Trending
Madeline Huffman visited her old stomping grounds at Parkersburg Catholic High School.
The purpose was two-fold -- join her former teammates during a recognition ceremony and watch her younger sister play at the Mary 'O' Crusaderette Classic.
And by every indication, whether it was stated during a 25-minute video montage honoring the accomplishments from the past two seasons, or mentioned by PCHS coach Marty Viereller, the name 'Madeline' and her legacy still resonates throughout the Crusaderette girls program.
"Everything everyone said tugs at the heart strings a little bit," said Huffman, a sophomore in college who is starting for the women's basketball team at Fairmont State University.
"It meant a lot to be a part of this program here at Parkersburg Catholic and to get to show up next to people every day that became so close to me that I called them sisters and best friends," she continued. "It meant a lot to show up for the coaches and show up for the community, and to wear that Crusaderette jersey. That was a really special thing. I'm happy I spent my four years here."
COVID restrictions played good cop, bad cop for all players involved the past two seasons. Precautions taken during the pandemic took the safety of health concerns into consideration. But at the same time, robbed PCHS of a possible state championship in Huffman's senior season.
As the postseason for the 2019-20 season reached the Class A state tournament in Charleston, PCHS was riding a perfect 25-0 record into its matchup with Tucker County.
As the Crusaderettes were securing their quarterfinal victory over Tucker County, the PCHS baketball family recalls the announcement made over the PA stating that the state tournament was cancelled.
Huffman had just set a Class A state record with 15 assists. Of the immediate reactions, the concensus among her teammates focused on Huffman being denied an opportunity to play for the state title in her final season at PCHS.
"That was the common thought," said Jenna Boice, who started as a junior during the 2019-20 season. "Madeline was one of the most selfless people I have ever played with. She didn't care about her points. I think her favorite stat was assists. She worked so hard for all of us.
"Madeline didn't think she was better than us when she probably could have. She was one of the best to ever play here, but she didn't make it known. She just came in and she was one of us. She helped make me a better person and a much better player."
Huffman's numbers at PCHS are staggering. She finished five points shy of 1,500. The three-time, first-team all-stater also recorded 673 assists and 367 steals. In 28 years with the program, including the last 16 as head coach, Vierheller considers Huffman one of the best players to wear a Crusaderette uniform.
The 5-foot-5 guard is now writing yet another chapter at Fairmont State University. She is a permanent fixture in the starting lineup for a team which is 7-3 and only one-half game behind Glenville State College in the Mountain East Conference standings.
Huffman's stats don't necessarily pop off the charts, but she is getting her share of minutes, while averaging 6.1 points and 3.5 assists per game.
"Things are going our way," Huffman said. "We are very determined this year. We have two fifth-year seniors back and we are playing hard for them. We would like to win a conference championship for them because they have done a lot for us."
Similar to Huffman fulfilling the role as a senior captain for PCHS, the baton has been passed to her younger sister, Leslie, who carries that exact title this season. 'Madeline' can now sit back and watch from the stands on occasion -- recognizing similarities as the Crusaderettes' pursue a potential state title.
"(PCHS) has adjusted well to the different personnel," Madeline said. "Everyone understands their roles and are happy to fill them. There is never really any selfishness on these teams.
"It doesn't bother anybody that Leslie is going to lead in the scoring column. They are happy to come in and do their job because they are there for each other. That's the kind of teammates that have always been on teams here. It was the same way for, so it is good to see that with this team."
Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com.