National POY WATCH: Top girls basketball recruit Jatarie White outscored a dozen teams by herself

From many, there will be one. And while there’s still no guarantee contending athletes will win their own state at this point in the season, a number of elite performers are making a case for Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year consideration. Here’s the scoop the latest top candidate.

Jatarie White
Junior forward, Providence Day School (Charlotte, N.C.)

Greatness Present: Over a span of more than a month from Jan. 4 to Feb. 8, the 6-foot-3 White nearly outscored a dozen teams by herself during Providence Day's 12-0 stretch, scoring 236 points to her opponents’ 267. Blue Star Basketball’s No. 2-ranked national recruit in the Class of 2013 has averaged 19.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.3 blocks and 1.9 steals for a Chargers (24-4) squad that allows just 28.9 points per game and enters the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 3A state tournament as the No. 1 seed.

Greatness Past: A three-time NCISAA Class 3A All-State selection, White led Providence Day to back-to-back state titles as a sophomore and junior. Playing for the U16 National Team, she ranked fourth in scoring and third in rebounding during USA Basketball’s gold medal run at the 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championships.

Greatness Future: Undecided

Make no mistake: The Gatorade State Girls Basketball Player of the Year races aren’t over, and the National POY race is now heating up. Time remains for one standout student-athlete among thousands to rise to the top of our list. Check back for daily updates on the top contenders making their case.