The Eyes Have It : El Camino Coach Needs Only a Glance to See If His Star Has That Look

When he steps on the court here this afternoon at Toso Pavilion, Paul Landreaux’s eyes will focus on Charles White.

The El Camino College basketball coach will want to know if his star guard “has come ready to play.”

Landreaux need only gaze into the icy pregame stare that is White’s trademark to see if the hungry look is there. Then he should know if the 6-6, 190-pound sophomore is ready.

He’d better be.

El Camino plays West Valley College of Coalinga at 5 at Santa Clara in the opening round of the California community college basketball championships. For the Warriors (30-3) to win their third state title in the ‘80s, White must strap himself into his size 14 high tops and terrorize opponents during this three-day tournament.

All agree that he is capable of dominating this affair if he plays up to his ability.

But White, an early signer with Purdue, has not played as well as in his freshman season.

“I did not have a good season,” he said bluntly.

In early February that frustration came to a head. He and teammate Arlandis Rush were kicked off the team for starting a fight during a game. Landreaux accused White of “having a ghetto mentality,” a charge that stung the 20-year-old. Both were reinstated, but White has not forgotten.

“I made a mistake,” he said. “I think Coach made a mistake when he said that.”

The rhubarb brought more questions about White’s tailing performances. A year ago he led El Camino in scoring. This season he is second to swing man Kirkland Howling. A year ago he averaged 18.5 points a game. This year he managed 15.4.

“My jumper just was not like it was last year,” he said.

But he improved in rebounding (8.5 to 8.9 a game) and his defensive work has been vastly better.

He shared the most valuable player award in the South Coast Conference with Howling. That makes him a candidate for the state player of the year honor. His performance this weekend, if El Camino advances to the state final Saturday night, could earn him that honor.

It would be a boon for Purdue if he did. Dick Vitale, a former coach and outspoken television commentator for ESPN, mentioned that Purdue had landed a good prospect in White. But which White will show up? Will it be “Chuckie,” the guy Purdue is getting? (Boilermaker assistant Bruce Webber has already hung that nickname on him). Or will Charles (as Landreaux calls him) make a timid appearance?

Answered White: “When it is a big game, I come to play. You only play for a state championship once.”

Landreaux says White’s sullen glare will be the first sign.

“I call it the eyes of a tiger,” Landreaux said. “When he has that look, I know he is ready to play. I always look into his eyes before a game.”

In some games this year the tiger was a pussycat.

Said Landreaux: “I can think of many games when Charles has been out to lunch.”

White demonstrated the two sides last week in back-to-back regional playoff games at El Camino. In a 60-53 win over Saddleback College, White went to the free throw line four times in the first half. His first three shots were air balls. He fouled out with only nine points.

“It was mental,” he explained. “I was not ready to play against Saddleback.”

But the next time out against Allan Hancock of Santa Maria, White had what Landreaux termed “an unbelievable game.” He connected on 11 of 12 field goal attempts and scored 26 points.

“He had some dunks that were unbelievable,” repeated Landreaux. “Awesome.”

White was pleased: “I thought that was my best game of the year.”

White criticized himself for hot-and-cold performances: “I have been complacent. Last year I was more hungry.”

Purdue’s Webber liked White’s “intensity” when he sought his services.

“Lots of JC recruits definitely don’t get (taught) intensity,” he said. “We like (White’s) intensity.”

Landreaux and White say White’s early signing may have had something to do with his uneven performances.

“Once a kid gives a commitment (to a four-year school), his mental outlook kind of wanders,” Landreaux said.

The other day at a Mexican food restaurant across from the El Camino campus, White did not appear the type of guy that would let his mind wander. He explained that he needed an associate of arts degree by June to enroll at Purdue this summer. Because his scholastic aptitude results were low, White did not qualify to go directly from high school to college.

“It was sad coming out of high school,” he said. “No one recruited me.

“I realize now it’s all up to me.”

Applying himself in classes at Monrovia High School was difficult. But at El Camino he has hopes of making up for lost time. He is taking 18 units this semester. At Purdue he will major in restaurant management.

White’s attitude was far from lackadaisical as he answered questions. And he asked many.

“I have never been shy,” he said.

His career has been tattooed by success. Besides his awards at El Camino, he was a Times high school All-San Gabriel Valley selection and league most valuable player.

But that almost went down in a heap when Landreaux, a noted disciplinarian, reacted with anger after White hurled a basketball at Pasadena City College player Darren Gipson last month. The action precipitated a bench-clearing shoving match. Ironically, White has known Gipson for years: “It was stupid. I was upset.”

But he took issue with having a “ghetto mentality.”

“When you say I have a ‘ghetto mentality’ you are saying I am a bad person. My mom was really upset by that. I don’t think I have a ghetto mentality. I don’t think (Coach Landreaux) believes I have a ghetto mentality.”

White says he is an excitable player who wants to cheer great plays.

“I can see how someone could think I was showing off,” he said with a hint of remorse in his voice.

White says he’ll keep the celebrating to a minimum this week--until El Camino wins the state title.

“We are the best team in California,” he said.

If the right Charles White shows up, the Warriors will have a chance to prove it.