Payton Black Hobbs was a former resident of West Chester, PA and a graduate of Unionville High School, Class of 1996. While in high school, Payton Black was a three sport varsity athlete playing first singles in tennis, lacrosse, and the sport she excelled in, basketball. During her senior year of high school, she earned All Conference honors in tennis, lacrosse, and basketball.

Payton’s accomplishments in basketball list as a “Who’s Who.” In addition to being named to the All Conference Team for four years, she was also named to the All State team and the All American High School National Team in 1996. She scored 1,737 career points and is currently Unionville High School’s second all time leading scorer. Payton earned a position on the Olympic Festival East Team after completing her senior year in high school, and she competed in the Olympic Festival Games in Denver, Colorado.

Payton accepted a full basketball scholarship to Duke University, Class of 1996. While in her first year at Duke, she was a two sport college athlete, playing basketball in the winter and playing for the lacrosse team in the spring. She was a member of four NCAA basketball tournament teams, culminating in a Final Four appearance in the National Championship game in 1999. Payton finished her career amassing 1,312 career points and 514 rebounds playing center for the Blue Devils. Payton then went on to play basketball professionally in Germany for the Saarlouis Royals. Her performance in Germany earned her a tryout for the WNBA with the Washington Mystics.

After her basketball career was completed, Payton pursued a career in the field of education where she felt she could make a positive impact with young students and athletes. She has served as a classroom teacher, coach, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Assistant Head of Lower School, and Head of Lower School in public and private schools. She currently serves as the Associate Director of Admissions at La Jolla Country Day School in southern California. Payton resides in Carlsbad, CA with her husband, Alfie and two children, Simone and Tre.