Payson juniors star on court and diamond

PAYSON — The sound of a basketball bouncing on hardwood, a net swishing, the crack of a bat and a baseball or softball smacking into a leather glove — it's all sweet music to Tyler Newbold and Sandy Marvin.

In an age of one-sport athletes, Newbold and Marvin are from the old school. Their high-school sports experience lasts longer than three months. Instead of spending an off-season honing one skill, they just change uniforms and equipment and move on to another challenge.

Both of the Payson High stalwarts were first-team All-State basketball selections this year, and both are heading toward similar honors in baseball and softball — if not this year then possibly next.

"I just love all sports and love to compete with my friends," said Newbold, the leading hitter and center fielder on the Lions baseball team.

Payson fans and coaches are glad the two hardwood talents have chosen to take their athletic skills and love for competition to the diamond as well.

"Tyler does a lot of good things for us," baseball coach Scott Haney said. "He wants to win and he's a quiet leader, just like he is on the basketball court."

"Sandy is our spark plug," softball coach April Mangum said. "There's never a time when I have to question her being in the game. She's always focused, always looking for the edge and always doing that extra thing she can do to help the team win."

In basketball, Newbold scored about 18 points per game in leading the Lions to the state title game. The 6-foot-5 leaping swingman, only a junior, is sure to be one of the state's most sought-after college recruits next season.

Marvin, also only a junior, was the state's top scorer in girls hoops - averaging close to 21 points and two 3-pointers per game in leading the Lions to the state semifinals. She also should get some college hoop offers come next fall.

But the two are putting up impressive numbers in their spring specialties as well. Marvin, the Lions ace softball hurler, has seven wins on the mound, an earned-run-average of 1.75 with 88 strikeouts. As the Lions lead-off batter, she's hitting .391 with seven doubles, a triple, three home runs and 15 RBIs. She's also committed only two errors and has seven stolen bases.

"She's someone I trust to get on base and that's why I have her batting at leadoff. I just think she's intimidating at the plate. And when she gets on base she's going to score the majority of the time," Mangum said.