Willie White

Pine Ridge ‘Thorpes’ – 1987

Willie White was a four year starter at Pine Ridge High School. He is one of the very few players to match Garney Henley by playing in four straight high school

tournaments. Starting as a freshmen in 1983 his state tournament career ended his senior year in 1987 by scoring 34 points in the championship game. The Thorpes not only won the state ‘A’ tourney, they completed a perfect year going 26-0.

Willie was a four year starter and a two time All-Stater. Known for his unselfish play and great all around ability, Willie was still a standout player. During his senior year not only did Pine Ridge have a perfect year, but they did it by playing only three home games all season.Scoring well over a career thousand points and averaging over ten rebounds per game his last two years, he also registered 23 dunks as a senior. Very capable in the back court, he became the key against the press. As a junior his team lost to Beresford in double overtime in the semi final game. The team finished 24-2.

The Thorpes were a four time champion at the Lakota Nation Invite and Willie White was a MacDonald’s All- American nominee. His high school coach was Jesse Mendoza. He continued his playing career at Huron College and Dakota Wesleyan University. Today Willie lives on the Pine Ridge and is an independent contractor.