West Virginia
Became a state: June 20, 1863 (35th state)
Area: 24,244 sq mi (ranked 41st in size)
Population: 1,808,344 (ranked 37th in population)
Capital: Charleston
Largest City: Charleston (population 50,846)
Bordering States: Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia
Origin of state name: West Virginia was named for Queen Elizabeth I of England (she was known as the Virgin Queen). Sir Walter Raleigh may have suggested this name around 1584.
State Nickname: The Mountain State
State Bird: Cardinal
State Flower: Rhododendrum
State Tree: Sugar Maple
Trivia: 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.
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 throws. 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 lives in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia with his wife.
Abbreviation: WV
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