As a standout in both the classroom and basketball court, senior Jackson Huff left his mark on the Harlan County High School basketball program.
Huff was a three-year starter who played on Harlan County’s district championship and regional runner-up team in 2020. He averaged 9.5 points as a senior this past season and closes his high school career with a prestigious state honor as the 2021-22 Midway University/KHSAA Boys Student-Athlete of the Year.
Huff will be a valedictorian of his senior class with a 4.0 grade point average and plans to attend the University of Kentucky where he will major in business finance.
“I’m blessed to be recognized for my hard work on and off the court,” said Huff.
“Jackson Huff was the epitome of what a student-athlete should be,” said Eugene Farmer, the Harlan County High School athletic director. “His leadership in the classroom and on the court was an excellent example for his younger teammates and classmates to follow. Jackson’s contributions to Harlan County High School were invaluable throughout his career. He is definitely deserving of this honor and we are appreciative of how he has always represented our school and community. On behalf of our entire administration, myself and coach Jones, we congratulate him on this prestigious award.”
Huff is the second Black Bear to win the award, following former teammate Taylor Spurlock, who was the winner in 2020.
Knox Central’s Presley Partin won the Female Student-Athlete of the Year award.
Beginning in May of 2016, Midway University started presenting a Female Student-Athlete of the Year award at each KHSAA girls state championship event. The awards program was expanded in 2019-20 to include male student-athletes, with Midway honoring a deserving student-athlete in each of the 19 officially recognized KHSAA sports and sport-activities.
The awards are based on athletic and academic achievement as well as community service and leadership, with Midway choosing one overall male and female student-athlete of the year each academic year. School administrators, coaches and athletic directors nominate student-athletes online at KHSAA.org, and the nominees are voted upon by a closed panel consisting of representatives from Midway University.