A spectacular steal and dunk
Cody Thomason, a senior guard for the Fruita Monument Wildcats, has won the Play of the Week award for the second time this season, thanks to his spectacular steal and dunk against the Durango Demons on Friday night.
The play happened in the third quarter, when the Wildcats were leading by 12 points. When the Demons looked to bring the ball up court, Thomason collected the steal and soared to the hoop for a huge two-handed jam. The crowd erupted in cheers as Thomason celebrated his slam.
The play was captured on video by viewer Clint Reed, who submitted it to the KJCT8 website. The video received the most votes among the four nominees for the Play of the Week award.
A versatile and talented player
Thomason is not only a star on the basketball court, but also on the football field. He was the starting quarterback for the Wildcats, who reached the 5A state quarterfinals last fall. He threw for over 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns, while also rushing for over 600 yards and 10 touchdowns.
On the hardwood, Thomason is averaging 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game. He is the leader and captain of the Wildcats, who are 11-2 overall and 4-0 in the Southwestern League. He is also a 4.0 student and a member of the National Honor Society.
Thomason has received several offers to play college football, but he has not made a decision yet. He said he is focused on finishing his senior year strong and helping his team win a state championship.
A humble and hardworking athlete
Thomason said he was honored and grateful to win the Play of the Week award for the second time, but he also credited his teammates and coaches for his success.
“I couldn’t do it without them. They set me up for great opportunities and they always have my back. We have a great chemistry and a great bond. We work hard every day and we push each other to get better,” he said.
He also thanked the fans and the community for their support and their votes.
“It means a lot to me. It shows that they appreciate what we do and they enjoy watching us play. We try to put on a show for them and make them proud. We have the best fans in the state,” he said.
Thomason said he hopes to continue to make big plays and lead his team to more victories. He said he loves playing basketball and football, and he wants to make the most of his senior year.
“I just want to have fun and enjoy every moment. It’s been a great ride and I don’t want it to end. I want to leave a legacy and make history with my brothers,” he said.
