AURORA | David Thornton took plenty of time, but the high-flyer finally found a place to land.
Just shortly after he made his choice, the Cherokee Trail senior basketball star officially signed a National Athletic Letter of Intent with Western Wyoming Community College at a larger ceremony in the school gymnasium Wednesday afternoon, putting to an end a long process.
The 6-foot-4 Thornton was one of the shining stars during Aurora’s epic 2015-16 boys basketball season, as he led all city scorers with an average of 19.8 points per game and finished second behind Overland star De’Ron Davis in rebounding with 8.5 per contest. He said he ultimately chose Western Wyoming in Rock Springs, Wyoming, over Otero Junior College.
“It felt like a natural fit,” Thornton said of Western Wyoming, a program that finished 21-9 in the 2015-16 season with a roster heavy on international flavor.
“I’ll have go in and earn my spot, but they like my versatility,” he added. “I’m ready to play with the guys they have coming back.”
The Mustangs are likely thrilled to secure a player of Thornton’s caliber and especially one coming off a fantastic senior season. His accolades were plentiful, as he finished his career as Cherokee Trail’s all-time leading scorer and became the program’s first two-time All-Centennial League first team selection.
Thornton appeared in the inaugural A-Town All-Star Game in March and also gained selection to The Show all-star game, which was played on April 29 at Colorado Christian University.
Thornton currently leads the state of Colorado in the high jump this season with a top jump of 7 feet and could go higher in a couple of weeks at the 5A state track meet, saying he believes is capable of hitting 7-4 and taking a shot at the state record. He hoped to be able to do both sports at the same college, but he won’t have that chance — at least initially — at Western Wyoming.
“If I want to get back in track, all I have to do is jump and I’m pretty good that,” Thornton said with a smile.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel