Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
CHILLICOTHE — On a night when Huntington Township came together to celebrate its seniors, the community saw two dominant wins over New Boston on Saturday evening.
GIRLS: Huntington 47, New Boston 21
Seniors Allie Baker and Leah McCloskey helped the Huntsmen get out to a fast start before they pulled away from the Tigers.
A 47-21 win marked the team’s 17th victory this season — which is the most regular season wins for the program since the 2007-2008 season.
Huntington (17-5) led at every break, increasing the lead each quarter as the Huntsmen coasted to a dominant win.
Baker led all scorers with 23 points while McCloskey added nine points and freshman Brailee Hauswirth provided eight tallies. Baker also dominated the glass as she pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds.
New Boston (8-12) was led in scoring by Arenda Gosselin with 10 points. The Tigers kick off tournament play at Clay on Wednesday.
Huntington’s seniors — Baker, McCloskey, Savannah Bushatz and Kaylee Kendall — were celebrated before the game, along with head coach Kyle Uhrig, who had won his 100th career game in the team’s previous outing against Zane Trace.
Huntington will now host those Pioneers on Thursday in the opening round of tournament play.
SCORING
New Boston: Gosselin 10, Boyer 4, Williams 3, Mustaine 2, Stone 2.
Huntington: Baker 23, McCloskey 9, Hauswirth 8, Bushatz 4, Smith 3.
BOYS: Huntington 72, New Boston 58
After a tight first half of play, the Huntsmen pulled away from New Boston for a 72-58 win in Saturday’s nightcap, behind an outstanding performance from sophomore Frankie Hirsch and the team’s four seniors, as well.
Hirsch, who knocked down four triples, led the Huntsmen with 22 points and 11 rebounds while their four seniors combined for 33 points to help the team win their seventh game this season — which is the program’s most wins since the 2018-2019 season.
The combination of Hirsch, Brayden Elliott and Carson Henneberger was able to hold off a red-hot start from New Boston’s Lamarcus Parker for a 17-16 lead after eight minutes.
Parker stayed hot in the second quarter, but Huntington’s defense was able to force 11 first half turnovers to help take a 36-30 lead at the break.
Hirsch, Seth Throckmorton, Ely Ary and Gabe Beardsley helped expand the lead to 54-40 after three quarters. And, a quick start to the fourth from Kalvin Manson eventually expanded the lead to as much as 20 points.
A late push from Parker and Wyatt McNeil brought the Tigers to within 11, but the Huntsmen (7-14) were able to ice the game at the line for the lopsided victory.
Henneberger added 11 points, while Elliott also joined Hirsch in double-digit scoring figures as he scored 10. Manson scored seven of his nine points to start the final quarter as nine different Huntsmen reached the scoring column.
Barring any additions to their regular season slate, the Huntsmen will open tournament play at Symmes Valley on Feb. 21.
New Boston’s Parker led all scorers with 29 electrifying points, scoring at all three levels with quickness and skill. McNeil added 15 points off of the bench for the Tigers while Levigh Cooper pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.
The Tigers (3-16) will host East on Tuesday night in an SOC I matchup.
SCORING
New Boston: Parker 29, McNeil 15, Brady 6, Cooper 5, Baker 2, Voiers 1.
Huntington: Hirsch 22, Henneberger 11, Elliott 10, Manson 9, Beardsley 6, Throckmorton 6, Ary 4, Baker 1, McDonald, Jr. 1.
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