Avery Huddleston helps Civic Memorial remain unbeaten with MVC win over rival Highland

HIGHLAND, Ill. — Avery Huddleston doesn't need to look too far for motivation.

The Civic Memorial senior winger simply glances at the front of her left arm where she sports a tattoo with the words, "Get out of your own head."

"Just a reminder," she said.

Huddleston used that little saying to perfection on Monday night.

The sparkplug pumped in a game-high 13 points to lead the Eagles to a 43-30 win over Highland in a battle of Mississippi Valley Conference powers in eastern Highland.

Civic Memorial remained unbeaten at 12-0 and is off to its best start since the 2021-2022 team won its initial 13 games on the way to the first final four appearance in program history.

This group also possess state tournament dreams, thanks to a lightning-quick start to the campaign.

"It might be a little early to talk that way," Civic Memorial first-year head coach Jeff Durbin said. "But, I like what I'm seeing so far."

So does Huddleston, who Durbin says can do "a little bit of everything."

Huddleston's main sport is soccer. She tallied 15 goals for Eagles and led the MVC in assists with 19 last spring.

Yet basketball serves as a close second for Huddleston, who is enjoying her final basketball season.

"There's a lot of good chemistry here," Huddleston said.

Huddleston has four tattoos including one that matches up with her mother Danielle, a sun where mom possesses a moon.

Plus, Avery has a cross on her right arm. 

Those little reminders came in handy during Monday's intensity-filled contest.

"I look at them when I need to," Avery said.

Huddleston helped the Eagles bolt out to an 8-0 lead after just 2 minutes and 23 seconds. They never looked back in posting the gate-to-wire win.

Junior Isabelle Edwards added 10 points to a balanced attack. Marlee Durbin chipped in with nine points.

Civic Memorial, 5-0 in league play, used a staunch man-to-man defense and a free flowing motion offense to break a four-game losing streak to Highland (5-9, 2-3).

"These girls were up for this game," Jeff Durbin said. "Any time you come to Highland, nothing is going to be easy.

Our girls were ready and they worked hard."

Civic Memorial used a quick start to each half to take command. After scoring the first eight points of the night, the Bethalto-based school tallied 12 of the first 16 points of the second half.

"Our energy together helped all of us get ready," Edwards said. "We wanted to get out in front, keep the lead and make sure we were talking and boxing out on defense."

The Eagles did just that in a methodical, surgical performance that kept their record flawless.

Jeff Durbin knew he had the making of a strong team back in November.

But he is still surprised by the start.

"I thought maybe 10-2 (record) at best," Jeff Durbin said. "Right now, I'm absolutely thrilled. But there's still so much more we need to work on."

Huddleston set the early tone with a 3-point bomb just 21 seconds into the contest. Marlee Durbin followed with a triple of her own before Edwards recorded a steal and layup to end the blitz.

Highland climbed to within 17-14 before the Eagles closed the half on a 6-0 run. Gracie Miller hit a huge 3-pointer and Marlee Durbin added a driving layup. Marley Ogden scored on a spinning drive down the lane and Miller added another triple to stretch the lead to 23-14.

Civic Memorial put the game away with an 8-2 run in the third period. Edwards had two baskets to trigger the spurt.

"I just felt like we were ready and wanted this right from the the start," Edwards said.

Highland, which has lost five in a row, stayed within striking distance at times in the first half behind Jordan Bircher, who finished with 10 points.

"You've got to credit CM," Highland coach Clint Hamilton said. "They had better energy than we did for 32 minutes."