Monticello — Derrick Peyton, a senior basketball player at Monticello High School,

was recognized by Superintendent Donnie Robison and the Monticello Board of

Education at their regular March meeting. Mr. Robison and the Board of

Education recognized Derrick for his outstanding athletic achievement as a

member of the Monticello Trojans basketball team.

On February 17, during a home basketball game against Berea, Derrick

broke the Trojan career scoring record and became the all-time leading

scorer for the Monticello Trojans. The previous record of 2,120 points was

set by Shane Blevins in 1987 and had stood for the past 23 years. Derrick

Peyton finished his Trojan basketball career with a total of 2,140 points.

"Monticello School is extremely proud of Derrick and his outstanding

athletic achievements," stated Superintendent Donnie Robison. "He has

demonstrated hard work and dedication to the Monticello Trojan basketball

program, and he has shown that hard work can pay off on the basketball

court."

Head Coach Trevis Upchurch also offered his congratulations to Derrick

for this milestone. "It has been a pleasure to coach Derrick," noted

Upchurch, "and I am proud of him and his accomplishment."

Derrick stated that he had set this goal for himself early in his

basketball career. "When I started playing on the varsity basketball team in

the 8th grade, I looked at the scoring record on the wall of the gym and

thought that it would be nice if I could break it. I wasn't focused on

breaking it during high school, but it always thought it would be nice if I

could. Every ball player dreams of achieving something like that, and I was

just lucky enough to be able to accomplish it."

On his way to becoming the all-time leading scorer for the Monticello

Trojans, Derrick became the fourth player in Trojan basketball history to

score more than 2,000 points. In addition to Peyton's 2,140 points, Shane

Blevins (1987) scored 2,120, Frank Phillips (2001) scored 2,032, and Gene

Pendleton (1960) scored 2,010.

Peyton was recognized at the game when he broke the record, and the

Board of Education presented him with a plaque to commemorate his

accomplishment at their monthly meeting. They congratulated him for his

outstanding athletic career and expressed best wishes for his future.