HUNTINGTON — Huntington High boys basketball entered an era of dominance almost as soon as head coach Lloyd McGuffin took over the program in 2002. Now, the Highlanders might have to play through a season without their leader.

McGuffin, the head coach of three Class AAA state championship teams in the past six years, isn’t coaching this season.

“I am requesting a leave of absence for the 2008-2009 season,” McGuffin said. “This is a very tough decision, but it’s something that needs to be done for my family.”

Huntington High athletic director Bruce Senior said the position will be filled in the next two or three days by an interim head coach. Senior said it looks as though either assistant coach Ron Hess or freshman team coach Baker Neal will take over on an interim basis.

Senior said McGuffin will go before the Cabell County Board of Education on Dec. 2 to request his leave of absence for personal reasons.

McGuffin has coached in the Cabell County school system for 19 years. He was entering his seventh season as coach of the Highlanders.

During his six years at Huntington High, McGuffin compiled an impressive record of 120-34. That includes four consecutive trips to the state championship game from 2004 to 2007 in a run that produced three state titles.

University of Kentucky standout Patrick Patterson  was on all three state championship teams. Memphis Grizzlies rookie guard O.J. Mayo joined Patterson on the 2007 team, which was arguably the greatest high school basketball team ever in West Virginia.

The Highlanders have made it to the state tournament for five straight seasons. Last season might have been McGuffin’s most impressive coaching performance of all, after leading a team that returned no starters to the first round of the state tournament.

Huntington High looks primed for another run to the state tournament with returning starters J.J. Martin and Tyler Hutchison. Martin is a power forward that came on strong late in the season with his wide array of moves in the post. Hutchison is a versatile player that can run the point or start at shooting guard. His primary strengths are his outside shooting and ball handling skills.

The arrival of 6-foot-5 transfer Xavier Humphrey who played last season in North Carolina could give the Highlanders a boost. Humphrey is the son of former Marshall University standout John Humphrey.

 

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