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February 12, 2012

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Ray Brewer: From the Pressbox

ray brewer:

GV grad Billy White flashing that special athletic ability with San Diego State

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Justin M. Bowen

Billy White of San Diego State claps during the game against New Mexico during Friday’s Mountain West Conference Tournament game. San Diego St. will advance to the final with a 72-69 win.

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Saturday, March 13, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

SDSU Knocks Off Top-Seeded UNM

SDSU Knocks Off Top-Seeded UNM

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Behind Green Valley grad Billy White's career high 28 points, San Diego State shocks No. 8 New Mexico, 72-69, in the semifinals of the Mountain West Conference Tournament.

San Diego State junior Billy White would have been a great high school football player.

That’s something I constantly told him during his prep career at Green Valley High, where the lanky forward led the Henderson school’s basketball team to the large-school state semifinals as a senior in 2007.

White’s 6-foot-8 frame and long arms would have been a perfect fit to play tight end — or so I thought. And his cousins, Ramond and Corey White, each were star football players who received college scholarships.

I’m glad White ignored my pleas. The basketball court, as he showed Friday night, is where he belongs.

White had a career-high 28 points on 11-of-14 shooting in leading San Diego State to a thrilling 72-69 upset victory against top-seeded New Mexico in the Mountain West Conference Tournament semifinals.

White did a little bit everything for the Aztecs, but it was a play with less than two minutes remaining that reminded me of why I thought he’d shine on the gridiron.

White took a half-court pass from Kawhi Leonard in stride and made a layup while being fouled. He converted the ensuing free throw to give San Diego State the lead for good. He literally looked like a receiver hauling in a long pass.

“I didn’t see anybody back, so I took off,” White said of the decisive play. “Kawhi saw me. I knew (New Mexico’s Dairese Gary) was going to try to foul me before I got to the basket. I just stretched out and just made the play.

Moments later, White celebrated the win by kneeling at mid-court and pounding his fist in excitement into the league’s logo.

White always wore his emotions on his sleeve while playing for Green Valley. It’s just the Gators always came up short in close games with a championship within reach. They barely lost to Canyon Springs in the Sunrise Regional title game his senior year and came up short in the state semifinals the following week.

San Diego State plays UNLV on Saturday for the Mountain West title. It’s the same spot the Aztecs were in last year, however, they lost by two points to Utah for the championship.

“I think this year is just our year,” White said. “We worked so hard all year. We just deserved this win. We came out there and fought the whole 40 minutes. So, you know, it just meant a lot to me and this team.”

White was always physically bigger and stronger than opponents in the weak Henderson-based Southeast Division in high school. Knowing he would always dominate created some lazy habits and hindered the development of his offensive skills.

But that hasn’t been the case at San Diego State.

White has transformed into one of the league’s more respected post players, winning conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2008 and leading the league in shooting percentage last year as a sophomore. This year, he is averaging 10.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, despite being hindered with an injured ankle most of the year.

“I don’t know where the reputation of not a hard worker came from,” San Diego State coach Steve Fisher said. “He’s been nothing but a hard worker for us and willing to do whatever we ask.”

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