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.