Titus Payton had some mixed emotions as he prepared to make his varsity debut for Andrew.
The freshman forward has faith in his game and felt ready for the moment. On the other hand, he knew it was going to be a big step up. And there was certainly a bit of apprehension.
“I was kind of nervous about it,” Payton said. “But I know I have to get used to the varsity game and keep playing. I just put the work in, on and off the court, and that makes me confident in whatever I have to do.”
Payton took on the challenge and excelled in his first varsity game Wednesday night. He came off the bench and scored 12 points to help the visiting Thunderbolts roll to a 64-46 win over crosstown rival Tinley Park.
Ryan Dinnon finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead Andrew (4-6), which also snapped a four-game losing streak — the last three defeats coming with Dinnon sidelined. Malik Mahmoud added 13 points and Justin Freeman contributed 10.
Jabron Brown led Tinley Park (1-8) with 13 points. Brooklyn Harris scored 10 points, while Jeff Tibbs and Omarion McCollum chipped in with seven apiece.
Payton, meanwhile, entered the game late in the first quarter and quickly asserted himself, scoring inside and then converting a putback in the final seconds.
He added four more points in the second quarter.
“The pace was much faster and guys are much stronger out there,” Payton said. “I’ve got to get used to it.
“That’s how I adjust to the game, by getting to the rim and finding open guys or scoring myself.”
Dinnon liked what he saw from the varsity rookie.
“He’s obviously way younger than a lot of the people out there and it’s a physical game, so I was impressed with how he finished around the rim,” Dinnon said.
Andrew coach Justin Stirn pointed out that Payton earned the varsity opportunity with some impressive play on the sophomore team the last couple weeks.
“There’s going to be a bell curve to his development and his growth,” Stirn said. “He’s got to understand the pace of the game is a lot different and kids are a lot stronger.
“There are going to be some ups and downs for him, but overall, he’s shown a very positive attitude. He wants to be coached. He doesn’t put his head down. That’s all you can ask for from a kid of that young age.”
Payton’s big first half helped Andrew open up a 38-22 halftime lead. Tinley Park used a 14-4 surge midway through the third quarter to pull within seven, but the Thunderbolts were able to pull away again in the fourth.
Payton has played travel with the prestigious MeanStreets program. That’s helped him prepare for high school basketball.
“I’ve played against guys that are much bigger,” he said. “I’m able to bring that experience here where guys on varsity are a lot stronger.”
While Payton adjusts to playing at a new level, Dinnon plans to be there to lend a hand.
“I try to think back to my freshman year when I got brought up to varsity and think about what I struggled with and how I can help him be ready for that,” Dinnon said. “Everyone tries to put him in places to be successful.”
Payton also has a huge role model in his own family. His brother, Kahmari Montgomery, won five track state championships at Plainfield Central before winning an NCAA title at Houston and competing in Olympic Trials.
“I look up to him,” Payton said. “I want to be where he was at, but in my sport, basketball.”
