Greenfield's White emerges as 'top dog' in sensational sophomore season
By Tom Ham Senior Staff Writer WILSON DAILY TIMES
Coby White’s dream is to play NCAA Division I basketball for Duke University.
Judging from his strides his sophomore season at Greenfield School, reality might be closer than he realizes.
White’s numbers are gaudy. The awards are piling up.
The latest accolade for the 6-foot-5, 175-pound Knights’ point guard is heading The Wilson Times 2016 All-Area boys lineup as the player of the year.
"Well-deserved,” responded veteran Greenfield head coach Rob Salter. "He had an incredible year. Coby was a very talented freshman, but he has worked hard and dedicated himself to being special. He has made himself into one of the top sophomores in the country.”
In directing the Knights to the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A quarterfinals, White averaged a staggering 28.2 points, eight rebounds and seven assists per contest. He scored 40 or more points in five contests and his 46-point explosion erased Anthony Atkinson’s Greenfield precedent for the most points scored in one game.
"His numbers against the type competition we played were really special,” Salter declared.
White not only landed on the all-Coastal Plain Independents Conference and all-CPIC tournament teams but was proclaimed the CPIC Player of the Year although the Knights finished second behind 2-A Freedom Christian. Then came recognition on the NCISAA All-State team.
Of his latest achievement, White responded: "I feel great about it; there are a lot of good players in Wilson.”
Salter hailed White as "such a complete player” and contended the versatile sophomore could emerge as a premier performer for a program that has produced numerous players who succeeded in the college ranks.
"He can score at all three levels,” Salter noted. "He controls the game and changes his speed so well. He gets people the ball and does what it takes to try to win the game.
"He will shatter every record we’ve had here. The intangible you can’t describe that makes you great … he has it. He has established the bar pretty high and everybody knows who he is.”
White, projected as one of the top five sophomores in the country, remarked that his sophomore year accomplishments exceeded his expectations.
"I had a great season,” he assured. "I had to be a leader and that was a big role as a sophomore. I didn’t think I was going to have that many 30- and 40-point games. To break Anthony Atkinson’s record is one of my greatest accomplishments.”
But the individual success was bittersweet.
"We didn’t accomplish the goal of winning the state championship and going all the way,” White explained.
The 16-year-old intends to emphasize improving his defense and hitting the weights to enhance his quickness in preparing for a junior season — when Salter says he will hold White accountable as one of the top players in the country.
"I take it as a challenge,” White responded. "That’s what I want to be. I want to be known as the top dog.”
As a sophomore, White is one of the youngest to earn the distinction of Wilson Times player of the year. Can a three-peat be expected?
"I hope I can,” White answered. "I’m going to try.”
By Tom Ham Senior Staff Writer WILSON DAILY TIMES
Coby White’s dream is to play NCAA Division I basketball for Duke University.
Judging from his strides his sophomore season at Greenfield School, reality might be closer than he realizes.
White’s numbers are gaudy. The awards are piling up.
The latest accolade for the 6-foot-5, 175-pound Knights’ point guard is heading The Wilson Times 2016 All-Area boys lineup as the player of the year.
"Well-deserved,” responded veteran Greenfield head coach Rob Salter. "He had an incredible year. Coby was a very talented freshman, but he has worked hard and dedicated himself to being special. He has made himself into one of the top sophomores in the country.”
In directing the Knights to the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A quarterfinals, White averaged a staggering 28.2 points, eight rebounds and seven assists per contest. He scored 40 or more points in five contests and his 46-point explosion erased Anthony Atkinson’s Greenfield precedent for the most points scored in one game.
"His numbers against the type competition we played were really special,” Salter declared.
White not only landed on the all-Coastal Plain Independents Conference and all-CPIC tournament teams but was proclaimed the CPIC Player of the Year although the Knights finished second behind 2-A Freedom Christian. Then came recognition on the NCISAA All-State team.
Of his latest achievement, White responded: "I feel great about it; there are a lot of good players in Wilson.”
Salter hailed White as "such a complete player” and contended the versatile sophomore could emerge as a premier performer for a program that has produced numerous players who succeeded in the college ranks.
"He can score at all three levels,” Salter noted. "He controls the game and changes his speed so well. He gets people the ball and does what it takes to try to win the game.
"He will shatter every record we’ve had here. The intangible you can’t describe that makes you great … he has it. He has established the bar pretty high and everybody knows who he is.”
White, projected as one of the top five sophomores in the country, remarked that his sophomore year accomplishments exceeded his expectations.
"I had a great season,” he assured. "I had to be a leader and that was a big role as a sophomore. I didn’t think I was going to have that many 30- and 40-point games. To break Anthony Atkinson’s record is one of my greatest accomplishments.”
But the individual success was bittersweet.
"We didn’t accomplish the goal of winning the state championship and going all the way,” White explained.
The 16-year-old intends to emphasize improving his defense and hitting the weights to enhance his quickness in preparing for a junior season — when Salter says he will hold White accountable as one of the top players in the country.
"I take it as a challenge,” White responded. "That’s what I want to be. I want to be known as the top dog.”
As a sophomore, White is one of the youngest to earn the distinction of Wilson Times player of the year. Can a three-peat be expected?
"I hope I can,” White answered. "I’m going to try.”
