Ava McDonald Paces Huntington to Win in League Opener

Ava McDonald poured in 23 points and added five rebounds and Leigh Evans scored a career high 16 points to lead the Huntington varsity girls’ basketball teams to a 54-33 victory over Connetquot in the league opener for both teams.

The Blue Devils jumped out to a 15-9 lead, which Huntington extended to 30-14 by halftime. Huntington’s defense held Connetquot to single digits in three of the four quarters.

Madyn Kalb scored six points and Jolie Weinschreider had five points while both played excellent defense against Connetquot’s top scorers.

Grace Gordon scored three points and Justina Hlenski had one point from the free throw line. Huntington dropped seven three-point baskets, including three by McDonald and two by Evans. Gordon and Weinschreider also scored from beyond the three-point arc.

Huntington hosts Copiague tonight (Friday) at 5 p.m. The junior varsity game is set for 7:15 p.m.

The Blue Devils split two earlier non-league games, topping Sayville, 44-16 and dropping a verdict to St. Dominic, 52-31.

In the season-opener at Sayville, McDonald had 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. Weinschreider scored 10 points and Gordon had seven points and eight rebounds.

Huntington opened a 17-2 first half lead, before going on to outscore the Golden Flashes in the second half, 27-14.

Against St. Dominic, McDonald again led the Blue Devils in scoring, this time dropping in 13 points. Evans had six points and Weinschreider scored five points. Kalb scored four points and Gordon had three points.

Huntington head coach Perry Marinelli and assistant coach Meg Marinelli are pleased with how hard the team has played over the first three games on the schedule and how the squad has come together. The pair is striving for daily improvement both individually and team.