Ravenswood family legacy lives on at Boys State High School Basketball Tournament

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Ravenswood family is hoping for a big win this Semi Final Friday at the Boys State High School Basketball Tournament.

The Hunts are cheering on #23 Drew Hunt, the latest family member to compete in the tournament in Charleston. He comes from three generations of players and coaches at Ravenswood High School.

His sister Annie Hunt played for the Ravenwood girl’s basketball team last year. She’s hoping her brother can secure a state title.

“I’m so excited. I feel like I’m playing because I’m so nervous for him,” she said.

Growing up in a family of basketball players, Annie Hunt said it was inevitable to get hooked on the sport at a young age.

“Mom made it to where I would go into dance, soccer, she wanted to put me into everything. She wanted me to have an array of options and I chose basketball,” she said.

The passion for basketball came from parents Mary Beth and Scott Hunt who played for the same school years ago.

Mary Beth Hunt was a four time 1st team all-state selection in the mid-90s playing for her dad, Butch Varney.

“Both my uncle and my dad played for Ravenswood and then they both coached the girls program for several years,” she said. “I, of course, played for them.”

The Varneys and Hunts grew up across the street from each other and actually had a rivalry when it came to basketball.

Scott Hunt played for the Ravenswood boys team before he started dating Mary Beth.

“My brother graduated in ’93 and I graduated in ’94. My brother’s team made it to the state tournament in ’93, the quarterfinals, and lost by three points and now Annie and Drew are filling in the rest of it. It’s pretty cool,” he said.

While she didn’t shoot hoops, grandmother Debbie Lang still attended games in her day as a Ravenswood cheerleader where she met her late husband Gary Hunt who was captain of the basketball team.

“We were high school sweethearts,” Lang said. “He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs right out of high school, so athletics has always been a part of our family.”

Lang said there’s no denying that, even at an early age, basketball is in their blood.

“I think the first gift the boys ever got was a baseball, football or basketball. When they were born, they had them in their cribs,” she said. “Gary was always out in the yard playing with them. It was just natural for them.”

During a post-game interview earlier in the week, Drew Hunt talked about some challenges he had to overcome.

“I struggled at the beginning because I never shot here before and then finally after those three, I got myself together and just focused on what I’ve been doing the past couple months and just shot like normal,” he said.

The Hunts say they’re always looking for ways to improve their game, even at home.

“It’s non-stop, really. We’ll sit around watching TV and we’re not even watching TV and talk about basketball or basketball in on TV or something,” Scott Hunt said.

Mary Beth Hunt said the sport and being competitive is “part of their culture” as a family.

“We can’t even play Monopoly without it being full on throttle games. It’s definitely just a part of our family atmosphere,” she said.

The Hunts have always instilled in their kids that no matter what the outcome of the game is, it’s all about the lessons learned along the way.

“We try to keep it positive,” Mary Beth Hunt said. “You want to go out there and give everything you have and they know that at the end of the day, we’re going on hug on them and love on them no matter what. We’re right there with them.”

This is the 100th season for the Ravenswood Red Devils. Ravenswood takes on Poca in the Class AA Semi Finals Friday at 1 p.m.





More News

News
As Yeager Airport's Wildlife Patrol Dog turns 7, a new dog comes in to learn from him
The new Border Collie is getting acclimated and receiving training for his soon-to-be role.
March 28, 2024 - 6:30 pm
News
Dunlow Volunteer Fire Department closes
The Dunlow VFD did not have a valid workers compensation insurance policy.
March 28, 2024 - 6:20 pm
News
PEIA examines financial effects of new law meant to ensure local pharmacies get fair reimbursements
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 453 into law this week.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm
News
Barbour County woman sentenced after death case sent back to circuit court by Supreme Court
Carli Reed sentenced on voluntary manslaughter conviction.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm