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Mike White's high school sports: 01.03.22
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Mike White
11:00
Happy New Year, everyone. It's ugly day weather-wise. I've already been out a little bit and it just seems like you feel this somber mood in places. I think a lot of people are thinking about Damar Hamlin. Prayers to him and his family. We can still talk about high school sports. Chat is now open for business.
Football Guy
11:08
Hoping/praying that Damar recovers.  Will never forget this happened at a WPIAL football game, Ringold at Mt. Lebanon, I think it was 1980. Bruce Groomes (sp?) was the Ringold student athlete who died that night.  We in Lebo still remember and pray for the memory of Bruce.
Mike White
11:10
Yep, you are correct Football Guy. It was indeed Bruce Groomes. I was in college at the time, but still working part-time at paper. I remember it well. It was indeed 1980 also. He went into cardiac arrest on field. But it wasn't from a hit. I even checked the stories. An autopsy found he had a heart problem. Died of a chronic heart disorder. Heart was enlarged somewhat also.
11:13
OK we are 10 minutes into chat and only one comment/question. Had technical problems with chat a few weeks ago. Could it be again? Or maybe no one wants to talk. If you're on here, and have a question, fire away.
Hoop Junkie
11:16
Is Chartiers Valley the real deal this year?  10-0 start going into a brutal section schedule.
Mike White
11:18
Hey, give CV some credit. They have some pretty good wins. Mt. Lebanon. Peters Township. At Hampton. They have no size, but little Jayden Davis is a whirlwind. Averaging mid 20s. Sleva kid has improved also. They have virtually no size, but can shoot it and Davis can be a handful. Section play begins tonight. Will be interesting.
Basketball
11:18
Is Joe Roth the most important player to his team in the Wpial. I have seen a lot of good players this year but in my opinion none more important to his team than him.
Mike White
11:20
You can't say he's the most "important" player in the WPIAL. Yes, he is vital to his team. They might struggle without him. But there are other players who are rather important, too. I will say this: Joseph Roth is one of my favorite stories in high school sports past few years. Sate champ swimmer and state record holder in swimming. And averaging over 20 a game in basketball? Who does this? I marvel at him.
Rock
11:20
Is 6A as weak as it seems? This was to be a down year perhaps for New Castle but they are ranked #1 in 6A.
Mike White
11:21
There is no overly strong team in 6A WPIAL. Good teams, but I don't see anyone who might win a state title. That doesn't mean there aren't some pretty good ones. New Castle is New Castle. No size, but they still win. Section play starts tonight. Really good game Friday New Castle at Butler.
Hoops junky
11:21
What are your thoughts on 4A boys? It looks to be the deepest and toughest Class of them all.   Lincoln park, Laurel Highlands, NC, Hampton, BV, Highlands, Uniontown
Mike White
11:22
Yes, 4A might be the best, as far as depth of quality teams. I take that back. It is the best. 5A not bad, either, at least as far as the number of good teams.
WPIAL BBALL
11:23
As section play opens up for a lot of boys teams...Games you like tonight and a couple players that could be in the headlines tomorrow?
Mike White
11:24
Tonight is a really good night for big games. I call it "Terrific Tuesday." Six games involving top five teams. In Class 5A, No. 1 Penn Hills plays host to No. 5 Fox Chapel, while No. 2 Mars plays at No. 3 North Hills.
In Class 4A, No. 5 North Catholic plays at No. 1 Lincoln Park, while No. 3 Highlands plays host to Hampton.
In Class 1A, No. 3 Carlynton travels to No. 2 Union, while No. 1 Imani Christian plays No. 5 Neighborhood Academy.
Bill
11:24
Some big games tonight in 4 and 5A. will you be covering any of them? Also, do you think North Catholic can hang with LP?
Friends
11:26
Seems like every new cycle there are new 1A schools I have never heard of. Neighborhood Academy? Hillel Academy? What can you tell me about these schools
Mike White
11:26
I mentioned the big games above. Sure, I think North Catholic can hang with Lincoln Park.
