WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The Huntington women’s basketball team put the exclamation point on Senior Day Saturday afternoon at Platt Arena by registering a 75-64 win over Goshen. It was a perfect way to not only honor seniors Ruby Bolon and Gabi Melby but wrap up the regular season with their fourth straight win.

The senior duo set the tone for the day by each scoring in the first four minutes to open up a 7-3 lead. The Maple Leafs challenged HU’s quick start by not only taking a 16-14 lead after the first ten minutes, but building their advantage to seven at 21-14 within the first minute of the second quarter.

It was the wake-up call Huntington needed. Maggard’s crew spent the rest of the half regaining control. Liv Raby scored seven of her nine first half points to spearhead an 18-4 run that allowed HU to climb back on top 32-25 by intermission.

While the Foresters never gave up the lead after that, Goshen also never let their hosts too far out of sight which included a late push that trimmed the difference to four at 62-58 with just under three minutes remaining. Annaka Nelson was not having it. The 6-0 sophomore scored on a putback and then :30 seconds later spotted up for a three in transition that proved the final dagger when it tickled the twine to put her team up 67-58 with less than two minutes to go.

A six-for-six performance at the line for the hosts in the final 30 seconds ensured the win. In addition to picking up their 17th win of the year, HU also enjoyed a few highlights along the way. Having entered the contest needing just one block to tie the program record for blocks in season, Raby swatted three shots to make for her 54th block this winter. The previous record was 52 held by Jaclene Bonnema dating back to the 2015-16 season.

As a team, HU established a new program record for three-pointers in a season. The Foresters came into the day needing three treys to make history and it was Bailey Kelham’s banked in three with four minutes left in the third that broke last year’s record of 254. The Foresters went on to drain three more for 258 on the season and counting.

Raby finished with a game-tying 19 points to go along with her three blocks, four rebounds and four assists. Kelham tossed in 14 points which included making all four of her freebies. Melby added 13 points, six assists and five rebounds. Nelson rounded out Huntington’s double digit scoring with ten in addition to ripping down a team-best seven boards.

Zion Neat matched Raby’s 19 points to lead Goshen while Lillian Null netted 13 points. Syanne Mohamed took home game-high rebounding honors with 11.

With this win, HU wraps up the regular season with a 17-11 record which includes a CL record of 10-8. Huntington will be the 5th seed in the Crossroads League Tournament next week. The Foresters will travel to 4th-seeded Spring Arbor on Wednesday in quarterfinal action of the tourney.