Huntington High School (West Virginia)

Huntington High School
Location
1 Highlander Way

Huntington
,
West Virginia
25701

United States

38°23′38″N 82°23′55″W / 38.39389°N 82.39861°W / 38.39389; -82.39861
Information
TypePublic
MottoBy Faith and Service
Established1996
School district
Cabell County Schools
Principal
Joedy Cunningham[1]
Staff117.85 (FTE)[2]
Grades9–12
Student to teacher ratio
14.60[2]
Campus size
69 acres (0.28 km2)
Campus type
Suburban
ColorsOld Gold and Hunter Green   
Athletics conference
Mountain State Athletic Conference
MascotHighlander
NicknameHighlanders
RivalCabell Midland High School[3]
WebsiteHuntington High School

Huntington High School is a four-year high school located in Huntington, West Virginia, United States.

History

Huntington High School was established in 1996 through the consolidation of the old Huntington and Huntington East High Schools. The school has a student body of approximately 1600 students. Huntington High School carries the Highlander mascot with the colors old gold and hunter green. The Huntington High Staff consists of a principal, five assistant principals, five counselors, 142 teachers, five secretaries, an athletic director, and 10 custodians. Eleven cooks staff the cafeteria and offer a variety of both hot and cold lunch selections daily. Four administrative offices can be found throughout the building to facilitate the needs of both students and staff. The award-winning curricular and extra-curricular programs offered at Huntington High School provide activities for all areas of interest. Huntington High is accredited by the North Central Association.

Huntington High School (which combined old Huntington and Huntington East High School) was originally called Cabell West High School during the school project planning period. The name was then changed to Huntington Summit when the name of the other public high school in Cabell County was changed to Cabell Midland. The Cabell County Board of Education then decided that the new school should have connections to the two schools, Huntington High and Huntington East, that were being consolidated together. That is why the new school kept the Huntington High School name and then adopted the Highlanders nickname from the soon-to-be-closed Huntington East High School. The new school colors have no connection to the old high schools.

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

In the fall of 2009, the British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver arrived in Huntington, West Virginia, which had recently been named the unhealthiest city in America. He starred and produced in Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, a reality TV series that aired during 2010 and 2011 on ABC in the United States. Oliver visited Huntington High School during his campaign to curb obesity in the United States.[4] In 2016, after the filming of this television show focused on moderating eating habits and fighting obesity, the Cabell County Board of Education announced the school would pilot a program of unlimited and free food for all students regardless of socio-economic status.

Former Highlanders students criticized the show, stating that a segment filmed in the school's gymnasium was deceptively edited by ABC. More specifically, some students claim that the film crew requested multiple retakes of the assembly when Oliver announced that french fries would no longer be served in the cafeteria because the students' collective 'booing' wasn't deemed sufficiently authentic for their "reality" show. Shortly after Oliver left, a study by the West Virginia University Health Research Center reported that 77 percent of students were “very unhappy” with his food. Students who relied on school meals for nearly half of their daily calories routinely dumped their trays in the trash.[5]

Speaker Series

In 2017, members of the Cabell County Board of Education, Huntington High staff and Student Government hosted a series of educational lectures in the school auditorium for the benefit of the student body. The topics covered in these symposiums include leadership, perseverance, overcoming adversity and personal growth. Some of the speakers invited include, but are not limited to, New York Times bestselling author and businessman Stedman Graham, former Highlander boys assistant basketball coach Jimmy Clayton, and Minority Leader of the West Virginia House of Delegates Sean Hornbuckle.[6]

2022 Walkouts

In 2022, the high school made national news[7][8][9] over a series of walkouts associated with a religious service being held in the school's auditorium.[10][11]

Student body

Huntington High, with an enrollment of 1,731, is one of the largest high schools in the state. The population is 50.85% male. The school is 77.46% White, 14.70% Black, 1.82% Hispanic, 0.85% Asian, and 4.86% of 2 or more races.

Athletics

Huntington High School's athletic programs are well-represented at the state level. HHS has produced over 100 West Virginia State Championships in multiple sports.[12]

2005-2007 Boy's Basketball Dynasty

The 2005–2007 Huntington High School boys basketball "three-peat" is widely celebrated as the most dominant era in West Virginia high school sports history. Under head coach Lloyd McGuffin, the Huntington High Highlanders captured three consecutive Class AAA state championships in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

