Girls basketball: Dynamic duo shines for Amboy

This was supposed to be the year Abi Payne and Mallory Powers collected a lifetime of family bragging rights.

The Amboy High School seniors were going to lead the Clippers to the IHSA Girls State Basketball Tournament and come home with a Class 1A championship. They had that kind of a team in the 2019-20 season, but lost a heartbreaker to eventual champ Eastland in the Pecatonica Sectional final.

Payne and Powers come from athletic families who had deep postseason runs, but none have been able able to bring home a title.

Payne’s father, Chris, starred at Amboy for 3 years before transferring to Elgin St. Edward as a senior in 1992. He guided the Green Wave to state, but they lost to Findlay in the quarterfinals.

Chris Payne later coached Mount Carroll to state in 2003, but the Hawks lost to Chicago Hales Franciscan in the title game.

Powers’ mother, Mandy, helped Amboy to a supersectional berth in 1984, but the Clippers lost to Atkinson.

Dean Powers, Mallory’s father, was an all-state player as a senior in 1981, but a stacked Amboy club lost a tough sectional semifinal against Putnam County. Powers was also a member of two Amboy football teams that placed second at state in 1979 and 1980.

Abi Payne, Mallory Powers and their teammates were going to be the ones to reverse the trend of their families coming close, but not being able to seal the deal in terms of a championship. Then COVID-19 hit.

The tail end of the 2019-20 winter sports season was canceled, and spring sports were wiped out as well. It carried over into the fall, as only low-risk sports golf, cross country and tennis could be contested.

Winter sports, including basketball, was one big question mark. Finally, on Jan. 27, the IHSA announced there would be a shortened season, lasting about 6 weeks, with no state tournament. For Payne and Powers, it wasn’t ideal, but it was better than nothing.

“In the offseason, all through fall and winter, Dad and I were in the gym every day, practicing and hoping for a season,” Payne said. “When it finally came, it was go time. It was really fun to play a senior season.”

“Our main goal was to go out with a bang and try to win conference,” Powers said, “and then try to finish No. 1 in the state.”

The Clippers were able to do just that. They went 14-1, with the lone loss to their nemesis, Eastland, in the Cougars’ gym. Amboy avenged that defeat 2 days later, however, and won the rest of their games as well.

Payne and Powers led the way.

The 5-foot-8 Payne provided a steady hand at point guard, scoring when necessary, but mostly guiding the Clippers’ ship. She averaged 14.7 points, 6.2 assists and 3.6 steals per game.

The 5-11 Powers stuffed the stat sheet with 17.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.6 steals per contest.

Each were great admirers of the others’ game.

“Her as a point guard is something I would never take for granted,” Powers said. “She can create me awesome shots, and she can take it to the rim and kick out. She’s one of the best point guards I’ve ever played with in my life.”

“Every time I went to the basket, I knew she was going to be on the 3-point line ready to shoot when I passed it to her,” Payne said. “Playing with Mallory, it’s been amazing. We’re the dynamic duo.”

That extends to off the court. They are best friends who have spent countless nights at each other’s houses, laughing and joking into the wee hours. In the morning, though, it’s time to get back to work.

“We’d have breakfast, and then Dad would remind us that it was time to get into the gym,” Powers said.

Both players credited their fathers as the main influence in their basketball success.

“He was amazing,” Payne said. “Dad and I went into the gym every day, probably since I was in kindergarten, working so hard for everything that I’ve done. He was a big part of my career.”

Powers was primarily a long-range shooter early in her days at Amboy, but was pushed to expand her game by her father.

“My dad and I worked on that all day,” Powers said. “We started with that dribble off penetration and getting to the basket, and he would try to either block me or give me contact. It forced me to get stronger.”

Amboy coach Mike McCracken was the beneficiary of 4 years with Payne and Powers, and enjoyed seeing them grow as players.

“At the very beginning, we needed a point guard, and that’s why we chose Abi at the time,” McCracken said. “Abi started playing her freshman year, and she certainly grew into an outstanding point guard. She was always a good passer, but every year she grew more confident, and that would enable her to do more. She became a better shooter, and eventually she became an all-around guard that could drive and score.

“Mallory at one time was just a shooter. She’s always been a great defensive player, but she developed into a driver also. … The best part is the way they feed off of each other. When you play with somebody and you know what they’re going to do every step of the way, it becomes great the way they fed off each other. One penetrated, and the other knew to set up at the 3-point line. They worked great defensively together, too.”

In the fall, Powers and Payne will take their talents to the Division III college level, Powers at Illinois Wesleyan and Payne at Ripon (Wis.). Powers will study kinesiology and plans to become a physical or occupational therapist, while Payne will study exercise science, with a goal of becoming a physical education teacher and coach.

They toyed with the idea of finding a college where they could play together.

“We got a few offers,” Payne said, “but I think the colleges we picked are the best fits for us.”