By Mark Sosna

“My sister spread the letters out all over the table. There were some schools I’d never even heard of,” Huber said. “It really was overwhelming. It’s nice that all these schools want you, but it was almost embarrassing.”

That tells you all you need to know about the St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School senior. She has the talent, work ethic and grades to attract all that interest, and, at the same time, the humility to find all the overtures embarrassing. The recruiting process continued for some time, as Huber and her parents pared the list to 35 and then to 12. She spoke to a few different college coaches each night for several weeks, all of whom were trying to sell her on their athletic program, campus and academics. Eventually, Huber narrowed her choices to her own “Final Four” - Rutgers, Louisville, California Berkeley and Maryland. She chose Rutgers, where she will play for legendary coach C. Vivian Stringer beginning this fall.

“There was a special feeling I had when I was there,” Huber said. “The campus was great and coach Stringer and the players were amazing. Academics were also a big part and Rutgers just seemed like the right fit for me.”

Choosing a college was not the first big decision Huber had to make in her young life. After playing three years (grades 7-9) of varsity basketball at North Babylon High School and amassing 570 points, Huber transferred to SJB for her final three years. “It was a mix of a lot of things,” Huber said of the decision to leave one top Long Island program for another. “My parents thought it would be a good move for me and it’s worked out well.”

It certainly has. Huber led her new team to back-to-back State Catholic League championships her first two years. Although her senior campaign didn’t end with a title, she still posted averages of 14.9 points, 15.1 rebounds, 3.7 blocks and 3.5 steals in her final year. In six years of varsity ball, Huber totaled 1,730 points.

“She really does it all,” SJB coach Ted Oberg said. “She is internally driven and wants to get better all the time, but is ultimately concerned with the team aspect and making the other girls better. Even though she’s 6-4, and every team we play is focused on trying to stop her, she doesn’t feel like she has to always be the star.”

Versatility is the strength of Huber’s game, according to Oberg. “She can play with her back to the basket or step out and hit three-pointers,” he said. “She uses both hands well. She has a nice jump hook. I think she’ll present match-up problems in college.”

There are parts of her game Huber would like to improve. “My perimeter defense has to get better,” she said, “and I have to get stronger. I’m also working on my ball handling.”

Huber, who was 5-9 in sixth grade and 6-1 entering ninth grade, is considered exceptionally athletic for a player her size. She’s participated in just about every sport invented over the years - volleyball, softball, soccer, gymnastics, lacrosse (for one week) and even football. “That was only during recess,” she said. “My mom wouldn’t let me play in a football league.” Good call, mom.

Huber has always been very aware of her height; it runs in the family. Her father is 6-4, her mom is 6-1, her 19-year-old brother is 6-5 and her 21-year-old sister stands 5-8. “I knew I’d be tall when I was in kindergarten,” she said. “I remember when they took the class photo, they wouldn’t let me in the front row with the girls. I had to stand in the back with the boys.” She did experience some of the pitfalls of being the tall girl - occasional teasing, soccer players trying to take her out at the knees - but she never dwelled on it. “I love being tall,” Huber said. “I didn’t let people get to me. That’s not the way I am.”

Whether discussing basketball, her future or her life off the court, Huber possesses an engaging personality with an easygoing manner. Like most 18-year-old girls, she enjoys spending time with friends and is never without her hip-hop-loaded iPod. She volunteers at a soup kitchen and coaches youngsters at a local church. She relishes being a role model. “I know I’m always being watched,” she said. “I try to do everything the right way. That’s how I was raised. I just want to set a good example. I’ve had kids tell me they like the way I play and that feels really nice.”

In her humble manner, Huber, an honor-roll student who intends to major in communications at Rutgers, deflects much of the credit for her success to others. “My family has been so supportive,“ she said. “They’ve done more than enough. I couldn’t have gotten to this point without them and my coaches and teammates.”