Jolie Weinschreider, Ava McDonald take control in second half to propel Huntington girls basketball
Jolie Weinschreider of Huntington gets out on the fast break in the third quarter of a Suffolk League II matchup against Commack on Monday January 19, 2026 in Huntington. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
Jolie Weinschreider provided Huntington with a spark in the third quarter and with the game on the line, she proved to be ready for the moment.
Weinschreider scored all 11 of her points in the second half as host Huntington earned a 41-37 victory over Commack in Suffolk II girls basketball on Monday afternoon at Louis D. Giani Gymnasium.
With just more than 40 seconds remaining, Ava McDonald drove the baseline and fired a pass to Weinschreider on the left wing. Weinschreider connected on her first three-pointer of the game, and the team’s third, giving Huntington a 39-37 lead.
“When I caught the pass, I knew this was going to be one of our last chances in the game,” Weinschreider said. “It was a perfect pass and I knew that I would sink it.”
Two possessions later, Leighton Evans tipped Commack’s inbounds pass into the backcourt with less than 10 seconds remaining and applied pressure to the ballhandler, forcing an errant pass and turnover with two seconds left.
“We’re used to seeing plays like that. We see it in practice all the time and practice is how we play.” McDonald said. “We trust each other and know that we’re going to make those plays and if we don’t, we have four other people to protect us.”
McDonald had 15 points, five assists and six steals and Madyn Kalb scored seven points for Huntington (8-5). Alexa Rosenbach had 14 points and 11 rebounds and Mia McBrien scored seven points for Commack (7-6).
McDonald got a quick layup to start the second half and Weinschreider had a steal and an assist to McDonald for another basket, giving Huntington a 20-15 lead.
Rosenbach made a layup through contact and Gianna Solch made two free throws to give Commack its largest lead of the game at 24-20. Weinschreider scored the next eight points for Huntington as it took a 28-26 lead.
“I think I started to find my rhythm from our defense,” Weinschreider said. “We were getting steals and pressuring the ball. That led to me getting a few easy baskets just off our collective effort.”
Huntington jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the first quarter, but Commack closed on a 6-0 run to tie it. Rosenbach scored to give Commack its first lead at 15-14 in the second quarter, but McDonald stole a pass and fired down court to Evans for a layup, giving Huntington a 16-15 lead going into the half.
“Whatever we need, Ava is going to do. If we need a steal, a pass, a drive, she does it all,” Huntington coach Perry Marinelli said. “We call her our Batman. We’re Gotham and whatever Gotham needs, she does.”
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
