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Mike White's high school sports chat: 01.04.22
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Mike White
11:01
Hey, everyone. Hope the holidays were good. Let's get right to some talk.
WPIAL Pigskin
11:01
Hey Mike!  Loved the coverage of the Quaker Valley/Lincoln Park game before Christmas.  I saw LP had a "COVID outbreak" during the middle of a 3 day tournament when they were supposted to play a highly ranked team.  I fear other teams may have "COVID outbreaks" when trying to possibly avoid a tough section opponent in the week to come.  Is there any firm policy set by the WPIAL that teams must make up section games?
Mike White
11:02
Yes, Lincoln Park had to call off a few games. The WPIAL lets individual schools decide whether to cancel games. But the league wants teams to make up section games. At least that is the way it is right now. Hopefully everyone can get through the next few weeks without too many problems and any section games can be made up.
WPIAL Pigskin
11:02
Mike, I asked you about this in the fall but figured you may know now, is the WPIAL going to do "playback games" to determine PIAA qualifiers this year or still use the archaic "Follow the Leader" format
Mike White
11:02
I do not believe they will have playback games.
WPIAL Pigskin
11:04
Char Valley Boys, best 0-7 team in WPIAL History?  I still say they will make the playoffs this year.
Mike White
11:07
Sorry WPIAL Pigskin, but that isn't exactly a bold statement. Yes, Chartiers Valley is 0-7 but CV has played a tough schedule. CV is certainly not a real good team, but c'mon. They play in a six-team section. There is New Castle, West Allegheny, Trinity, South Fayette and Moon. Four of the six go to the playoffs, so it doesn't take a ton to make the playoffs. Plus, if two teams tie for fourth and they split head-to-head, they both go. So, Char Valley could conceivably go 2-8 in section and maybe make the playoffs. So you see what I mean?
Coach O
11:08
Happy New Year Mike. Look forward to another year of your coverage. One question about PIAA six points rule. Take Aliquippa. With completion of this two year cycle, starting in August do their points get reset to 0? And if they don’t have combination of transfers and success points at end of 23 season they technically will be free to choose the classification they play in again?
Mike White
11:09
Yes, success points go back to 0 at start of 2022-23 school year. Honestly, I'm not sure what classification Aliquippa could be in if they don't get bumped up after 2023. Not sure what the PIAA rules say about that.
LeboKid
11:09
Hello, Mike. Your coverage/knowledge of high school hoops is prolific, but have you considered providing some high school wrestling coverage? If you look at post-high school performance, WPIAL alums are at the top of the podium in every national and international competition. Thanks, Mike!
Mike White
11:11
For performance in college, I'm not sure any WPIAL sport can touch wrestling, as far as tops in the country. I know that. I did a pretty big story a few years ago on how great wrestling is in Western Pa. I do a wrestling feature here and there. But we have Steve Rotstein and Ken Wunderley who handle our wrestling coverage. Props to them. They don't need much of my help and know about 2,000 times more about wrestling than me.
Finland
11:11
Any hoopla on the new classes lately? Moving up or downers?
Mike White
11:12
All classifications will be released by PIAA by end of the week. Stay tuned.
Joanne
11:12
What are your thoughts on the Chartiers Valley basketball program?
Mike White
11:13
I talked about it a little above. They are 0-7 but certainly not a bad team. They obviously aren't a real good team, either. But section play might give them some hope.
Big Ben
11:13
Mike hope you had a wonderful holiday! So is it me or do some basketball teams around the area seem smaller and or not have the talent level as much anymore? And I’m talking about some 3,4,5a schools. Is that on coaching or something else?
Mike White
11:17
C'mon, man. I don't know how long you've lived here or followed Western Pa. basketball. But it's been well-documented many times how district basketball isn't what it used to be, in terms of individual talent. It's not anything like the 1950s, 60s or 70s. But we still have our very good teams in boys basketball in some years. OLSH just won a state title a year ago with an undefeated record. Moon won a state title in 5A a few years ago and beat a Philly team in the championship. That's just recently. Yes, it's hard to win state titles in the big classes because of the presence of Philly schools. But don't start putting it on the coaching.
Chuck
11:17
Will the basketball championships be at the pete or Duquesnes new building? And will Robert Morris have some playoff games again?
Mike White
11:19
WPIAL hasn't made an announcement yet. But I would say expect the finals to be at The Pete.
John
11:19
What are your thoughts of the freshman (Jayden Davis) ? 2. What do you think of kids shooting over 30 field goals in a basketball game?
Mike White
11:23
You're talking about Chartiers Valley freshman Jayden Davis. I saw him in a fall league game and have watched 2-3 of his games on film. Most certainly has talent. Small, but very quick and can score on deep 3's and pullups. Yes, he shoots it. A lot. Takes some bad shots. But maybe that's what Chartiers Valley wants. I don't know. Taking 30 shots in a high school game is a lot, but maybe that's OK with some coaches. Now when you start getting up to regularly taking high 30s and even 40 shots, that's really a little mind-blowing.
