It’s been a long time since the name Jared Huggins was mentioned in Sedona basketball circles but the 29-year-old is glad to be back.
Huggins, who graduated from Sedona Red Rock High School in 2000, was a big part of the Scorpion boys basketball team that made it to the 2A conference state final four in 2000.
A power forward at the time, Huggins was a three-year varsity letter winner at Sedona, and earned two-second team All-Region awards in the 2A Canyon region as a junior and senior.
At 27-3, Sedona faced Scottsdale Christian High School in the state semifinals, losing to the Eagles at what was then known as America West Arena, where the Phoenix Suns play. Scottsdale Christian wound up winning the state championship.
That was the last time Huggins was in a Sedona uniform, but this time around, Huggins will be pacing the sidelines as the new girls basketball coach at West Sedona School.
“The principal, Dr. Lisa Hirsch, she needed my help. I also love to coach basketball, I wanted to give back to the community and the school,” Huggins said.
After gradation from Sedona, Huggins went to Arizona State University and graduated in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Huggins continued his education at the University of Phoenix where he got his master’s degree in business administration in January 2009.
He eventually moved back to Sedona and has started his own insurance company with two other partners. Between the new business and Wildcat girls basketball, Huggins stays busy.
“Things are going well. We did end up losing both of our first games so far but there was big improvement. Between the new business and basketball, I don’t have much time,” Huggins said with a smile.
In his spare time, the Sedona native likes to be with his 42-year-old son, Joshua, who is entering preschool at West Sedona. He also likes to go hiking and be outdoors.
Huggins realizes the girls basketball team at West Sedona is going to need time to improve, but he believes by the end of the season the Wildcats will be playing well.
“There is some talent there and hopefully by the end of the season we’ll be playing good basketball,” Huggins said.
