Trenton White doesn’t mess around at the pool table. White, 14, has competed plenty in the Billiards Education Foundation and TAP League circuits over the last few years and the splash he’s making is even bigger than before. White just placed second in the 14U division in the 2019 Junior National 9-Ball Championships, held in Las Vegas from July 23-27, is now the second-ranked player in the country in his BEF age group and won a $500 scholarship for his efforts. He also just became a brand ambassador for Meucci Cues.
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Tell me about this tourney.
It was a four-day event, a big junior tournament. It was nerve-wracking, a little bit, but when I got out there and started playing, I was good.
You’ve played in plenty of big tournaments over the years and keep getting better. How do you get over your nerves and calm down enough to play this well?
When I start practicing, the nerves just go away as soon as I start playing.
Did you realize at some point in the tourney you were probably going to finish pretty strong, let alone second overall?
I just started playing good and went with the flow.
How did it feel to place so high?
It feels great, but I feel like I could do better.
What’s next on your schedule?
I don’t know. My mom finds a big tournament on her phone, we sign up and go to it. We have them pretty much every weekend. I also play on the Sunshine State Pro/Am Pool Tour and the Florida Pool Tour.
What’s your favorite tournament you’ve played in?
Vegas, the BEF. This past one.
And you just linked up with Meucci this weekend?
Yeah. It’s kind of like a sponsorship. They’re letting me use their cue and two shafts.
What’s the perfect cue like, at least for you?
Anything that I see pros playing with. Any cue that you feel comfortable with is a good one.
What’s some of the best advice you’ve gotten that’s helped you become the player you are today?
Probably looking at the object ball. When you get down to shoot, on your last stroke you should be staring at the object ball.
How often do you practice?
Every day for, like, three hours.