Big Ben
11:23
I was asking if coaching could have an impact on it. Not blaming any coaches because as a former coach I know this ain’t easy lol. It just seems like the numbers in the last few years have dropped and you only have a few good teams per section lol
Mike White
11:26
Numbers of Division I players in WPIAL boys has been low for years. It's not a new thing. As for the number of good teams per section, yes that has dropped. But that's a by-product of six classes. Six classes has watered things down. It's the exact same in football. There are good coaches and not great coaches in every sport. It's been that way since the start of high school sports.
The Bandit
11:26
Jasmine Timmerson just committed to Pitt WBB.  So Pitt has secured arguably the top 2022 & 2023 Wpial player.  Duquesne and St Francis have 5+ wpial players in their programs.  RMU has MacKenzie Amalia.  Great new arena in Moon.  Do you know if RMU recruits many local players.  It would seem like a great option.  Now they are in Horizon league.  Other schools like Oakland U have offered more Wpial players than RMU it seems??
Mike White
11:29
Yes, Robert Morris doesn't get WPIAL girls players except here and there. It seems like they might not recruit WPIAL a ton. In the past, they have been big on foreign players. But I agree with you in that you would think Robert Morris would recruit this area more heavily. Then again, they have done fairly well in their conference over the years by doing things their own way.
Smitty
11:29
Big night of section games for the boys.  PR v NH.  Who ya got and why?
Mike White
11:32
Actually, it's not a great night for big games. Very few. Yes, Pine-Richland vs. North Hills is one of the better games. But that Class 6A Section 1 has big games every night. Brutal section with those two, North Allegheny, Butler and Seneca. As for who will win Pine vs. North Hills, I'm not picking. I'm in a no-win situation no matter who I pick. All I know is it should be a very good game. Does North Hills continue its pace of scoring 80 or more? Pine-Richland has some players who can do things offensively also. One other thing. I don't think you'll see a slow pace in this game.
Finland
11:32
In my opinion the numbers have dropped because basketball has become a year round endeavor that some kids aren’t cut out for
Mike White
11:34
No way. Many sports are close to year-round now. That might keep a kid here and there away from playing, but it doesn't explain the drop in talent. Look at how girls basketball is almost year-round now. Yet, WPIAL is still producing many girls who get Division I scholarships.
Finland
11:34
Do you see montour QV or LP coming out on top of their section
Mike White
11:35
Don't forget about Montour. I can't pick a winner in that section yet. Too early. Montour will be right in the thick of it. Maybe those three will tie for section title.
WPIALGUY
11:43
Merry Christmas, Mike. Hope you and your family had a great holiday! Quick question about 3A. I see that Neshannock knocked off Union the other night. Union just a had a big win over another 3A school in Ellwood. Any other teams in 3A that are contenders?
Mike White
11:46
Well WPIALGUY, I'd say Class 3A is the most open of any of the classifications. There is certainly no overwhelming favorite. I thought Ellwood City was before the season, because it was the defending champs and returned starters. I still think Ellwood is pretty good. But you have Neshannock, Avonworth, Shady Side Academy, Seton LaSalle, Laurel and Washington and Brentwood. All of them could be worthy of ranking in top five. Honestly, you might see a number of teams in that top five this year because of the parity.
Smitty
11:48
Are you surprised by USC boys starting 6-1?. Bethel park has a 7-1 record but they have played some pretty weak competition.  Is there a chance that BP is actually that good?
Mike White
11:50
No, I'm not surprised at USC. Yes, the Panthers lost all five starters to graduation, but they have a "program" there. Not just a flash-in-the-pan team every once in a while. Now, I don't think USC can win WPIAL title this year again, but Danny Holzer is one of the best coaches around. No surprise at all. Plus, they have some talent.
11:52
As for Bethel Park, I think they are decent. Obviously, because they are 7-1. Yes, they have not had a tremendous schedule, but Bethel still has a couple good wins. Plus, they have Dolan Waldo, who is 6-7 and most certainly a player to watch. An IUP recruit. But don't forget about Mt. Lebanon that section, either.
Slick Rick
11:52
Zone or man?  If zone, what is your favorite?  If man, pressure or pack line?
Mike White
11:53
Of course, most any coach would rather play man. But sometimes you might not have the personnel or talent to play man full time. I've always liked a 1-3-1 a little. Can do a variety of things out of it.
Bingo
11:53
Will any wpial players be drafted in the NFL draft this year? Can’t think of any off the top of my head
Mike White
11:54
Jaquan Brisker of Gateway and Penn State. He could be in the first couple rounds. One of best safeties in draft.
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