Melrose’s Corbin and C.J. White commit to college LAX
Published in the January 27, 2017 edition
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE BROTHERS CJ and Corbin White will take their lacrosse games to college in the fall of 2017. Corbin of Melrose High (in white) will compete for Keene State and C.J. of Pingree School (in blue) for Div. 1 Hobart College. (courtesy photo)
MELROSE—For the White family of Melrose, lacrosse has been a household staple. Now, it’s one that has paid off.
Next year, two native sons of Melrose, brothers, will pursue lacrosse at a collegiate level after committing this year to NCAA institutions. C.J. White, 19, and Corbin White, 18, son of Cheryl and Charlie and brother to Colby, 21, of Melrose, will take their game to Div. 1 and Div. 3 NCAA play in the fall of 2017 after masterful high school careers at two different schools. CJ White will graduate from Pingree School this spring and brother Corbin White is finishing his last year at Melrose High. Both brothers will serve as captains for their lacrosse varsity teams this spring.
CJ White, 13 months older than Corbin, was chosen last year as a Boston Globe and Boston Herald’s All American. He was also chosen as a U.S. Lacrosse All-American and EIL MVP. As a goalie, he had a save percentage rate of 87.2% during his junior year at Pingree School, helping lead the team to an 18-1 record. Last summer, he committed to play for Hobart Williams’ Div. 1 lacrosse team after being recruit during his sophomore and junior years at Pingree.
According to C.J. it was down to Hobart (of New York) or West Point. “Hobart had a higher interest, and I have a good chance of starting playing time earlier there,” says CJ, who credits Pingree coach Kevin Tersolo, the Northeast Coach of the Year.
CJ’s brother Corbin White plays for Melrose High School boys lacrosse as a left handed attacker. He committed to NCAA top ten Div. 3 Keene State College last summer and was nominated to play for the Blue Chip Invitational in 2016, where he earned All Star honors. White is currently the leading goal scorer for the Red Raiders, who’ve enjoyed several playoff runs under his watch.
While pursuing high school lacrosse at two different schools might be a challenge for the family carpool, the brothers enjoy the friendly rivalry.
Says Corbin, “My brother and I took up lacrosse in middle school and have been steady with it ever since. CJ and I are always going to the field, tweaking aspects of our games and making ourselves better, and created a strong, competitive bond.”
CJ says of Corbin. “He’s got a hell of a shot, better than most D1 commits I see, and he’s extremely athletic which makes in an intimidating offensive weapon.” In fact, CJ credits his brother’s arm for helping him improve as a goalie.
According to mother Cheryl, family support and passion for lacrosse has driven them far. “They’re truly each other’s biggest fans and support system.”
Corbin has spent his high school career at MHS under the coaching of Matt James, including a starting role as sophomore. He was recruited thanks in part to the Boston Laxachusetts Club, where Keene State coach Mark Theriault found him. “I did my research and was amazed by their accomplishments,” says Corbin. “They finished 6th in Div. 3 North and when I visited I loved the campus, it’s a great town not far from home. And when they gave me the offer I couldn’t refuse.”
This season he looks forward to a strong finish with Melrose High. “I’d like to see us go all the way. I know that in the off season we’ve picked up some talent. We just want to have a great season.”
According to his coach, Corbin has been a textbook player for Melrose. “He’s been awesome. He really is the perfect player,” says Matt James. ” He’s the first one to show up, last to leave. He works out and focuses on lacrosse all the time. Scouts always know him on the field, he’s just really productive. He was awarded our Groundhog honor for a reason.”
CJ White started a freshman at Melrose High School until pursued by Pingree, where he repeated freshmen year on the lacrosse field. With one more season to go, CJ still has high goals this spring at Pingree which includes a repeat All American honor and a league MVP nod. CJ is currently rated the #19 lacrosse goalie in the country, and wouldn’t mind cracking the top 10.
According to his coach Kevin Tersolo, a number of colleges wanted CJ, thus, Hobart is getting a special player. “He might have the best save percentage this school has ever had. I knew during his freshmen year that he was a Div. 1 goalie. He’s outstanding, and his athleticism and mechanics set him apart.”
And while their college experiences will no doubt be a whirlwind, the White brothers will always share the same landing pad in Melrose, and of course, a common passion for lacrosse for years to come.
