Girls Basketball, Boys Swimming Set Sights On Post Season

Two Hauppauge varsity sports teams are finding success that hasn’t always been in past years. Whether on the court or in the pool, these teams victories merit attention.

Girls Basketball Loses To Deer Park, 39-32, but Keep Playoff hopes

The Lady Eagles have proven themselves to be among the best in League IV. Girls basketball lost 39-32 to the undefeated Deer Park Falcons in a close contest on Thursday. 

 Now at 4-2 in league play (9-3 overall), the Eagles are also behind Bellport. Hauppauge lost to Bellport on Jan. 6 by 2 points after missing 19 of their free throws. The Eagles have an upcoming rematch that will offer them the chance to gain ground. 

“It’ll probably be a different story when we meet again in February, our first meeting was certainly not our best game," said head coach Jamie Edson. "Our main goal from the beginning has been to get into the playoffs and go from there, so we’re looking to get that sixth win soon.”

The Eagles’ starters have made their mark in Suffolk County's ranking as top players in points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers, and not one of them is a senior. Sophomore Julie Williams leads Suffolk county with 35 three-pointers and ranks 10th in points per game with 17.2. Junior Lindsay Alfano, falls in at 9th place with 20 three-pointers, while Junior Lauren Descalzo is in the top ten for assists per game, and Junior Katie Osipowich ranks for rebounds per game.

Watch them take on the Huntington Blue Devils, 2-3 (5-5), come to Hauppague Jan 27 at 5:45p.m.

Boys Swimming is Tied for First Thanks to New Additions

Hauppauge boys swimming has attracted nearly a 100 percent increase of new swimmers since last season, and the enthusiasm for the sport has transpired into wins.

“Some of the guys just love the sport and it’s infectious, they would bring their friends in and now there’s a camaraderie that keeps them working hard," said head coach Rich Lionetti. 

That hard work is leading Eagles boys swimming to an undefeated season; at 4-0 (6-0-1) they share the top seed in League II. This week, Hauppauge swimmers claimed back-to-back wins againstWest Islip, 97-86, on Jan. 18 followed by East Hampton, 85-71, on Jan. 19. 

Yet, the team's stiffest competition is yet to come, with Sayville/Bayport and Connetquot who remain undefeated.

The Eagles have knocked off several teams that have given them trouble in the past season, but Lionetti sees these two teams differently.

"If we’re good, then they’re really good. Every team is beatable though, it’s going to take everything going right and us swimming well to finish on top," He said. 

The Eagles will go to Sayville/Bayport on Jan. 27 at 4 p.m.,and then Feb. 1 Connetquot will travel to Hauppauge for a 4:15 p.m. meet.

With the time still remaining in the regular season, there’s plenty of opportunity to for more Eagles to qualify for County’s with a chance at a State medal. So far qualified: Freshman Justin Plaschka in the 100-meter fly and backstroke; Travis and Trever Maida in the 100m fly and 200m  medley; Chris Whitehorn in the 500 and 200m freestyle; and Leroy Farrell, who has broken the school’s record in 6 dives at 1 meter diving with a 232; there’s sure to be more to come.