Weston Ranch made a nice improvement from a 2009-2010 15-12 season to 26-4 last year. That eleven win improvement probably caught many opponents napping. A key contributor to the Cougars' turnaround is combination guard Zerrion Payton who is often called "Zee" by his teammates.
At 6-foot-1 and 155 pounds, Payton averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game last season. The No.38 ranked junior prospect according to NorCalPreps.com is a slasher who can finish with both hands and get to the free throw line frequently. His best move is the between the legs cross over because it gets the defender off balance and allows him to create separation.
Weston Ranch Head Coach Ryan Bono says, "Zerrion is a good penetrator who likes to dish the ball. He is able to get his shot off in the lane and finish contested shots. His jumpshoot is improving everyday. Defensively he is good at playing the passing lane and helping to block shots. Zerrion is usually a cool mannered player on the court. He is very competitive and likes the challenge of the other teams best guard player. He likes to pass the ball for the assist which makes him a good teammate."
Payton models his game after Milwaukee Buck Brandon Jennings because he can create ways to get his teammates open, he can shoot the three point shot, he has a nice dribble, and he is great in transition. The nephew of former Oregon State Beaver Gary Payton, this Cougar has been playing basketball since he was three years old and is going into his second year as a varsity starter.
Payton muses about the influence of his paternal uncle, "I learned from him that getting your teammates involved is key to being a great team and winning games. I also got that hard nose competitiveness like all my Payton family members have and want to win by any means necessary. He's influenced me a lot on my game considering we are both point guards and all around players."
During this past summer, Payton played for his Bay Area Hoosiers club. In addition for playing for the Hoosiers, Payton worked on his perimeter game, ball handling, free throws, defense, moves to get by defenders, and moves to get open.
Payton has had early inquiries from Arizona, Pacific, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, San Jose State, and Santa Clara. He wants to play for an up tempo type of offense because he can lead the break and run the floor to get quick transition buckets. Payton is undecided about his academics and is open to anywhere geographically.
Bono adds, "Zerrion off the court, is the same low key young man you see on the court. He does not get to high or too low. He goes about his business, likes to have fun, but is not in the center of it. If you don't know Z he would come across as a quiet, stick to himself person. Zerrion has a decent chance at playing at the next level. He may have to go through the JC route first. He needs to add strength to his frame and a more consistent jumpshot. He sometimes makes ill advised passes, so he will have to improve his decision making skills."
The current edition of Weston Ranch also features 2013 prospects Dylan Alexander and Daiveon Leverett. Payton has the luxury of passing to such playmakers and scorers. Payton hopes to earn All-League and possibly league MVP in helping his Cougars make a deep run in the postseason. For opposing opponents when visiting Stockton, California, they would be wise not to sleep on Zee.
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