The William Floyd girls’ varsity basketball team earned the right to continue its championship pursuit Friday night with a thrilling playoff victory over Huntington. The Colonials captured a hard fought 55-51 win in a quarterfinal matchup that remained tight from start to finish, matching the intensity expected at this stage of the postseason.
Scoring came at a premium early as Huntington’s defense set the tone in the opening quarter. William Floyd struggled to find rhythm offensively, while Huntington capitalized on limited opportunities to take a 10-4 lead after one. Head coach Rich Sinclair responded with key adjustments, and the Colonials answered in the second quarter by increasing defensive pressure and pushing the tempo. William Floyd outscored Huntington 16-10 in the period, evening the score at 20-20 heading into halftime.
The third quarter continued the back and forth trend, with both teams trading baskets and defensive stops. Neither side could create separation, but the Colonials found just enough offense to seize their first lead of the game. William Floyd closed the quarter ahead 35-32, setting up a dramatic final eight minutes.
In the pressure filled fourth quarter, both offenses finally opened up. The Colonials and Huntington combined for 39 points, as William Floyd briefly surged ahead by as many as 13 points late in the game. Huntington, however, refused to fade, clawing back possession by possession. In the final moments, Huntington converted two clutch free throws to tie the game at 51, sending tension throughout the gymnasium.
William Floyd responded immediately. On the ensuing possession, sophomore Milania Farrow delivered the defining moment of the night, and one of the best on the island this season, knocking down a deep three pointer with one second remaining on the clock. The basket sealed the dramatic 55-51 victory and sent the Colonials into celebration.
Farrow led William Floyd with a team high 24 points and delivered an outstanding all around performance. She added three rebounds, three assists, and three steals to complement the game winning shot. Junior Savannah Pantry and freshman Taleah Coppola each scored 11 points. Pantry also recorded 11 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, while Coppola contributed five rebounds, three assists, and five steals. Chloe Campbell finished with five points, Gabrielle Bell-Eleazer connected on a key three pointer and added two assists, and Vinte’ya Rountree chipped in three rebounds and a free throw.
With the win, the Colonials advance to the Section XI Class AAA semifinals, where they will host third seeded Ward Melville next Friday, February 27. Ward Melville earned its spot with a gritty 30-29 victory over Sachem East.
Friday’s result continued a remarkable postseason run for a program built on balance, resilience, and trust. William Floyd relied on poise in crucial moments, depth across the lineup, and disciplined defense to withstand every Huntington push. The victory reflected months of preparation and belief within the locker room. As the semifinals approach, the Colonials will look to carry momentum, confidence, and home court energy into another high stakes playoff challenge ahead as expectations rise and community support continues to grow.