11:28
Hey Friends, about the new schools. All I can tell you about Hillel Academy is what's on their web site. They are an  Orthodox Jewish school in Pittsburgh. All I can tell you is they have played only two games, according to our records. As for Neighborhood Academy, they are pretty decent. They are 8-0 and in our top five rankings. They have Courtney Wallace Jr., son of former Perry star and P-G Fab 5 player Courtney Wallace, who played at Duquesne University. Young Courtney is pretty good from what I hear.
OaklandLegend
11:28
Have you heard anything on the Central Catholic football position?
Mike White
11:29
I think application deadline was just in the past day or two. I'm sure they will start interviews. Name I hear at lot is Steve Bezila, the offensive coordinator.
WpialFan
11:29
Man...The Damar Hamlin stuff has me feeling very depressed this morning and I had trouble sleeping last night. Seems like everyone who came in contact with him loved him and he obviously made an impact on people not only in Pittsburgh but Buffalo. Another sad aspect is that Tyler Boyd and Dane Jackson were two of the players next to him as it happened. Can you just speak to your interactions with Damar?
Mike White
11:34
I dealt with Damar Hamlin a few times while he was at Central Catholic. I found myself thinking back last night to his days at Central, and what I remember. I remember he had one of the most ridiculous, hardest hits I've seen in the state championship game, I believe in 2015. My memories of him at Central was that he was, first, he was really good as a player. And secondly, he was pretty good for a quote. Here's a "Blue Chip Chat" with him going into senior season: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2015/08/16/Bl...
WpialFan
11:34
On another note, OLSH has looked beatable so far and 3A seems to be wide open. Who do you think will challenge OLSH the most there?
Mike White
11:36
OLSH isn't as good as last couple seasons. One simple reason: OLSH doesn't have Dante Spadafora or a Jake DiMichele any longer. Doesn't mean OLSH still isn't good. Just not as strong. Watch out for Steel Valley and Makhai Valentine. They lost some early games, but have all football players back now. Valentine is averaging 34 a game. One of the best WPIAL players, unquestionably. Averaging 5 3's a game also. Shady Side looks to be very good also. But Steel Valley plays at OLSH Friday in a big game.
Coaching
11:38
I get Bezila if Cent Cath stays in-house.  If they go outside, they should seriously consider Donta Green if he's interested.  If he's not interested, he should be.
Mike White
11:40
I've talked to Donta. Reps from Woodland Hills contacted him. Not sure if anyone from Central contacted him, but I would probably guess some rep from Central, maybe an alum, contacted him. But Donta told me two weeks ago that he has no plans to leave Westinghouse - right now. Maybe in the future, but not now. He said he feels he needs to stay at Westinghouse right now. He said, “I still feel there is a ton of work to do. I feel like God wants me in this place in this time of my life.”
GhostofArtBernardi
11:48
Hi Mike - provided neither team is looking past their game tonight, this Butler/New Castle tilt on Friday has the makings of another classic between these two schools (remembering back to the John Sarandrea and Mark Jula days here, I'm sure your memory stretches further than that).  What do you see bending first, the high scoring Butler offense or that stingy Hurricane defense?
Mike White
11:50
Well, first off, neither Butler or New Castle should look past tonight. New Castle plays host to NA. Don't be too fooled by NA's record. They still are capable of beating good teams. And Butler plays at Seneca Valley. Seneca is pretty decent. Don't be fooled by Seneca's record, either. Lost some close games. As for Butler and New Castle, it's pretty simple. Guard play will determine outcome. Why? Because neither team has any size, but good guards. I don't think you'll see a starter on either team taller than 6-2 or 6-3. But I bet it will be a good game to watch. I plan on being there. So, Butler AD Bill Mylan please make room somewhere for this mature, crafty veteran sports writer.
11:55
Well I guess that does it for today. Extremely light day with questions. We'll do it again next Tuesday at 11 a.m. Everyone, be good.
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