams here, Blue Devil competitors have won every possible honor bestowed on high school athletes.

Life Lessons and Opportunities to Participate

Students who choose to participate will learn lessons in the value of hard work, teamwork, personal sacrifice and commitment, time management, respect for authority and rules, as well as how to lead and follow. A myriad of sports are offered during fall, winter and spring seasons. Students can choose to compete on one team each season. Parents of athletes, alumni, and community members who want to support and become involved in the athletic program have an opportunity to join the Huntington Booster Club. This organization sponsors many activities and promotes and enhances the operation of the athletic program.

soccer celebration
huntington fans watch game

Communication made Easy

Schedules for all teams and directions to away contests are available from the athletic office or by logging onto the Section XI website at www.sectionxi.org.

Coaches are also available to discuss any aspect of their specific program with prospective athletes and/or parents. For further information, including tryout dates and sports offered by season, please call the athletic office at 631-673-2018.

Middle School Athletics Leadership

Jim Hoops

James M. Hoops

Distict Director for Athletics, Health and Physical Education

James M. Hoops assumed the position of district director of health, physical education and athletics on July 1, 2021. He previously served for three years as coordinator of physical education, athletics and special projects. He has worked full-time in the district since April 1984 and has been a physical education teacher since September 1990. He is also certified as a social studies teacher.

A graduate of John H. Glenn High School, Mr. Hoops obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees at Stony Brook University, through which he also obtained his school administrator certification. He has coached wrestling on the high school level and boys’ and girls’ tennis and girls’ soccer on both the middle school and high school levels. He has also coached middle school boys’ and girls’ soccer and baseball.

While serving as assistant coach to iconic Hall of Fame head coach Lou Giani, the Blue Devil wrestling team won several Suffolk and state team championships along with 17 individual county and eight state champions.

Mr. Hoops has also served as the district’s public information coordinator since July 2001. He maintains Huntington UFSD’s website content and also prepares items for the district’s various social media platforms.

Mike Marinello

Michael Marinello

Distict Coordinator for Physical Education, Athletics and Driver's Education

Michael Marinello has been the district’s coordinator of physical education, athletics and driver education since July 1, 2021. He has been a Huntington physical education teacher since September 1995. He earlier taught at Western Suffolk BOCES for five years.

A graduate of Sachem High School, Mr. Marinello earned an undergraduate degree at Springfield College in physical education and a master’s degree at Stony Brook University in liberal studies with a concentration in health science. He has coached high school golf, high school and middle school wrestling, JV tennis and middle school baseball and boys’ track and field.

Currently the head coach of the Huntington High School varsity golf team, Mr. Marinello is also an assistant varsity wrestling coach. He has been a well-known and well-liked faculty member and athletic coach who also lives in the community and has sent his own children through Huntington High School.

Mr. Marinello is a CPR and First Aid trainer. He has also been a volunteer emergency medical technician. He has taught driver education for many years and he leads the district’s program.

Middle School Winter I Season Athletic Teams

Finley MS

Winter II Sports Season Athletics

Modified Program offerings

Dates

Dates

Teams

Teams

Contacts

Contacts

Policies

Policies

Boys' Volleyball Team info coming soon!

Wrestling Team info coming soon!

Middle School Athletics Videos and Galleries

HHS National Honor Society Induction Ceremony 2021

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HHS National Honor Society Induction Ceremony 2021

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Finley Sports Galleries and Slideshows

Action photos of our Finley Teams

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Girls' Basketball

February 7, 2023

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Boys' Volleyball

February 3, 2023

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Boys' Basketball

January 4, 2023

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Girls' Volleyball

December 12, 2022

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Boys' Basketball

December 2, 2022

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Boys' Basketball

December 8, 2022

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Boys' Basketball

November 16, 2022

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Girls' Volleyball

November 18, 2022

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Boys' Soccer

October 20, 2022

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Girls' Tennis

October 6 2022

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Field Hockey vs Northport

October 18 2022

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Middle School Athletics Honors

Information Coming Soon

Our Partners in Excellence

200+

Challenging Academic Courses

14

Academic Departments

30+

Interscholastic Athletic Teams

90+

Colleges and Universities accepting 2020 HHS Graduates