Danny Heater

Danny Heater
Personal information
Born1942 (age 82–83)
West Virginia
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Career information
High schoolBurnsville
(Braxton County, West Virginia)
PositionForward
Career highlights and awards

Danny Heater (born 1942) is an American record holder for the highest single game scoring performance by one player in high school basketball history worldwide.[1]

On January 26, 1960,[2] Heater, 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.[1][3] In the 32-minute game, Heater made 53 of 70 field goal attempts and 29 of 41 free throws.[3] While Heater is best remembered for the controversial[4] scoring exploit, he also grabbed 32 rebounds and dished out 7 assists in the game.[3]

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.[5] 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.[5][6] The record is certified by National Federation of State High School Associations and is the highest total ever on a high school or professional level in the United States.[5] It is 35 more points than Wilt Chamberlain's NBA record of 100, but three fewer points than Jack Taylor's 138 of NCAA Division III Grinnell College.[5]

Danny Heater is now retired and lives in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia with his wife.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b West Virginia Archives & History – Danny Heater Sets National Scoring Record. "It is recognized as a national (and world) high school scoring record." Retrieved on July 1, 2008.
  2. ^ Brainy History: January 26, 1960 in History. Retrieved on July 1, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c Men’s High School Basketball Single-Game Scoring Records. Retrieved on July 1, 2008.
  4. ^ a b HoopsUSA.com – Critical Heat Isn't Surprising to Heater. Retrieved on July 1, 2008.
  5. ^ a b c d HoopsUSA.com – Basketball Record to Be Recorded by Film Projects. "Before the game, he told us that he'd never asked us to do this before and would never ask us to do it again," Heater said. "I didn't want to do it. I told him no. "But as we were warming up, all the guys were coming up to me and telling me, 'Do it, do it.'" Retrieved on July 1, 2008.
  6. ^ West Virginia Online – Danny Heater Archived 2008-05-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on July 1, 2008.