DENVER | David Thornton hopes to someday play on a National Basketball Association court as a professional and he looked like he’s on the right track on the home court of the Denver Nuggets Monday afternoon.
The Cherokee Trail senior forward poured in a game-high 24 points and helped the Cougars get rolling on their way to a 78-38 non-league victory over Brighton at the Pepsi Center.
Thornton scored 12 points in each half on his way to his eight game of 20 or more points, junior Jaizec Lottie — who was selected as the game’s Most Valuable Player and was honored during the Nuggets’ game against the Toronto Raptors — chipped in with 19 points and senior Ronnie Barfield added 10 as Cherokee Trail improved to 12-5 overall.
Deon Barfield beat the final buzzer with a breakaway dunk to put the finish touches on another win for coach Morgan Gregory’s Cougars, who came in off an 89-66 Centennial League victory at Cherry Creek.
Cherokee Trail returns to league play at Smoky Hill on Wednesday.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
CHEROKEE TRAIL 78, BRIGHTON 38
Score by quarters:
Cher. Trail 21 11 19 27 — 78
Brighton 8 12 9 9 — 38
CHEROKEE TRAIL (78)
Jaizec Lottie 7 5-9 19, KJ Sapp 0 0-0 0, David Thornton 9 5-6, 24, Ronnie Barfield 4 2-2 10, Ian Kelly 4 0-1 8, Deon Barfield 2 0-0 4, Tyson Rodgers 1 0-0 3, Amir Wynn 1 1-2 3, Stefon Rogers 2 1-1 5, Dan Turner 1 0-0 2. Totals 31 14-21 78.
BRIGHTON (38)
Jacob Fitzgerald 5 1-2 12, Landon Verbeek 0 2-2 2, Braden Hancock 2 0-1 4, Sam Kullberg 0 1-1 1, Trevor Kullberg 0 2-2 2, Cameron Fushimi 2 6-6 10, Matt Settergren 1 1-2 3, Seth Potestio 1 0-0 2, Cortez 1 0-0 2. Totals 12 13-16 38.
3-point field goals — Cherokee Trail (2): Tyson Rodgers, David Thornton; Brighton: Jacob Fitzgerald. Total fouls — Cherokee Trail 11, Brighton 13. Fouled out — None. Technical fouls — Cherokee Trail: Deon Barfield.