The 2006–2007 Huntington High School boys basketball team, lead by McDonald's All Americans and first round NBA draft picks O. J. Mayo and Patrick Patterson, earned a top five ranking nationally by Sports Illustrated, USA Today and Prep Nation[13] and won their third straight Class AAA state championship. Other members of the roster include Chris Early, Mike Taylor, Jamaal Williams, Bruce Senior, Colin Oakley, C.J. Crawford, Brandon Hutchinson, and Lambros Svingos. The team traveled across the country—playing at venues like Duke University's Cameron Indoor Stadium, Marshall University's Cam Henderson Center, University of Kentucky Memorial Coliseum—and drew packed crowds wherever they played. Huntington finished the 2007 season with a 25–2 record, routing South Charleston 103–61 in the state title game, where Mayo recorded a triple-double with 41 points. They won their three state tournament games by an average of 48 points. Widely considered the greatest high school basketball team in West Virginia history, the roster was made entirely of home-grown local players from Huntington.[14]

After retiring from his high school career as the number one ranked prospect in the nation, Mayo would go on to play one standout season at the University of Southern California (USC), earning first-team All-Pac-10 honors. He was drafted 3rd overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves and immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He played 8 total seasons in the NBA for the Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, and Milwaukee Bucks, making the NBA All-Rookie Team in 2009.

Patterson starred at the University of Kentucky for three seasons, graduating in just three years. He was named SEC Freshman of the Year (2008) and a First-Team All-SEC selection twice before turning pro. He was selected 14th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. He enjoyed a solid 11-to-12-year NBA career playing as a reliable stretch-forward for the Rockets, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Clippers. Huntington High School honored Patterson's contribution to the school and the city by retiring his number.[15]

Chris Early was ranked as a Top 150 national recruit by Rivals.com and would initially sign with the University of Oklahoma and later transfer to the University of Chattanooga (UTC). He spent four season with UTC and served as a team captain during his tenure.[16] Bruce Senior would later commit to playing for the Marshall University Thundering Herd under Coach Donnie Jones.[17] Jamaal Williams brought his skills to the collegiate level for the Saluqis at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis, Tennessee. Mike Taylor joined the roster of the West Virginia Wild, an inaugural team in the American Basketball Association (ABA). He played alongside local legends and former collegiate stars from Marshall University and West Virginia University.[18] Lambros Svingos eventually became the Head Coach for Huntington High School Boy's Basketball Team.[19]

State championships

Pre-Consolidation State championships

Listed below are all championships won by Huntington East High School (E) and Old Huntington High School (H).

State championships State runners-up
Sport Year(s) Year(s)
Baseball 1949 (E), 1961 (H), 1964 (H), 1966 (H), 1976 (H), 1980 (E), 1981 (E), 1982 (E), 1986 (E), 1987 (E) 1974 (E)
Boys basketball 1925 (H), 1931 (H), 1937 (H), 1944 (H), 1947 (E), 1961 (H), 1969 (H), 1988 (H) 1932 (H), 1941 (H), 1948 (E), 1955 (H)
Girls basketball 1919 (H) 1920 (H), 1986 (E), 1992 (E), 1993 (E), 1996 (E)
Cheer 1989 (H)
Boys cross country 1961 (H), 1962 (H), 1964 (E), 1965 (E) 1958 (H), 1959 (E), 1960 (E), 1967 (E)
Football 1964 (H), 1966 (H)
Golf 1960 (H), 1961 (H), 1963 (H), 1964 (H), 1968 (H), 1973 (H) 1954 (H), 1966 (H), 1975 (H), 1991 (E), 1996 (H)
Softball 1996 (H)
Boys tennis 1956 (H), 1957 (H), 1962 (E), 1973 (H), 1995 (H)
Girls tennis 1995 (H), 1996 (H)
Boys track 1914 (H), 1915 (H), 1918 (H), 1919 (H), 1920 (H), 1927 (H), 1931 (H), 1938 (H), 1939 (H), 1940 (H), 1942 (H), 1945 (H), 1947 (H), 1963 (H), 1967 (H), 1990 (H), 1993 (H)
Girls track 1982 (H), 1985 (H), 1988 (H), 1989 (H), 1990 (H)
Volleyball 1985 (E), 1986 (E), 1987 (E), 1988 (E), 1990 (E) 1984 (E)

Post-Consolidation State championships

Listed below are all championships won by Huntington High after 1996.

State championships State runners-up
Sport Year(s) Year(s)
Boys basketball 2005, 2006, 2007, 2014, 2015, 2017 2016
Girls basketball 2000, 2017, 2021, 2022 2007, 2008, 2009, 2016
Football 2022 2013, 2021
Golf 1997, 1998, 1999, 2019
Softball 2007, 2008
Girls soccer 2004 2003
Boys swimming 2024
Boys tennis 2000, 2004, 2011, 2012, 2017
Girls tennis 1997, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2025 2022
Boys track 2023, 2026
Girls track 2026 2025
Wrestling 2013, 2014

Huntington Prep School

In 2009, Huntington Prep School was originally housed within St. Joseph Central Catholic High School, but in 2020 ended that relationship.[20][21][22] Since 2021, Huntington Prep became part of Cabell County Schools after they moved host schools to Huntington High School.

