This is a story about three boys that grew up together in St. Albans.
They'd paint bases in the street and play Wiffle Ball. Or they'd play on the same Little League all-star teams.
A couple would go on to share an apartment. They'd stand for one another during wedding ceremonies. They'd go hunting or to WVU football or basketball games together.
But, um, not this coming weekend.
That's because this weekend something different, unique is happening. The pause button is being hit.
Because, you see, this weekend those three will be taking different sides in the Class AAA portion of this week's state baseball tournament at Charleston's Appalachian Power Park.
In one corner, there'll be St. Albans coach Rick Whitman.
In another, there'll be Hurricane coach Brian Sutphin.
And in town as an assistant Washington High principal will be Steve Morris.
All three teams are in the state semifinals, and all three gentlemen are friends and graduates of SAHS classes of 1991 and 1992.
"Those guys are friends for life, no question," said Sutphin, whose top-seeded Redskins will play fourth-seeded Morgantown at 10 a.m. Friday.
"Pretty neat," said Whitman, whose second-seeded Red Dragons play third-seeded Washington at 12:45 p.m. Friday.
Indeed, cakes don't have as many layers as these guys.
"Rick and I first met when we were 4 or 5 years old," Morris said from Charles Town in Jefferson County. "My family moved right across the street from the Whitmans."
Yes, that would be the home of Dick Whitman, the legendary Kanawha Valley football coach of DuPont - including Randy Moss and Bobbie Howard - and Riverside who passed away in 2015.
"I remember we'd play Wiffle Ball or sit on the front porch for hours," Rick Whitman said of Morris. "We'd go on vacations together as kids."
Then Sutphin got into the mix via all-star baseball. And he and, especially, Whitman have been close ever since.
"Great family," Sutphin said. "You always wanted Dick Whitman to think highly of you. If he gave his approval, you knew you were doing something right. It was awesome growing up with those guys.
"I remember we'd go to the DuPont games Friday night and then go to their camp for the weekend. Great memories of competing together and goofing around."
Whitman eventually was in the weddings of Sutphin and Morris. Sutphin and Morris eventually were in Whitman's wedding. Morris then broke away to coach and teach in Virginia.
"Steve was a little smarter than me and Brian," Whitman chuckled. "He figured he'd make money in administration while me and Brian still coach."
Together they've coached. And apart. And together. And against each other.
"I was the head [baseball] coach at Nitro," Sutphin said. "Rick was an assistant for me there in 1997. Then, in 1998, Rick took over at St. Albans.
"Well, for a while, we coached against each other - yet lived together."
You read correctly. While rivals, Whitman and Sutphin shared space in a St. Albans townhouse near Big Bend.
"Brian and I pretty much talk every day," Whitman said. "And what's funny is we started this season with a scrimmage against [Hurricane]. It would be pretty neat to come full circle [in the state championship]."
Sutphin has already come full circle - thanks, in part, to Whitman. After coaching Nitro, Sutphin left to assist at WVU in 2000. He then took the head coaching job at Alderson-Broaddus from 2001 to 2003.
"After that, I moved back [to the Kanawha Valley] but didn't know if I wanted to stick to coaching," Sutphin said. "Well, I called Rick and asked if he'd like some help and he said, 'Sure.' So I was an assistant at St. Albans for five years before taking over at Hurricane [in 2009]."
Sutphin's son Reece, he remembers, was born on May 17, 2004 - the day of the sectionals leading up to the Red Dragons' last appearance in the state tournament.
So you see, the Stanley Cup trophy doesn't have as many layers as these friends. They, Jeff Whitman, Matt Hindman, Scott LeRose and others go to a farm in Richie County to hunt, fish and just gather. The farm was bought to bring family and friends together by the Whitmans, Hindmans and LeRoses.
And so far it's served the families well. The only question now for some is, which team do you root for Friday?
"My son just asked me that," Morris said. "I told him it's a Catch-22 for me. I'll feel bad for the losers, but good for the winners. I want Washington to win, but it's a tough question."
"It should be a good reunion," Whitman said. "I'm just glad one of us will be happy - hopefully."
It will certainly make for good conversation at the next get-together.
Contact Mitch Vingle at 304-348-4827 or mitchvingle@wvgazettemail.com. Follow him on Twitter @MitchVingle.