White Finds Her Fit With Lady Bulldogs

Denesha White of Fayetteville tries get past Little Rock Central defender Jamie Ruffin during the Lady Bulldog Classic tournament at Fayetteville.
Denesha White of Fayetteville tries get past Little Rock Central defender Jamie Ruffin during the Lady Bulldog Classic tournament at Fayetteville.

— FAYETTEVILLE — Denesha White doesn’t often show up in the box score as a top scorer — or for matter, a scorer at all — for the Fayetteville girls basketball team this season.

That hasn’t stopped White from becoming one of the key pieces to the Lady Bulldogs’ success.

The 5-foot-2 junior isn’t asked on many occasions to think score first and pass later as Fayetteville’s starting point guard. But in her first full season with the varsity team, doing whatever it takes to help her team win is all that matters to White.

Profile

Denesha White

SCHOOL: Fayetteville

CLASS: Junior

HEIGHT: 5-2

NOTABLE: Has earned a starting position in recent games for Lady Bulldogs. ... Considered a team leader on and off the court. .. Counted on more for defense and assists than scoring. .. Played primarily junior varsity last season.

“Last year I was really disappointed in my play individually,” White said. “So I just wanted to come in this year and do whatever I could to help the team win. I’m more of a facilitator this year, and if that’s what they want me to do, that’s fine.”

Fayetteville coach Vic Rimmer credits White with much more than just finding open players on the court. Along with her role as the point guard, the spirited junior has emerged as a team leader for the Lady Bulldogs.

“She’s very well-liked on the team and is a good leader for us,” Rimmer said. “When she’s on the floor, she gets people in the right place, and when she’s off the floor, she’s always cheering everybody else on.

“(Denesha) understands her role as a point guard, and she understands what we expect out of her.”

The Lady Bulldogs are fresh off a 54-40 win against Siloam Springs on Tuesday to pull even at 2-2 in the 7A/6A-West Conference. Like in most victories this season, defense was the name of the game for Fayetteville’s victory against the Lady Panthers.

But White knows if the Lady Bulldogs want to build on the win, she needs to help get the offense rolling as well.

“We see ourselves as a defense-first team,” White said. “We’re always talking about defense. But if we can just put some offense along with it, then we can really get some more wins.”

White is confident Fayetteville (6-11, 2-2 7A/6A-West) will show off more offensive firepower as the season continues. And even she’s willing to contribute more to the cause.

But for now, White knows her role is that of a true point guard. And that’s a role she seems to accept with open arms.

“I see myself as an all-around player,” White said. “I can score. I can rebound. I can shoot. I can do whatever the team needs me to do.”

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