Billiards is one of those games that’s easy for anyone to pick up, but difficult to actually master. Most big-time champions have spent years working their way up the ladder to make a name for themselves.
Here in Plant City, Trenton White’s on the verge of making his name known around pool circles nationwide – and he’s doing it at just 10 years of age.
White, Florida’s 14 & Under Boys Division 9-Ball champion, recently earned the right to play in the Billiards Education Foundation’s Junior National 9-Ball Championships. By winning the state championship on Wednesday, March 4, White booked himself a spot in the Las Vegas-based tournament this August.
“I feel good,” White says. “I’m looking forward to playing pool and, hopefully, winning.”
It’s a big accomplishment, for sure. But, since White is still fairly new to the game, it’s even more special for he and his family.
IN THE FAMILY
Trenton’s knack for shooting pool undoubtedly came from his father, Thomas, who was also a traveling competitor in his younger days.
“I used to tour and play in a lot of local tournaments,” he says. “I got out of it years ago.”
Thomas got his start shooting in Lakeland around age 16 and, until age 24, he competed in tournaments around Central Florida and, occasionally, North Florida. He learned more about the game from past state champion Tommy Kennedy but, once he stopped at 24, he didn’t come back to the game until 2011.
“We just had some down time,” Thomas says. “My wife played a part in getting me back into pool, here at the Silver Dollar. I brought (Trenton) out to Brandon Billiards one day, for leisure time, and he just took to it.”
According to the Whites, that seems to be the case for whichever sports Trenton takes up. They say he’s a natural athlete, but golf and billiards are what he’s best at. In fact, Trenton himself calls golf his favorite sport to play.
But, golf isn’t what he’s going to Vegas for this summer.
EARNING IT
That fateful day in Brandon Billiards was about two years ago, and Trenton has since come a long way. His quick learning inspired his father to get back into the game, primarily just to coach the boy, and it wasn’t too long before he began entering tournaments.
“He’s probably got about $500 saved in a bank account from tournament winnings, playing against adults,” Thomas says.
According to the family, Trenton had almost always played against adults in tournaments. He himself says that this juniors 9-ball tournament was a new experience for him.
“It was fun because I usually play in tournaments with adults, instead of kids,” he says. “That was my first junior tournament.”
Going through the tournament, White was sent into the losers bracket by a 13-year-old named Bobby Bruce Jr. Bruce, listed from Tallahassee, picked up the win by capitalizing on a shaky game by Trenton.
“He just put me in the losers bracket because I wobbled a lot of balls,” Trenton says.
Trenton worked his way through that bracket to earn a spot in the championship game, winning the semifinal by a score of 5-3. His reward for making the championship game was a rematch with Bruce.
The two boys went back and forth, each trading wins in the race to get to seven first. In the rubber match – the final – Bruce missed a crucial shot at the six ball, and Trenton was able to make him pay for it in the end.
Bruce got a trophy and a goody bag for his efforts. Trenton got his Vegas tournament entry fee paid in full.
THE TOURNEY
This venture to Vegas is a pretty big deal for Trenton, to say the least.
The BEF sends one champion from each division in each state to compete, and also sends some players who have won tournament qualifiers. The exact field isn’t set yet, but the competition will be both large and tough.
To help cover the other costs of this trip, the White family – “Team Trenton” – has begun to round up sponsors. Of course, two of his biggest sponsors are fairly local: Brandon Billiards, where he first started playing, and the Silver Dollar Saloon, which Thomas says has been very kind to the family over the years.
“Anna (Genko) is a great person, and (Trenton) is well-known up there,” Thomas says.
The Whites have set up donation jars at both locations, and have also put one at Wally’s Billiards in Lakeland.
Other sponsors include Robertson’s Billiards, which is supplying Trenton with a custom cue, Tandy Leather, which is donating leather to make Trenton a custom case, and the USF Bulls Club.
With plenty of time left between now and the Aug. 4 tournament start date, Trenton’s family is confident that they’ll be able to work out the financial stuff and go watch their son shoot some pool on the big stage.
“We’re gonna make it happen, one way or another,” Thomas says.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
SPONSOR INFO
The BEF Junior National Championships will be held in Las Vegas from Aug. 4-7, 2015, and the White family is looking for sponsors to help cover the travel costs.
Any persons or businesses who wish to sponsor Trenton White can contact his father, Thomas, at (813) 325-3226.