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36 Northwest Arkansas Basketball Sunday, November 4, 2018 PAYTON BROWN SCHOOL Waldron CLASS Junior HEIGHT 6-4 POSITION Guard NOTABLE Averaged 31.5 points per game and shot 39 percent from 3-point range as a soph - omore. … Set the 4-4A scoring record with 56 points against Subiaco Academy in January. Made 7 of 11 3-pointers and 17 of 18 free throws in that game. … A 4.0 student who also plays baseball for the Bull - dogs. … Committed to the University of Central Arkansas for basketball following his sophomore year. C L A S S 3 A Brown ready, relaxed for junior season at Waldron P ayton Brown doesn't have to be concerned with trying to impress college recruiters his junior and senior years at Waldron. That's because he committed to the University of Central Arkansas after averaging 31.5 points as a sophomore for the Bulldogs. "They made me feel like I was a priority for them," Brown said of the Bears, who are a Division I program in men's basketball. "It just felt like the right fit and I really trust coach (Russ) Pennell." Brown is a 6-4 point guard who also averaged 8.2 rebounds and 4 assists in addition to pro- ducing over 30 points per game as a sophomore. He shot 58 percent inside the arc and 39 percent from 3-point range. He broke the 4-4A Conference scoring record when he poured in 56 points again Sub- iaco Academy on Jan. 12. He was 7 of 11 from 3-point range and made 17 of 18 while breaking the previous mark held by Dederick Lee of Clarksville. Many players Brown's size at smaller schools like Waldron play inside, but he enjoys having the ball in his hands and directing the of- fense from the perimeter. "I've played point guard since the seventh grade," Brown said. "I like it out there so I can take advantage of my size and ability." Brown played against some top athletes during the summer while playing for coaches Marcus Adams of Jonesboro and Wes Swift of Wat- son Chapel with Little Rock-based Woodz Elite. The team played all over the country and won the prestigious Peach Jam tournament in Georgia. "I shot 48 percent from the 3-point line and picked up some good experi- ence," Brown said. For now, Brown is focusing on leading Waldron to a winning re- cord after the Bulldogs finished 11-14 last season. Brown knows he and his teammates have plenty of room for improvement. "My goal is to limit my turnovers and get my teammates involved as much as I can," Brown said. "I know they'll do the same for me. Really, we just want to make it to state and do good things when we get there, hope- fully." Rick Fires can be reached at rfires@nwadg. com or on Twitter @NWARick. RICK FIRES NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE College pressure gone "My goal is to limit my turnovers and get my teammates involved as much as I can. I know they'll do the same for me. Really, we just want to make it to state and do good things when we get there, hopefully." — Payton Brown, Waldron point guard NWA Democrat-Gazette/J.T. WAMPLER