Payne Tech coach Brad Howard looks at the seventh season of his team’s existence at their Newark campus as a definite daily challenge especially as his Lions have stepped back up into the Super Essex Conference’s top division, the American, for the first time in four seasons.
“If it’s not the best, it’s one of the best conferences in the state,” said Howard, who coached Bloomfield Tech for five seasons (2013-2018) including two North 2, Group 1 state sectional championship teams, before a brand new and larger Payne Tech school was unveiled for the 2018-2019 season at its Brick City home. “We feel that with the experience and talent that we have we’re ready to compete at a high level this season although we certainly fully realize the tough terrain that is each and every game in the SEC-American.”
Payne Tech returns its three top scorers from last winter’s 17-9 squad (9-3 in the SEC-Liberty Division) in 6-foot-4 senior guard Robert Foster (17.7 points, 4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2 steals per game in 2023-2024), a ‘double-double’ machine in 6-5 junior forward Gerald Edwell (18.4 ppg, 14.3 rpg) and precious 6-0 sophomore guard De’an Armstrong (9.6 ppg).
There is additional size for the Lions with 6-7 sophomore forward Akeem Paul and 6-5 junior Henry Onekwelu, while the backcourt will be strengthened next month when 5-10 senior Jameer Westry, who played at College Achieve in Asbury Park last season, but had been with the Lions during his sophomore season, is eligible to play Jan. 10 in accordance with NJSIAA rules regarding a 30-day sit out period for those who have had a second transfer in their scholastic careers.
Freshman Abdullah Parramore, who came to Payne Tech from coach Joe Jordan’s Patrick School Academy program, also adds strength in the deep Lions backcourt.
Whatever the talent quotient might be – and it is a high-level one – traversing the likes of a division race with new SEC member and reigning Essex County Tournament champion St. Benedict’s, in addition to Group 1 state tournament favorite Arts High School, a solid N1G4 title contender in East Orange Campus, defending SEC-American Division champion Immaculate Conception, and a possibly-resurgent Seton Hall Prep with former Pirate star Sterling Gibbs in his first season at the helm, there will always be a tough challenge for the Lions, whether it’s home or away.
Payne Tech began the new season with a 59-51 loss at Arts in a Dec. 12th game where the two teams were tied, 44-all, through three quarters. Foster led the Lions with 19 points, while Armstrong had 16 and Edwell had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Then came a 67-61 triumph over an always-dangerous Hackensack team in the Tryone Collins Tip-Off Showcase on Dec. 14 at Paterson Kennedy High School.
The going will not let up at all in the coming days and weeks, and that’s fine with Howard who has one prominent goal in mind for his Lions.
