Who Scored the Most Points in High School Basketball History?
It’s not uncommon to hear stories of incredible basketball feats in high school and even college basketball. One of the most impressive records, however, is the highest single-game scoring performance in high school basketball history. The record belongs to legendary high school basketball player, Bevo Francis.
Who is Bevo Francis?
Bevo Francis was an Ohio high school basketball player who achieved legendary status in the 1950s. He played for the small-town school of Rio Grande College, where he set numerous scoring and rebounding records. He also led the team to two consecutive NAIA national championships in 1953 and 1954.
At 6-foot-9 and 230 pounds, Francis was a dominant force on the court. His ability to score from anywhere on the court made him a fan favorite. He was named an All-American in 1953 and 1954 and was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1991.
What Was the Record-Setting Game?
On February 2, 1954, Francis set the record for the most points scored in a single high school game. He scored an incredible 113 points against Hillsboro High School, breaking the previous record of 105 points set by Wilbur “Fats” Henry in 1948.
In addition to setting the single-game scoring record, Francis also set the single-game rebounding record with 41 rebounds. He also recorded six assists and six steals in the game.
How Was Francis Able to Score So Many Points?
Francis was a dominant force on the court and was able to score from all areas of the court. He was a prolific shooter from long range, but his most impressive ability was his ability to get to the basket and draw fouls. He was able to draw fouls on opponents and get to the free-throw line, where he was an excellent shooter.
Francis was also a master of ball-handling and was able to drive past defenders to get to the basket. His size and strength also allowed him to overpower defenders and get easy shots near the rim.
What Was the Aftermath of the Record-Setting Performance?
The record-setting performance was widely celebrated in the basketball world. Newspapers across the country ran stories about Francis and his remarkable feat. He received invitations to appear on national television programs and even appeared in Sports Illustrated.
The record-setting performance also helped propel Francis to national stardom and made him a household name. He was invited to the NBA draft and was selected by the Boston Celtics in the third round. Although he never played in the NBA, his record-setting performance and his status as a basketball legend live on.
What Other Records Does Francis Hold?
In addition to holding the single-game scoring record, Francis also holds the record for most points scored in a single season. He averaged 50.1 points per game during the 1953-1954 season, setting the record for most points scored in a season with 2,464 points.
Francis also holds the record for most points scored in a single game in college basketball. On February 2, 1953, he scored 116 points against Ashland Junior College, breaking the previous record of 113 points set by Bob Kurland in 1946.
Who Are Some of the Other Notable High School Scorers?
Although Bevo Francis holds the record for most points scored in a single game, there have been several other notable high school scorers who have come close to breaking the record. Here are some of the most notable scorers:
- Lester Hudson: In 2002, Hudson scored 100 points in a single game for Trezevant High School in Tennessee.
- Danny Heater: In 1960, Heater scored 100 points in a single game for Burnsville High School in West Virginia.
- Michael Taylor: In 2012, Taylor scored 97 points in a single game for Centralia High School in Missouri.
- Corey Hightower: In 2019, Hightower scored 92 points in a single game for Westside High School in Georgia.
What Other Records Does Bevo Francis Hold?
In addition to setting the single-game scoring record, Francis also holds the record for most points scored in a single season. He averaged 50.1 points per game during the 1953-1954 season, setting the record for most points scored in a season with 2,464 points.
Francis also holds the record for most points scored in a single game in college basketball. On February 2, 1953, he scored 116 points against Ashland Junior College, breaking the previous record of 113 points set by Bob Kurland in 1946.
What Are Some Other Notable High School Career Scorers?
In addition to Bevo Francis, there have been several other notable high school career scorers who have come close to Francis’ career scoring record. Here are some of the most notable scorers:
- Lester Hudson: Hudson scored 4,087 points in his four-year high school career at Trezevant High School in Tennessee.
- Danny Heater: Heater scored 4,045 points in his three-year high school career at Burnsville High School in West Virginia.
- Corey Hightower: Hightower scored 4,017 points in his four-year high school career at Westside High School in Georgia.
- Michael Taylor: Taylor scored 3,938 points in his four-year high school career at Centralia High School in Missouri.
What Is Bevo Francis Doing Now?
Bevo Francis is now 85 years old and still lives in Ohio. Although he no longer plays basketball, he remains a popular figure in the sports world. He is often invited to basketball events and is a regular guest at Rio Grande College basketball games.
Francis is also a popular figure on social media, with thousands of fans following him on Twitter. He has become an advocate for small-town basketball and continues to share his passion and knowledge of the game with fans all over the world.
Conclusion
Bevo Francis is a legendary high school basketball player who holds the record for most points scored in a single game. On February 2, 1954, he scored 113 points against Hillsboro High School, setting the record that still stands today.
In addition to setting the single-game scoring record, Francis also holds the record for most points scored in a single season and most points scored in a single game in college basketball. He is a beloved figure in the sports world and continues to be a popular figure on social media.