Panther strong, Panther proud

Pine Prairie’s Payne garners major accolades to cap career

Former Pine Prairie stand out Isaiah Payne takes the basketball down the court for the LSUE Bengal basketball team in a game played earlier this season. (Photo courtesy of Travis Webb/ LSU Eunice)

By: RHETT MANUEL Sports Editor EUNICE – Pine Prairie native Isaiah Payne entered the LSU-Eunice program as an unfinished product. Gifted with athleticism, head coach Byron Starks saw Payne as a blank slate he could turn into a complete basketball player. Starks’ pet project has worked out well, with Payne taking a primary role in the Bengals’ backcourt the past couple seasons. Payne c...

Premium Content is available to subscribers only. Please login here to access content or purchase a subscription to the Ville Platte Gazette or Basile Weekly.