Mifflin’s Payne finds shooting touch
Sydney Payne was one of the unsung contributors during Gov. Mifflin’s run to the county championship 10 months ago.
The 6-0 senior provided almost everything: defense, rebounding, toughness. All that was missing was scoring.
She has added that ingredient this season.
Payne is averaging 12.3 points and has helped Mifflin’s girls basketball team race to a 6-0 start for the second consecutive year. She scored 15 to lift Mifflin over Exeter 43-37 at Reiffton Tuesday night.
Watching Payne at the offensive end was like watching a different player. She was more assertive, quicker to take the open shot.
“I think we all realize we have to step up and score points,” Payne said. “There’s going to be a new leading scorer every game for us. We have to try to rack up as many points as we can because we don’t know how everybody else’s game is going.”
Mifflin lost three of its top four scorers from last season. Destiny White, Ta’Shonna Wright-Gaskins and Kayla Del Vecchio combined to produce more than 60 percent of the team’s offense.
Replacement scoring has come from everywhere. Stella Mollica, Jocelyn Grosch, Gloria Serrano and Gina Fiore are all averaging between 5.8 and 8.8 points.
Payne has taken the biggest leap forward. After scoring 136 points in 28 games as a junior, she has 74 points through six games this season.
“She wants it, man,” Mifflin coach Mike Clark said. “She’s a senior. She sees the opportunity this team has. She’s taking it to the rim. She’s taking good shots. She’s giving us everything she can give us.”
Clark said he didn’t see Payne’s breakthrough coming. Not to this degree, at least. The coach has started to hear from interested colleges.
Payne was always versatile. She plays at the top of Mifflin’s zone and full-court press and uses her long reach to force turnovers. She helps bring the ball up the floor when Mifflin’s protecting a lead.
Adding double-figure scoring to Payne’s resume makes her one of the most valuable players in the league.
“She doesn’t get rattled; she doesn’t make mistakes,” Exeter coach Charles Truckermiller said. “She knocks down clutch shots when it matters. If you make a mistake on her, she makes you pay.”
Mifflin has the most wins in Berks despite losing so many key players. The Mustangs are able to plug in new faces and perform at a high level.
Some of that is leadership, or more accurately ownership, from the players who carry over from season to season. Payne’s a senior. It’s her turn to do more.
“She could always score,” Truckermiller said. “She just deferred to others. Now she’s not deferring as much and feels that confidence that comes with it.”