Parkersburg Catholic’s Leslie Huffman signs with Fairmont State | News, Sports, Jobs

Photo by Kerry Patrick
Parkersburg Catholic’s Leslie Huffman, left, makes a move with the ball during a state tournament game against Petersburg. Huffman signed Tuesday with Fairmont State.

PARKERSBURG — Fairmont State University has developed quite the nice pipeline with Parkersburg Catholic girls basketball.

On Tuesday evening inside the PCHS gymnasium, Class A all-state captain Leslie Huffman confirmed her future plans by signing with the FSU women’s basketball program and joining two former Crusaderettes on the roster. Her sister Madeline Huffman just completed her sophomore season with the Falcons, while Aaliyah Brunny wrapped up her freshman year with the school.

Leslie Huffman, who led PCHS to the Class A state title and a perfect season (24-0), had her decision made prior to the state tournament but waited until the postseason completed to reveal her choice. Several schools were in the running, but she stuck with FSU.

Reuniting with her sister had little bearing on what path she chose. Rather, when it boiled down to checking all the boxes FSU was the right fit.

“Choosing Fairmont State University was a big thought process for me,” said Leslie Huffman.

“Going in, I think a lot of people had the presumption I was going there solely because that’s where Madeline had gone and Aaliyah was there. It’s a great opportunity to play with your sister and a former teammate and somewhere you know a lot of the people. You know the coaching staff. It’s an established program.

“But you have to find the place that fits you. You can’t go to the place that fits your family. But they did check a lot of the boxes I was looking for in a college. I’m hoping to go into nursing and they have a great program up there. So it worked for me.”

During her senior season, Leslie averaged 23.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.3 steals. During her four seasons as a Crusaderette, she started all 95 games as the Crusaderettes won 92 of a possible 95 games during that span.

Fairmont State, coached by Stephanie Anderson, closed out the 2021-22 campaign with a 15-13 record and 13-9 in the Mountain East Conference. As the starting point guard, Madeline Huffman averaged 6.0 points per game. Brunny topped out at 3.1 points per game while earning spot duty.

Leslie Huffman figures she will transition from point guard at PCHS to more of a shooting guard for the Falcons.

“The pace is definitely more upbeat than at the high school level,” said 5-foot-10 guard, who spent her official visit and a second day practicing with the players at FSU. “They want to go all the time. Playing here at Parkersburg Catholic has kind of helped with that. We are a very athletic team and we like to play that high speed basketball. So that should definitely play to my advantage next year.

“Next season, I will be moving away from point guard. It will be a big adjustment playing a whole new position. I have been moved around my whole life, but not being the primary ballhandler will be huge for me. Learning to play off the ball a little more and attack from the wing will be a fun experience.”

Leslie’s short list included Division I program Merrimack College (North Andover, Mass.) and Great Midwest Athletic Conference member Malone University (Canton, Ohio). Too much distance between Parkersburg and the 11-hour drive to Merrimack College canceled out that possibility.

“I also talked to Malone University, and if I weren’t looking for specific things might have been different,” Leslie said. “I’m happy with my decision and looking forward to getting to Fairmont State and accomplishing great things.”

As for her legacy at Parkersburg Catholic, Crusaderette coach Marty Vierheller touched on not only Leslie’s personal achievements but also her ability to bring out the best from her teammates.

“I think Fairmont State just got themselves a steal,” Vierheller said. “I’ve said all along that Leslie Huffman is beyond special and Fairmont State was smart enough to figure it out. It’s going to be a great fit for her and really special that three PCHS alumni are going to be on the same roster.

“Leslie is such a good student in addition to being a great athlete. I think she is the consummate definition of a student-athlete. She is such a hard worker and a perfectionist in everything she does.”

The last game Leslie and Madeline joined forces should have taken place on the basketball court at the Charleston Civic Center while attempting to pursue a high school state championship two years ago. COVID suspended those dreams and the tournament was canceled.

Now the reunion brings the two sisters under the same umbrella. Instead of Columbia Blue, the uniforms are maroon and white.

“This is a decision Leslie made on her own,” Madeline Huffman said. “Obviously, she asked me how I like it there. She had some guidance from my parents as far as what the best choice would be going forward, but they didn’t pressure her into making a decision.

“I know our coach (at FSU) had been watching the three of us at Parkersburg Catholic and following for a long time now. She is excited to have all three on the same team. She knows Leslie will be a good addition to the team with her length and speed, and shooting ability. I think she is looking forward to seeing how everything pans out.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at [email protected]