Sebastian Payton was born and raised in the state of Arizona, and played his high school basketball in the late 1980's and early 1990's at Maryvale High School, after first beginning his career at North HS as a freshman.
Payton would become one of the better high school players in the state of Arizona, and would take his talents to Yavapai Junior College in Prescott, Arizona, where he would play two seasons for the Roughriders. He would then travel to Gordon College in Wenham, MA, where he would finish out his playing career and earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.
Payton would return home to the state of Arizona after graduating from college, and begin devoting his life to teaching young children. He would begin teaching in the Cartwright School District, where he would mentor young children and provide excellent leadership to African-American youth in South and West Phoenix - an area seriously deserving of Payton's leadership skills.
After spending many years developing the youth, this season Payton has decided to take on his biggest responsibility to date, as he has taken over the basketball program at Maryvale HS, his former high school, in an attempt to lead his program back to respectability.
This will be a difficult task for Payton, as Maryvale HS has not won in some time. Over the last two seasons under former head coach Tom Bendict, the Panthers have posted an overall record of 21-31.
But it will be just a matter of time for Payton to rebuild a program that has had little hope in year's past. Payton's understanding of the game is immense. As a former top performer himself, and, more importantly, someone who loves the state of Arizona and is engrained in the community, Payton is the right man for the job. Payton does not bother himself with having star players and having his team wear the best in athletic apparel - he is committed to developing young men and making them productive citizens of our community.
Payton' style and tactics are definitely unique and his approach to the game are unlike many in the state, but his love and passion for the game are what is needed to rebuild the Maryvale program.
Payton is from the old school, as he was developed as a youth by such legendary Arizona coaches as Royce Youree (East High) and the late Hector Bejarano (North HS). He is a fundamental coach that teaches the game and expects his players to work hard on and off the basketball court.
This season, Payton has seen his team struggle a great deal (1-8), but he is hopeful things will turn around over time. Payton is excited about the play of 6-foot-3 junior guard Keshan Spears. While his team recently did not win a game in this year's McClintock Holiday Shootout, Spears finished with a team-high 16, 24 and 27 points in his team's three games.
Payton is also hopeful that 5-foot-11 senior guard Shawn McGee will pick up his play this season. Payton likes McGee's quickness with the basketball and advised me that he is a nice talent.
Payton will definitely have his work cut out for him now and in the future, as he attempts to rebuild the basketball program at Maryvale HS. While his work will be immense, Payton has the passion, dedication and the roots in the community essential to
provide hope to a struggling program.
