Story by JAY W. BENNETT, WVSWA
CHARLESTON — Parkersburg Catholic and Wyoming East were on a collision course to the Class AA state championship game all season long.
The top two ranked teams banged heads for the second straight year, but this season it was the Crusaderettes who bested the Warriors and cut down the nets. Although both programs landed two first team all-staters, PCHS senior Leslie Huffman was honored Wednesday as captain by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
“Being named the all-state captain is a dream come true,” admitted Huffman, who started all 95 career games as a Crusaderette and helped her team go 92-3. “I always strive to be the best of the best and I am far from there but being awarded captain reminds me that my hard work is paying off and doesn’t go unnoticed.
“My team this year has really helped me to understand my role as a basketball player and a leader. I owe them a lot of the success we’ve had at Parkersburg Catholic these past four years and I wouldn’t trade my experience there for the world.”
Huffman, who also wanted to thank her coaches and family for their ongoing support, was a three-time Little Kanawha Conference Player of the Year. In her final season for head coach Marty Vierheller, Huffman finished with averages of 23.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.3 steals, a better than 2.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio (6.3-2.5) while shooting 76% from the line, 52% from the field and 38% from 3.
The Crusaderette, who was joined on the first unit by fellow senior teammate Lainie Ross, played for three state titles (2019 runner-up) and the 2020 squad was 26-0 following a state quarterfinal win versus Tucker County.
In three games at the state tournament, Huffman was credited with just one turnover in 79 minutes of playing time, while dishing out 17 assists.
“I have seen firsthand what Leslie has invested into her career,” Vierheller admitted of his three-time, first team all-stater. “This honor could not have been bestowed on a more special or deserving young woman. What makes this particularly special is the fact that Leslie is so humble. She has always put her heart and soul into her team’s success with no regard to personal accolades or glory.
“The results of her humility and dedication speak for themselves. I am elated that she has been named captain of the all-state team. Undoubtedly, Leslie Huffman is one of the greatest players to ever wear the Parkersburg Catholic columbia blue and white.”
The Warriors landed Maddie Clark, a sophomore who averaged 13.7 points, 5 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 3.9 steals. Junior teammate Kayley Bane put up 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists.
Ross, who led the Mid-Ohio Valley by shooting 61%, posted 12 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.1 steals an outing.
Half of the first team was comprised of LKC players. St. Marys freshman Addie Davis was a key cog in helping the Blue Devils to a state semifinal. Along with shooting 73% at the free-throw line, she put up 10.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.5 steals and 1.5 blocks a night.
Junior Rebekah Rupert, who averaged a double-double, earned a first team nod after putting up 15.1 points, 10.9 boards, 1.7 assists, 2.8 steals and 2.3 blocks a game for Ritchie County.
Addie Smith of Mingo Central joined Davis as a freshman honoree. The Miner, a 78% foul shooter, averaged 20.4 points, 3 caroms, 4.7 dimes and 2.3 thefts.
Potomac Valley Conference POY Halley Smith of Frankfort earned first team status.
The Falcons advanced to the state tournament with the help of Smith. The senior averaged 20.2 points, 3.9 caroms, 3 assists and 4.3 steals.
Parkersburg Catholic sophomore Mary Tokodi-Ruth was chosen captain of the second team.
Seniors Abby Darnley of Buffalo and Roane County’s Faith Mason join juniors Braylee Corbin of Petersburg and Abby Russell of Wyoming East on the second team.
Three more sophomores join Tokodi-Ruth on the unit — Summers County’s Gracie Harvey, Chapmanville’s Jaiden Mahon and Ravenswood’s Hadleigh McGoskey.
The 2022 Class AA Girls Basketball All-State Team as selected by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association
First Team
Leslie Huffman, Parkersburg Catholic, SR (Captain)
Lanie Ross, Parkersburg Catholic, SR
Maddie Clark, Wyoming East, SO
Kayley Bane, Wyoming East, JR
Addie Smith, Mingo Central, FR
Rebekah Rupert, Ritchie County, JR
Halley Smith, Frankfort, SR
Addie Davis, St. Marys, FR
Second Team
Mary Tokodi-Ruth, Parkersburg Catholic, SO (Captain)
Abby Russell, Wyoming East, JR
Braylee Corbin, Petersburg, JR
Faith Mason, Roane County, SR
Abby Darnley, Buffalo, SR
Gracie Harvey, Summers County, SO
Jaiden Mahon, Chapmaville, SO
Hadleigh McGoskey, Ravenswood, SO
Honorable Mention
Jenna Barnett, Trinity; Cadee Blackburn, Wyoming East; Hannah Blankenship, Wyoming East; Annie Cimino, Charleston Catholic; McKenna Crites, Moorefield; Madisyn Curry, Mingo Central; Daizi Farley, Chapmanville; Haley Fleming, Chapmanville; Maddie Hall, Roane County; Deborah Hardbarger, Parkersburg Catholic; Lakyn Joy, Williamstown; Kennedy Kaposy, Petersburg; Colleen Lookabill, Wyoming East; Josey Moore, St. Marys; Sophie Nelson, Ritchie County; Faith Pickens, Williamstown; Sullivan Pivont, Summers County; Breanna Price, St. Marys; Reagan Rudder, South Harrison; Maggie Stover, Summers County; Emily Wratchford, Ravenswood; Lilly Wyant, Buffalo.
