Junior season even more dazzling for Greenfield’s White
By Tom Ham
Senior Staff Writer
For a marquee performer that preferred to remain low-key, Greenfield school senior Coby White lived in the spotlight during the 2016-17 high school basketball season.
The 6-foot-5 White created a buzz with the Knights as a sophomore. The attention escalated when he verbally committed to continue his promising career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
But in 2016-17, the honors and the points piled up. White was the recipient of top-shelf state awards and he shattered scoring records — with more in sight.
White’s latest honor is repeating as The Wilson Times boys basketball Player of the Year.
“Anything that comes my way, I am glad to see it,” White graciously commented. “My hard work is paying off.
“I was proud overall (of his junior season). The team came up a little short, but we had a lot of obstacles and adversity to overcome.”
The Wilson Times accolade comes as no surprise, especially since White was earlier proclaimed North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, Associated Press and North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association All-State and the Most Outstanding Player in the Joe Miller High School Invitational in Wilmington.
In the 1-A Coastal Plain Independents Conference, White ruled as the league player of the year and as the most valuable player in the conference tournament.
Substantiating the awards were gaudy numbers — 31.4 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists per game from his point-guard position. White shot for 49-percent accuracy from beyond the 3-point line and for 77-percent accuracy from the foul line. He led the team in dunks.
During his junior season, White established Greenfield’s single-game scoring record (52 points) and became the top single-season scorer all-time in North Carolina basketball with 1,069 points. He has amassed over 2,500 points and is less than 1,000 points away from becoming the leading career scorer in North Carolina high school basketball.
Greenfield head coach Rob Salter hails White has the best player he’s ever coached. That’s a loud statement since Anthony Atkinson matriculated into a first-team NCAA Division II All-American at Barton College.
“He’s a special player,” Salter understated. “He had an amazing year, but he keeps getting better. Most improved was his leadership. He works on all aspects of his game.”
White explained he decided to attend Greenfield to “get my name out there and be coached by a great coach.”
He and his coach are convinced he can exceed his junior-year performance in 2017-18.
Salter is convinced White will become the most prolific scorer in North Carolina high school history and declares: “That says a lot about the way he can score the ball. It’s going to be scary to see how much he improves next year.”
White has the opportunity to become the first three-time Wilson Times male player of the year and he definitely wants to repeat as N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year. He prefers, however, to focus upon team goals — especially the elusive NCISAA 1-A state championship. White and the Knights reached the semifinals this past season.
“I think I can be way better next year,” he said. “It depends on how hard I work in the gym. I work out three times a day. I expect to have a big senior year, but I just want to look at the team, team goals and how well my teammates respond.”
Salter speaks of White as an “incredible young man” and adds: “He’s very humble and doesn’t like the limelight. It’s good to see good things happen to kids like Coby White.”
Notes White: “I play for God, and He makes me stay humble. I don’t like the spotlight, but I know this is just the beginning.”
By Tom Ham
Senior Staff Writer
For a marquee performer that preferred to remain low-key, Greenfield school senior Coby White lived in the spotlight during the 2016-17 high school basketball season.
The 6-foot-5 White created a buzz with the Knights as a sophomore. The attention escalated when he verbally committed to continue his promising career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
But in 2016-17, the honors and the points piled up. White was the recipient of top-shelf state awards and he shattered scoring records — with more in sight.
White’s latest honor is repeating as The Wilson Times boys basketball Player of the Year.
“Anything that comes my way, I am glad to see it,” White graciously commented. “My hard work is paying off.
“I was proud overall (of his junior season). The team came up a little short, but we had a lot of obstacles and adversity to overcome.”
The Wilson Times accolade comes as no surprise, especially since White was earlier proclaimed North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, Associated Press and North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association All-State and the Most Outstanding Player in the Joe Miller High School Invitational in Wilmington.
In the 1-A Coastal Plain Independents Conference, White ruled as the league player of the year and as the most valuable player in the conference tournament.
Substantiating the awards were gaudy numbers — 31.4 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists per game from his point-guard position. White shot for 49-percent accuracy from beyond the 3-point line and for 77-percent accuracy from the foul line. He led the team in dunks.
During his junior season, White established Greenfield’s single-game scoring record (52 points) and became the top single-season scorer all-time in North Carolina basketball with 1,069 points. He has amassed over 2,500 points and is less than 1,000 points away from becoming the leading career scorer in North Carolina high school basketball.
Greenfield head coach Rob Salter hails White has the best player he’s ever coached. That’s a loud statement since Anthony Atkinson matriculated into a first-team NCAA Division II All-American at Barton College.
“He’s a special player,” Salter understated. “He had an amazing year, but he keeps getting better. Most improved was his leadership. He works on all aspects of his game.”
White explained he decided to attend Greenfield to “get my name out there and be coached by a great coach.”
He and his coach are convinced he can exceed his junior-year performance in 2017-18.
Salter is convinced White will become the most prolific scorer in North Carolina high school history and declares: “That says a lot about the way he can score the ball. It’s going to be scary to see how much he improves next year.”
White has the opportunity to become the first three-time Wilson Times male player of the year and he definitely wants to repeat as N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year. He prefers, however, to focus upon team goals — especially the elusive NCISAA 1-A state championship. White and the Knights reached the semifinals this past season.
“I think I can be way better next year,” he said. “It depends on how hard I work in the gym. I work out three times a day. I expect to have a big senior year, but I just want to look at the team, team goals and how well my teammates respond.”
Salter speaks of White as an “incredible young man” and adds: “He’s very humble and doesn’t like the limelight. It’s good to see good things happen to kids like Coby White.”
Notes White: “I play for God, and He makes me stay humble. I don’t like the spotlight, but I know this is just the beginning.”
