Thanks to a new-found love of the game, Port Byron High School senior Sadie White recently committed to playing college basketball at Onondaga Community College.
White’s first love had always been on the softball field, but when varsity girls’ basketball coach Chris Kudla took over the program, White said her passion for the game was revitalized.
“Ever since Coach Kudla took over the basketball program, he just made me fall in love with the sport,” she said.
After playing a game at the college this year, White said the OCC coaching staff provided her with a tour of their facilities. She immediately fell in love with the program and noted to herself: “Let’s do this.”
Coach Kudla said he couldn’t be prouder of the player and person White has become.
“Sadie is a tremendous young lady, and I am beyond proud to share the title of Port Byron Alum with her come June. Sadie has set the standard of the kind of people we want to graduate from this basketball program and school; a self-efficacious individual whose dreams come to fruition through hard work and perseverance,” he said.
“Although she's graduating and heading off down her own road, Sadie's name, her intense play on the court, her humorous demeanor off the court and the effect she's had on The Panther Pit and our youngest of Panthers will echo for a very long time."
White wanted to thank her teammates (many of whom she’s played the game with since the second grade) for their support over the years.
“We’re very close, and we became even closer over the last two seasons. It’s going to be really hard to play without them, just because we know each other so well,” said White.
So, what does shooting guard Sadie White bring to the table for the OCC girls’ program?
“Defense. Definitely defense,” she said proudly.
Academically, White is going to pursue a degree in education.
“I’m not sure yet if I want to be a physical education teacher or an elementary school teacher. But probably one of those,” she said.
Athletic Director Mike Hermann said the entire district and community is proud of White for this achievement.
