Blue Devil Sports News
Emma Hayes-Hurley makes her move toward the basket. Emma Hayes-Hurley enjoyed her best game of the season as the Huntington girls' basketball team notched a crucial victory last Saturday over Comsewogue, 45-35.
Huntington opened an early lead before the Warriors hit their stride. The Blue Devils were ahead 9-7 after one quarter but trailed at halftime, 19-14.
First-year head coach Mike Kaplan regrouped his troops during the intermission and the Blue Devils responded with their best offensive quarter of the game, outscoring Comsewogue, 16-12 to close to within one point at 31-30. The fourth frame belonged to Huntington, which went on a 15-4 run to put the game on ice.
Hayes-Hurley scored 14 points and added nine rebounds and eight assists. Jackie Waldron contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds. Heather Forster chipped in with seven points and Katie Nugent, Joellen Ceide and Courtney O'Bryan combined for another six points.
Blue Devils Top Sayville
For the second straight dual meet, the Huntington wrestling team defeated a state ranked team. This time the Blue Devils took down Sayville, 41-26.
Huntington received key victories from seventh grader John Arceri, who won a tight 3-1 decision at 96 lbs. and freshman Anthony Puca, who grabbed a 1-0 verdict at 285 lbs.
Everything went right for the Blue Devils who received pins from Ken Stropoli (145 lbs.), T.J. Wilson (152 lbs.) and Luis Mendez (171 lbs.). Nigel McNeil (18-4, 125 lbs.) and Nick Lupi (9-1, 215 lbs.) won major decisions. Brandon Mendez won a 2-1 decision at 103 lbs. Louis Puca won by forfeit at 189 lbs.
Arceri's father was an undefeated state champion in 1981 for Ward Melville High School. Puca's father, Lou was third in Suffolk for Huntington in 1976.
Weller is Untouchable
Olivia Weller was untouchable, going 3-0 in epee to lead the Huntington girls' fencing over Commack, 14-13. Weller won the 27th a deciding bout in the meet, which was held at Jack Abrams School.
Huntington Girls' BB Falls
The Huntington girls' basketball team dropped a much-needed game at Hauppauge, 56-35. The Blue Devils need every win they can get as the squad makes a run at a play-off berth. Huntington trailed 11-7 after eight minutes and found itself behind at halftime, 25-16. It didn't get any better in the second half. The Eagles outscored the Blue Devils over the final 16 minutes, 31-19.
Jackie Waldron's 14 points led all Huntington scorers. Heather Forster added 10 points and Joellen Ceide dropped in another seven. Emma Hayes-Hurley and Courtney O'Bryan each contributed two points.
White's 20 Lead Huntington BB
The Huntington boys' basketball team overcame a fourth quarter deficit to top Comsewogue, 52-47. P.J. White scored 20 points and crashed the boards for 12 rebounds.
Huntington led 9-8 after one quarter, but trailed 18-17 at halftime. The Blue Devils were down 31-29 entering the fourth quarter. That's when the offensive spigot opened as Huntington exploded for 23 points in the final frame to lock-up a much needed victory.
John McCarthy scored nine points, knocking down three baskets from downtown. Robert Hughes had eight points on a three-pointer and five free throws. Devon Nelson added seven points. Tion Herion, Pat Reilly and David Casey combined for another nine points.
With the teams battling toe-to-toe, Reilly hit a huge three pointer with about two minutes remaining. Herion followed on the next possession with a bucket off a jump shot to give the Blue Devils a four point lead with about 1:30 showing on the clock.
Blue Devils Crown Four Champs
Four Huntington wrestlers won weight class titles but the Blue Devils fell just short in the team standings at last weekend's Big Ten Invitational at Albany High School.
Huntington wrestlers Corey Jamison (112 lbs.), Nigel McNeil (119 lbs.), T.J. Wilson (152 lbs.), Louis Puca (171 lbs.) and Nick Lupi (215 lbs.) all captured championships. Brandon Mendez (103 lbs.) and Anthony Puca (285 lbs.) finished fourth.
Burnt Hills-Balston Lake edged the Blue Devils in the team standings, 197-194. In all, there were 17 high schools competing in this year's tournament.