Forwards Pharrel Payne and Jamari Walker combined for 40 of Park’s 59 points, but Park coach Mike Weah praised the play of the Wolfpack guards as a big reason for a win over visiting Stillwater Friday. “It’s pretty crazy when you have two talented bigs that we do in Jamari and Pharrel, and our guards understand that,” said Park head coach Mike Weah. “The leadership of Brayden Fick at point guard has been amazing right now, making sure that our guys are following the game plan. It’s nice to have those two bigs but having a point guard out there running the show the way that he does helps a lot.”

Payne dropped in 26 points and Walker had 14 points to lead a short-handed Wolfpack to a 59-52 victory over the Ponies Friday. Park played without regulars OT Omot and Evan Bearth but still had enough firepower to overcome a good Stillwater team.

“We did well giving it to the big guys, even though they were just packing the paint the whole game,” said Fick. “Pharrel and Jamari did a good job just doing what they can do and we just have to give them the ball. It’s no secret.”

Park improved to 8-4 on the season and 4-2 in the Suburban East Conference, currently third in the league. Park is also 3-0 since star senior Payne returned after missing the first nine games of the season with a hip condition.

To no one’s surprise, Payne was the focus of the Park attack, and he displayed a variety of skills getting the ball in the basket Friday. Payne was equally adept and dropping in mid-range jumpers from around the free-throw line as he was at muscling in and scoring down low. What he didn’t put in, Walker was able to.

“It is good to have him back,” Weah said of Payne’s return to the court. “As much as it’s fun to have him back on the team just because how much better he makes us but its good just to have that energy back from him. He was doing all he could from the bench getting our guys hyped up. They’ve been wanting to play with him the whole year, so he turned the level of excitement up.” Stillwater gave Park an intense battle, especially in the second half when both teams scored 27 points. But the Ponies couldn’t quite make up the difference from the first half and fell, slipping to 7-5 overall and 3-3 in the conference.

Park led 31-26 at the half but could never quite shake the Ponies. The second half was a back-and-fourth battle. The game was tied at 50-all with 2:56 to play but Park cranked up the defense and held the Ponies to a single basket in the final three minutes.

Payne and Walker both dropped in clutch baskets to give Park a 54-50 lead with 1:39 left and the Wolfpack were able to keep Stillwater at bay the rest of the way. Guard Brady Perryman made three of four free throws in the final minute to help keep the Ponies in the stable.

Park 67, Irondale 46 Senior forward Payne got his first extensive playing time of the season and the Wolfpack responded in a big way in the second half to lead Park to a 67-46 win at Irondale Wednesday.

Payne scored 36 points to go along with 10 rebounds and six blocked shots in Park’s 21-point victory.

Park trailed 33-29 at the half but blew out Irondale with a 38-13 effort after intermission.

“At halftime I told the guys how much I love them and that it didn’t matter if we came out there and weren’t playing good I still love them either way,” said Weah. “They knew they didn’t follow the expectations of what we expect to do when we’re out there on the court. That second half we just came out more fired up, more ready to go.”

Park forward Evan Bearth of the Wolfpack drained five 3-point field goals en route to 19 points.

Park has a huge game at fifth-ranked rival and league-leading East Ridge (9-2, 5-0) Tuesday, then plays at Forest Lake (2-10, 1-5) on Friday, Jan. 21.

Park’s Pharrel Payne elevates above the crowd for a mid-range jump shot in the first half against Stillwater. Photo by John Molene