Babes of the Wood who won 12 of 17 games during the season and a place in the National Invitation Tournament at New York. Left to right- Bob Carroll of Wheeling, Jack Dial of Huntington, Jim Walthall of Princeton, Leland Byrd of Matoaka, Dave Wilson of Huntington.
One of the finest players to ever play at WVU, Leland Byrd has achieved a great deal during his outstanding career as both a basketball player and athletic administrator. On the hardwood, the "Hammer" was praised by many as one of the finest left-handed cagers ever. During his four years as a regular while playing for Lee Patton, the Mountaineers posted records of 12-6, 24-3, 19-3 and 17-3 and three straight NIT berths. The 1945-46 team owns the distinction of being the first Mountaineer team to reach the 20-win mark.
