Danny Heater
Encyclopedia
Danny Heater is an American record holder for the highest single game scoring performance by one player in high school basketball
history worldwide.
On January 26, 1960, a then-17 year old senior at Burnsville High School in Braxton County, West Virginia
scored 135 points against Widen High School of Clay County
. In the 32-minute game, Heater made 53 of 70 field goal
attempts and 29 of 41 free throw
s. While Danny is best remembered for the controversial scoring exploit, he also grabbed 32 rebounds
and dished out 7 assists
in the game.
Heater was encouraged before the historic game, by teammates and coach alike, to try to break the state of West Virginia all-time record of 74 points. By halftime, Heater had scored 50 points, and capped off his 85-point second half with his final 55 points in the last 10 minutes alone.
The record is certified by National Federation of State High School Associations
and is the highest total ever on a high school, collegiate or professional level in the United States. It is 35 more points than Wilt Chamberlain's NBA record of 100
, and 22 more than Bevo Francis
' 113 of Division II Rio Grande College
.
Danny Heater is now retired and lives in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia
with his wife.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
history worldwide.
On January 26, 1960, a then-17 year old senior at Burnsville High School in Braxton County, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
scored 135 points against Widen High School of Clay County
Clay County, West Virginia
-External links:***...
. In the 32-minute game, Heater made 53 of 70 field goal
Field goal (basketball)
In basketball, the term field goal refers to a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the distance of the attempt from the basket. "Field Goal" is the official terminology used by the National Basketball Association in their rule book,...
attempts and 29 of 41 free throw
Free throw
In basketball, free throws or foul shots are unopposed attempts to score points from a restricted area on the court , and are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team...
s. While Danny is best remembered for the controversial scoring exploit, he also grabbed 32 rebounds
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
and dished out 7 assists
Assist (basketball)
In basketball, an assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score by field goal, meaning that he or she was "assisting" in the basket. There is some judgment involved in deciding whether a passer should be credited with an assist...
in the game.
Heater was encouraged before the historic game, by teammates and coach alike, to try to break the state of West Virginia all-time record of 74 points. By halftime, Heater had scored 50 points, and capped off his 85-point second half with his final 55 points in the last 10 minutes alone.
The record is certified by National Federation of State High School Associations
National Federation of State High School Associations
The National Federation of State High School Associations is the body that writes the rules of competition for most high school sports and activities in the United States. Most high schools, whether public or private, belong to their state's high school association; in turn, each state association...
and is the highest total ever on a high school, collegiate or professional level in the United States. It is 35 more points than Wilt Chamberlain's NBA record of 100
Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game
Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game, named by the National Basketball Association as one of its greatest games, was a regular-season game between the Philadelphia Warriors and the New York Knicks held on March 2, 1962, at Hersheypark Arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania.The Warriors won the game 169-147,...
, and 22 more than Bevo Francis
Bevo Francis
Bevo Francis was an American basketball player. He became one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball history during his career at Rio Grande College, topping over 100 points on two occasions...
' 113 of Division II Rio Grande College
University of Rio Grande
The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College are twin colleges in Rio Grande, Ohio, United States....
.
Danny Heater is now retired and lives in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia
Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia
The Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia is a narrow stretch of territory in the northeast of the state, bordering Maryland and Virginia, United States. The Eastern Panhandle Board of Realtors and other local civic organizations consider only the three Easternmost counties, Jefferson, Berkeley and...
with his wife.
External links
- Danny Heater's 135-Point Game Still a Record After 50 Years. The State Journal. January 17, 2010.