Radnor’s Charlie Thornton is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week (Feb. 13-19)

The 6-foot-5 senior forward, a second team All-Main Line boys basketball selection last winter, has been on fire for the Raptors the past few weeks, averaging 14 ppg, 4 rpg and 2 spg as Radnor compiled a 22-0 regular season record. He scored 26 points in the Central League championship final as Radnor defeated Lower Merion, 60-46, Feb. 13. He leads the Raptors in deflection and blocks and was named MVP of the KSA Orlando (Fla.) Tournament earlier this season. Radnor boys basketball head coach Jamie Chadwin said, “Charlie is the consummate multi-tool player.  He makes us better shooting the ball, as a rebounder, with his court vision, and defense.  Most impressive though, is that Charlie demands a lot from himself and his teammates and is never above doing what needs to be done to pull our team closer together.  He is special and I feel lucky to get to coach him.”

 

Q: What do you think has been the key to your offensive production?

 

A: I have been trying to be more aggressive getting to the rim, my teammates have also done a great job, not only in the past few weeks but all season, of finding me in spots where I’m comfortable.

 

Q: How do you see your leadership role as a senior starter?

 

A: I take it very seriously – when I was a freshman, we had leaders that I really looked up to. I try to be vocal on defense as well as keep an emphasis on Coach Mike’s (Radnor assistant coach Mike Boland) “next play” mentality.

 

Q: What do you think is the biggest key(s) to playing defense? What part of your game have you worked on the most recently?

 

A: Communication and having a good scout. I enjoy watching film, which makes it easy to prepare myself for the upcoming game. This team takes pride in our defense and with everyone focus it makes it so much easier. Personally, I have tried to work on my on-ball defense, for me that will be big at the next level.

 

Q: What was your favorite memory of the KSA Orlando Tournament during Christmas break?

 

A: Along with the memories made off the court, going to Harry Potter World was pretty cool. It looked just like the movies and we all got butter beer and cast a few spells.

 

Q: Tell us a little about your start in basketball. Have you always been a forward? Who have been your top basketball mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?

 

A: I started playing basketball competitively around 4th grade. I was bigger than other kids, so I played the 5. I hated it and wanted to shoot the ball. Thanks to people like Austin Carrol (AceGrind) and Coach Jason Fisher, who taught me how to play, I felt more comfortable shooting the ball. My coaches at Radnor, especially Josh Leopold, spent countless time with me making me into the player I am today. Without the support of them and my parents I wouldn’t be where I’m at today.

 

Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 4 for Radnor basketball – is there a reason you chose that number?

 

A: Up until 7th grade I wore No. 2 in everything which happened to be the same number that Danny Rosenblum wore at the time. The day we got our jersey we played one on one for it, and he beat me. So, I had to find a new number which happened to be No. 4. I fell in love with No. 4 and I have kept it since.

 

Q: What is your favorite academic course at Radnor? What do you think you might like to major in for college?

 

A: I really enjoy my sociology class. I want to continue with sociology or something similar in college.

 

Fun facts – Charlie Thornton

Favorite book: Basketball Junkie.

Favorite author: Kwame Alexander.

Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds.

Favorite movie: The Mighty Ducks.

Favorite athlete: Lebron James.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Yeah! (Usher)

Favorite team: Cleveland Cavs.

Favorite place to visit: Florida.

Favorite pre-game meal: Mac and cheese and chicken strips from Wawa.

Person I most admire, and why: “I admire my younger sister Maya. She was born with Down Syndrome and was told that she would struggle to do everything that most children do naturally. Maya has worked her butt off in school and in life and has never stopped smiling, she is loving and cares for everyone. Maya shows me that there can be something positive out of every tough situation.”

Family members: parents DJ and Yvette, sister Maya.

 

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first by nominated by his coach.)