Blue Devil Sports News
Heather Forster scored 10 points and snagged 15 rebounds to pace the Huntington girls' basketball team to a much-needed 31-26 victory over West Babylon at the Eagles nest.
The Blue Devils jumped out to a 9-5 lead and held a 16-12 halftime advantage. Huntington badly needed a win to keep its playoff hopes alive and got it.
The Blue Devils extended their lead to 25-16 by the end of the third quarter. A late West Babylon run failed to catch Huntington.
Jackie Waldron (eight points), Tara Byrnes (six points), Joellen Ceide and Courtney O'Bryan (one point) contributed to the Blue Devil offense. Emma Hayes-Hurley added eight assists and two points.
Harkins Helps Out
Sean Harkins went 3-0 in foil as the Huntington boys' fencing team marched past Walt Whitman, 15-12.
Coaches Appointed
The Huntington School Board has appointed Kevin Thorbourne (Finley, asst. girls' track and field), Todd Jamison (junior varsity softball) and Leyland Davis (Finley-7 boys' lacrosse) have been appointed to work as Blue Devil coaches this spring.
West Babylon Explosive
The powerful West Babylon boys' basketball team scored early and often, topping Huntington, 96-64 before a crowd of about 250 in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium.
The Eagles raced to a 24-12 lead after eight minutes and held a commanding 50-31 advantage at halftime. It didn't get any better for the Blue Devils, who were outscored in the second half, 46-33.
Pat Reilly led all Huntington scorers with 21 points. Tyon Herion added 10 points and John McCarthy pumped in another nine points on three 3-point baskets.
Nine Blue Devils scored in the losing effort. Devon Nelson nailed three baskets for six points. Jack Cutrone and Robert Hughes scored five points each and Jeff Conte connected for four points. David Casey and Javon Robinson scored two points each.
Badalamenti Notches Career Jump
Huntington's Cristina Badalamenti finished third in the long jump in the Suffolk Small Schools Track and Field Championships after notching a career personal best jump.
Blue Devil head coach Debra Cheskes said the team enjoyed many "outstanding performances." Hannah Helrich was sixth in the triple jump. Dania Merilan placed third in the 300m dash.
The 4 x 200m relay of Merilan, Helrich, Badalamenti and Catherine Koumas placed fourth. Huntington's 4 x 400m relay team of Katie Healy, Chloe Barron, Morgan Mars and Kerri Giambruno finished seventh. Lauren Boyce and Tiana Thurmond were strong in the shot put. Jacquelin Gomez-Campos turned in a fine effort in the 55m high hurdles.
Maiarelli is Tough
Sibilla Maiarelli was tough as nails as she won the deciding match 5-0 for the Blue Devil girls' fencing team, which topped Walt Whitman, 16-11.
Blue Devil Swimmers Get Medals
The Huntington boys' swimming and diving team took several medals home from the Suffolk League II Championships at Hauppauge High School.
Junior Jake Goldstein finished second in the 50 yard freestyle and the 100 yard butterfly. Sophomore Tom Scott was second in the 200 yard IM and the 500 yard freestyle.
The Blue Devils took second in the 200 yard medley relay behind Scott, Goldstein, senior Pat O'Brien and eighth grader Gunther Cassell. The 400 yard freestyle relay of Scott, Cassell, senior Joey West and Goldstein finished fourth. The 200 yard freestyle relay of O'Brien, senior Harrison Young, West and senior Ryan Pavelka placed eighth.
Cassell was second in the 100 yard breaststroke. Sophomore Todd Colvin finished eighth in the 100 yard backstroke.