SENIOR PAYTON JONES :
Joins the Exclusive 1,000 Points Club
ATHLETICS
Jones cuts the net at the 2020 Class AA South Regional Championship Game .
March 9 , 2021 turned out to be a memorable night for boys basketball player Payton Jones , as the senior point guard scored his 1,000th career point as a member of the Trojans basketball team . Jones joins an exclusive club as just the third overall Thornton Academy basketball player to achieve the honor .
“ I take great pride in reaching 1,000 points at TA because I ’ ve always wanted to be a part of Thornton history ,” Jones said . “ Being one of three , I am in very special company and I ’ m glad that I was able to accomplish that .”
“ Payton accomplishing 1,000 points is impressive on a couple levels ,” varsity head coach Bob Davies said . “ Only one other player has ever done it at Thornton Academy for boys and Payton was only allowed 10 games in his senior year . Having a player like Payton in the program has made other players better . It also gives younger players something to strive for .”
Jones needed just 16 points entering his final two games of a shortened senior season due to COVID-19 restrictions . On the road against Gorham , Jones streaked into the lane for a driving layup in the third quarter which put him over the top . The game was stopped shortly for recognition of the achievement , and Jones went on to finish the game with 28 points in a TA win . Jones was also recognized at his last home game two days later with the game ball .
18 Story by Jeff Christenbury · Photos courtesy of Thornton Academy