Hunter Huss High School (abbreviated HHHS) is a public high school in the Gaston County Schools school district located in Gastonia, NC. It is the oldest existing high school building still used as a high school in Gaston County. Its attendance range covers southwestern Gaston County and includes the western portions of the City of Gastonia as well as the communities of South Gastonia and Crowders Mountain, and the surrounding rural area. The current principal is Ms. Kelsey Elms.
History Hunter Huss was opened in 1962 and was named for W. Hunter Huss (1902–1971), a Cherryville native and Superintendent of Gaston County Schools from 1937 to 1968. The cost of construction at the time was $2.1 million, or $ in current value. The school opened to 818 ninth and tenth grade students on August 29, 1962. Two years later, it had 1,554 in grades ninth through twelfth.
Academics Hunter Huss High School's Career Academy is part of Gaston County Schools' "School Choice Programs." The Career Academy prepares students for careers "in business, trade and industry, food service, public safety, health science, and technology." Previously, Hunter Huss was an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School.
Facilities The campus occupies 52 acres of land and has 178,000 square feet of indoor space. The auditorium can seat 1,465 and the gymnasium has a capacity for over 1,800. The school completed an $11 million renovation project in 2012. The renovations included a new heating and air conditioning system, replacement of some original windows, new plumbing throughout the entire building and extensive masonry work. Updated science labs, a new media center, wiring for wireless internet, and a television and broadcasting studio were also highlights of the improvements.
Athletics Hunter Huss High School's team name is the Huskies. The school colors are Columbia blue, white, and navy. Sports offered at Hunter Huss include:Huss (Gastonia, NC) High School Sports. MaxPreps.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
Baseball Basketball Cross Country Football Golf Soccer Softball Swimming Tennis Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field Volleyball Wrestling
Achievements The Hunter Huss Chess Team won the 2004–2005, 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 3A Chess State Championships. The Boy's Basketball Team have won NCHSAA state championships in 1977 (4A), 1985 (4A), 2011 (3A), and 2026 (5A).Mens-Basketball-Champs-and-MVPs. NCHSAA. Retrieved September 6, 2024. The Boy's Golf Team won the NCHSAA All Classes state championship in 1969.Mens-Golf-State-Champions-And-Records. NCHSAA. Retrieved September 6, 2024. The Wrestling Team won the NCHSAA 2A state tournament championship in 2015.Individual-Wrestling-State-Tournament-History-through-2024. NCHSAA. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
Notable alumni Rufus Crawford, NFL and CFL playerRufus Crawford Stats. Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved September 30, 2019. Fred Durst, singer-songwriter best known as the frontman of the rap rock band Limp BizkitFlorida Times=Union: September 22, 1999-No. 1 son by Bryan Mullen Eric Augustus "Sleepy" Floyd, NBA player Kathy Harrington, member of North Carolina SenateKathy Harrington for NC Senate. Retrieved August 27, 2020. Sylvia Hatchell, women's basketball coach, member of the Basketball Hall of Fame(January 20, 2015). Hunter Huss Court Dedicated And Named For Sylvia Hatchell. NCHSAA. Retrieved April 19, 2025. Lamar Holmes, NFL and CFL playerLamar Holmes Stats. Pro-Football-Reference. Retrieved September 30, 2019. Maria Howell, actress and singerMaria Howell performing at local schools. Gaston Gazette. Retrieved August 27, 2020. Billy James, co-host of John Boy and Billy radio Evan Karagias, professional wrestler and actorEvan Karagias - IMDb. Retrieved September 30, 2019. Kris Lang, professional basketball player Jon Robinson, radio and television personalityA trip down memory lane as the ACC basketball tournament comes to Charlotte. shelbystar.com. Retrieved August 27, 2020. Hassan Whiteside, NBA player Bubba Wilson, NBA playerBubba Watson Stats. Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
References
"The Fabulous Years"(2007–2008 Hunter Huss Yearbook)
External links Official Huss High School website