Blue Devil Sports News
Badly in need of a victory, the Huntington High School boys’ basketball got it when the Blue Devils edged host West Babylon, 47-42 in an exciting game.
Kenny Charles scored a game high 17 points to lead Huntington. Kevin Montesfusco had 13 points and Scott Gulizio added seven points. Charles was perfect from the free throw line, going six-for-six.
The Blue Devils led after the first quarter, 14-11 and held a 23-21 halftime advantage. Huntington picked up its play in the third quarter to extend its lead to 32-26 before holding off the Eagles in the final frame.
Alex Castillo and Lee Reiver scored five points each for Huntington. It was the Blue Devils’ second League IV victory of the winter. Huntington has endured much frustration, losing many close games this winter.
Forster Notches Triple-Double
Huntington junior Heather Forster notched a triple-double with 15 points, 26 rebounds and 10 blocks to pace the Blue Devil girls’ basketball team to a come-from-behind 48-38 victory over host West Babylon.
Huntington (11-0 league; 15-0 overall) trailed 8-0 before it finally scored more than five minutes into the game. The Blue Devils struggled through most of the first half. The Eagles led after one quarter, 11-6 before a Huntington rallied to take a 20-18 halftime lead.
Samantha Lynch had a game-high 16 points for Huntington. The junior added 10 rebounds and five steals. Katie Reilly had eight points. Katie Nugent added seven points and eight assists. Joellen Ceide and Mackenzie Maloney scored one point each.
The Blue Devils outscored West Babylon in the second half, 28-20. The teams really battled it out on both ends of the court. Forster tied the game at 17-all late in the second quarter with a layup underneath the basket. Maloney put Huntington ahead for the first time seconds later when she hit a free throw.
HHS wrestlers win six bouts
The Huntington wrestling team put in a good effort against Kings Park, coming closer to knocking off the Kingsmen than many thought possible. But, in the end, the Blue Devils fell 42-29.
Huntington’s wins came from Kyle Mock (pin in 2:36 at 99 lbs.), John Arceri (7-0 decision at 113 lbs.), Corey Jamison (technical fall in 3:40 at 126 lbs.), Carlos Pereira (5-2 decision at 138 lbs.), Joe Puca (forfeit at 160 lbs.) and Anthony Puca (pin in 2:58 at 285 lbs.).
Surprising league title
Huntington boys’ indoor track and field coach Ron Wilson was a little apprehensive prior to the start of the winter season. “We’ve come in second for the past five years in League IV,” Wilson explained. “Our enrollment increased and we found ourselves the last team in League III. So with that in mind, I figured our chances would be very slim. We had some new faces this year and I think that helped us out greatly. Our upperclassmen really shined this past week leading the way to a first-time boys’ indoor league title.”
Convincing victory on the mat
Huntington’s wrestlers were impressive while convincingly defeating Comsewogue last Saturday in a rare morning league meet in the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School gym, 56-13.
Winning matches for the Blue Devils were Ethan Dwyer (forfeit at 99 lbs.), Kyle Mock (12-0 decision at 106 lbs.), John Arceri (technical fall in 4:50 at 113 lbs.), Corey Jamison (forfeit at 132 lbs.), Carolos Pereira (8-3 decision at 145 lbs.), Charles Ehrman (4-1 decision at 170 lbs.), Jon Canas (3-2 decision in overtime at 182 lbs.), Anthony Puca (forfeit at 220 lbs.) and Hector Rubio (forfeit at 285 lbs.).
Blue Devil football dinner
The Blue Devil football program will celebrate its championship season at a dinner on Thursday, February 27 at 6 p.m. in the Huntington High School cafeteria.
Dozens of individual awards are expected to be presented to varsity, junior varsity and middle school players. Coaches will recount some of the highlights of the season, which saw the Blue Devils win the Suffolk County title and nearly knockoff defending Long Island champion Lawrence.
The parents of players will cater the event, which is expected to draw a crowd of more than 150.
Early lead slips away
The Huntington High School boys’ basketball team had a 12 point lead at halftime, but Deer Park surged in the second half, outscoring the Blue Devils 55-22 to grab a 79-54 victory and remain undefeated in Suffolk League V play.
Huntington had a 17-10 lead after the first quarter and held a 32-24 halftime advantage. Then the bottom dropped out and Deer Park went on an epic run.
The Blue Devils were led by Kenny Charles’ 16 points, including five three-pointers. Alex Castillo had 12 points. Shyheim Brewster added seven points and Scott Gulizio had six points. Lee Reiver scored five points and Kevin Lawrence had four points. Kevin Montefusco and Matt Reed had two points each.
Late rally falls short
Visiting Islip methodically built was proved to be an insurmountable lead before the Blue Devil wrestling team rallied late in the meet. Huntington won seven of 15 matches, but ultimately fell, 38-30.
Kyle Mock (4-3 decision at 99 lbs.), Ethan Dwyer (pin in 1:13 at 106 lbs.), John Arceri (16-2 decision at 113 lbs.), Corey Jamison (15-1 decision at 126 lbs.), Joe Puca (17-3 decision at 160 lbs.), Jon Canas (2-1 decision at 170 lbs.) and Anthony Puca (pin in 1:50 at 220 lbs.) won bouts for the Blue Devils.
The victory was Islip’s sixth without a loss in Suffolk League V action.
Coaches Appointed
Huntington School Board members appointed Michael Fabio (assistant, crew), Natalee Schaeffer (assistant, Finley girls’ lacrosse-white), Eli Acosta (assistant, boys’ varsity spring track and field), Elena Albanese (assistant, girls’ varsity lacrosse) and William Harris (head coach, Finley baseball) as members of the Blue Devil athletic program coaching staff for the spring season.
New Department Secretary
Rosemary Fleming has been appointed to work in the Huntington School District’s athletic department as a 10-month senior clerk typist. She is replacing Amy Smith, who is retiring as the department’s secretary at the end of the week. Ms. Fleming is coming to the position from J. Taylor Finley Middle School where she had been working as a clerk typist.