Hands down the best player to ever come out of Port Aux Basques, Darren Payne was a legit baller following a successful stint in high school, Darren took his talents to MUN where he ultimately proved to be a great teammate and a very hard worker. He would crash the glass with abandon and step in to take the charge...dude was a flat out baller! Oh, and he could shoot it from the three and and had a variety of post moves...what a weapon to have in Darren! All right time to meet Mr. Payne!
Introduction
St James Regional High School Port Aux Basques, NL. I am not involved in Bball now other than a pick up game when my boys are home.
What got you hooked on basketball?
Played both vball and Bball in junior high. Really got hooked on both sports. But Bball was a lot easier to play on the road so the natural progression was not Bball in school and in the summer played on the street. My dad made me a net in grade six or seven on our street and that’s where we played.
Do you come from big people?
Most of my uncles on my dads side and my dad are all 6’2 and bigger. Met a great uncle once a long time ago. He was 88 and taller than me. So I would day most of the men on my dads side were larger than normal.
What was your high school gym like? Where did the fans sit ? Level of fan support?
It was plenty big. Didn't have many fans. Just a handful.
Who were your favorite teammates over the years Darren?!
I was very lucky to have had great teammates. A few guys in high school who I’m still talking with. Guys that you would hang around with after basketball. On weekends, golfing, hiking, fishing….all of the time gather outside remember everyone from the MUN teams. Marc Woods was such a hard worker. Spent a ton of time in the gym after practice. Peter (Benoite) was an incredibly hard worker and pushed all of us for sure.
What was your record for points per game?! Season average?
PPG….not much. I think my last year I avg maybe 10. I think the most I scored in a game was 31. Last regular season game of my career against upei at home. I believe John (Deveraux) had 31 as well. Something like that anyway. In my fourth year at upei was guarded by Curtis Robinson and scored 29 I think. 11 for 11 against UNB. it’s easier for me to remember my best games because I only had a few, I remember so many details about MUN bball! The O at Grenfell and St. John’s. I remember you being there and eating me in the one on one competition. ( I got lucky that day fellow hoopers)
Most memorable moment was in final season when we travelled to X to play two games. We were in first in AUS but they were ranked above us in the national,, rankings. We went in and won both games. While they weren’t easy wins but I don’t believe the games were extremely close if I recall. Everyone played well that weekend. Everyone on the team.
of the ten players got substantial time.
Where are they now?
Today Darren and family live in King, Ontario about an hour outside with my wife be happier and is self employed also!
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