Clubs and Organizations

Notable alumni

As Old Huntington High School

As Huntington High School

References

  1. ↑ "Administration / Joedy Cunningham - Principal".
  2. 1 2 "HUNTINGTON HIGH SCHOOL". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
  3. ↑ "FNR: Live coverage of Huntington vs. Cabell Midland set for Friday, Oct. 4". WCHS. October 2, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  4. ↑ On Air With Ryan Seacrest (April 14, 2010). Lobbying For Support - Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution | Promo Clip | On Air With Ryan Seacrest. Retrieved August 26, 2026 – via YouTube.
  5. ↑ Black, Jane. "She Outsmarted Jamie Oliver — And Figured Out The Future Of School Lunch". The Huffington Post. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  6. ↑ STUCK, TAYLOR (October 17, 2015). "Speaker Stedman Graham encourages students to be leaders". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  7. ↑ Bella, Timothy (February 10, 2022). "Students walk out in protest after public high school holds a Christian revival: 'Is this legal?'". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  8. ↑ Ebrahimji, Alisha (February 10, 2022). "High school students stage a walkout after they say they were forced to attend a Christian revival assembly during school hours". CNN. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  9. ↑ Willingham, Leah (February 9, 2022). "Christian revival at high school prompts student walkout in West Virginia". NBC News. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  10. ↑ Wadas, Natalie (February 9, 2022). "Huntington High students protest 'forced' religious revival with walkout". WBOY-TV. Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  11. ↑ Creasy, Luke (February 10, 2022). "Religious revival prompts walkout by Huntington High students". The Herald-Dispatch. HD Media. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  12. ↑ "West Virginia - State Champion History". West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
  13. ↑ Archives, L. A. Times (December 31, 2006). "Mayo impressive at Huntington High". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  14. ↑ WSAZ (March 18, 2020). "Huntington's dream team state title anniversary". www.wsaz.com. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  15. ↑ Huntington High honors Patrick Patterson; Highlanders win. February 1, 2024. Retrieved August 26, 2026 – via www.wsaz.com.
  16. ↑ www.espn.com https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/stats/_/id/41346/chris-early. Retrieved August 26, 2026. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ↑ "Bruce Senior - Men's Basketball". Marshall University Athletics. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  18. ↑ Herald-Dispatch, The (January 3, 2009). "W.Va. Wild has some familiar names". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  19. ↑ Staff, MetroNews (May 18, 2023). "Lambros Svingos approved as next boys basketball coach at Huntington". WV MetroNews. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  20. ↑ Grant Traylor (January 18, 2013). "Coach explains Huntington Prep". The Herald-Dispatch.
  21. ↑ Josh Barr (February 22, 2012). "Huntington Prep's after-school special: Basketball players attend classes at St. Joseph's Central Catholic, then play for the Express". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 28, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Education – Huntington Prep School". www.huntingtonprep.com. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Hoge Workman Football Reference Profile". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  24. ↑ Rainey, Chris. "Johnson Fry". SABR. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Marshall Hawkins Basketball Reference Profile". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  26. ↑ Thacker, Jim (2010). "Player Profile: Leo Byrd". BigBlueHistory.net. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
  27. ↑ "Business leaders to join Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni". Vanderbilt University School of Engineering. Vanderbilt University. January 30, 2014. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Rick Reed Baseball Reference Profile". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  29. ↑ Former Olympic wrestler from Huntington trains future Olympians. wsaz.com. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Miko Alley - Women's Soccer". West Virginia Mountaineers. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  31. ↑ "O.J. Mayo Scouting Report". ESPN. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Player Bio: O.J. Mayo". University of Southern California Official Athletic Site. Archived from the original on May 26, 2009. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
  33. ↑ "Patrick Patterson Scouting Report". ESPN. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Patrick Patterson Recruiting Profile". Archived from the original on February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  35. ↑ Traylor, Grant (March 27, 2016). "Dunn-Martin made a huge impact for HHS". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Playmaker Dunn-Martin Signs With Saskatoon Mamba For 2026 Season". CEBL. May 6, 2026. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Darnell Wright Scouting Report". ESPN. February 6, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  38. ↑ Bock, Ethan (September 4, 2022). "2024 5-Star G Trentyn Flowers to Narrow List Down on Oct. 13". WV Sports Now. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Darryn Peterson has successful homecoming with Huntington Prep". Sports Illustrated. February 17, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
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