White making the most of his floor time

Sometime during his junior year at North Idaho Christian School, the light went off on the basketball court for Garrett White.

That’s when he knew that — like a lot of kids — he wanted to play basketball a little longer once his time was over at the Hayden school.

PLAYING IN the Mountain Christian League, which has teams from church-based schools from Hayden to Edwall, Wash., there wasn’t a ton of chances to be seen by area college schools as most MCL schools don’t play public schools.

“I knew I was pretty good at basketball,” White said. “During my freshman and sophomore years, I didn’t have any other expectations but to have fun. During my senior year, I started wanting to play a higher level and longer. That’s kind of when I knew I could.”

Eventually, some coaches came out to see him in action.

“One game during my senior year, there was some coaches from North Idaho College that came to watch a game,” White said. “That kind of confirmed it for me.”

Community Colleges of Spokane coach Jeremy Groth came to a few of White’s games during his senior year, and ended up bringing him to Spokane.

White, a 6-5 forward, is in his second year at CC Spokane (18-4, 8-1 NWAC), which returns to action today at home at 4 p.m. against Big Bend at Spokane Falls.

“It’s been a great experience,” White said. “I love the coaches and players here. We’re always competing and having fun. We hold each other accountable and trying to make each other better. Coach (Jeremy) Groth really cares about his players and wants to see them get better.”

White is seventh in the conference with 21.6 points per game (431 total) and is 13th in rebounds with 8.4 per game (168 total).

As a freshman, White averaged 13.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

White has started all 22 games this season for Spokane, and started 25 of 32 games as a freshman.

“It’s a lot of what’s on the inside of Garrett for sure,” Groth said. “His heart is so big, and his work ethic is extremely special. He’s a winner. The biggest thing I can say about Garrett is he does everything that’s asked. He’s unbelievable to coach, and he’s just a winner. He works extremely hard, and does everything the right way.”

Not playing at a bigger school didn’t bother him at all.

“My experience at North Idaho Christian was a lot of fun,” White said. “We were all really close as a team. Looking back, I don’t think I would have gone anywhere else.”

White also credits Tom Lassan, who coached him in junior high, for building his confidence early on.

“He was a big part in helping me believe and know I could play at the next level,” White said. “He was always helping me out and telling me that if I worked hard enough, I could make it.”

AT SPOKANE, White also plays with local products Hunter Schaffer (Lake City), Tanner McCliment-Call (Post Falls) and Josiah Haaland (Lakeland).

McCliment-Call tore his ACL in his left knee in the third game of the season and is out for the season. The injury will force him to redshirt in baseball at CCS this spring.

“It’s a fun group of guys,” White said. “I enjoy playing with all of them. Losing Tanner was a little tough, but he’s still on the bench cheering us on. Hunter, I played with him a lot at the Kroc Center before we ended up here.”

Before games, White will take a moment to himself to focus on the game.

“I usually read a little scripture and pray beforehand,” White said. “I’m going through Psalm 118 right now.”

“He’s very special in a lot of ways,” Groth said. “Him just being out there, and the winner he is, it just carries everyone else on our team. I’m very excited and glad he’s a Sasquatch.”

White’s final regular season home game will be Feb. 19 against NIC. He’s still deciding on what’s next, but has offers from some NAIA and Division II programs.

“I’ve got some options right now,” White said. “Corban, Vanguard and Whitworth are all really interested.”

The conference championship tournament is March 7-8 (first two rounds) and 14-15 (semifinals, finals) at Everett Community College.

“I’m just trying to enjoy every minute,” White said. “I think we’ve got a special group of guys, and could win the championship as well.”

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He can be reached by telephone at (208) 664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at [email protected].