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Mike White's high school sports chat: 01.06.26
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Mike White
10:59
After a little holiday break, we're break and ready to talk. Store now open for questions.
Bill
10:59
Mohawk has a couple nice players in Bobby Fadden and Drew Wrona but can they overcome the speed and athletism of the Quips in their section?
Mike White
11:01
That Aliquippa-Mohawk game is Friday at Mohawk. No. 1 vs. No. 2. Should be a good one. I haven't seen either team yet, but I would expect close game. I've mentioned various times and written about Bobby Fadden. One of my favorite stories in WPIAL sports. Plays 5 sports. And he's adding to his legacy in basketball. Will get 2,000 career points at some point this season.
HsFan
11:01
Is there a more confusing team than Pine-Richland? Only 3-7 but they took Sewickley and New Castle to the wire. Most of their losses were close. It will be interesting to see how they do in the second half of section play.
Mike White
11:03
Very interesting. They were right with New Castle last night. Like I've said before, Class 6A Section 1 is really good as far as depth of pretty good teams. Even though Pine-Richland is 1-4 in section, they are good enough to beat anybody. I wouldn't say they are a confusing team. They just haven't been able to win some close games.
Playing up?
11:03
Good morning, Mike. Thank you for the list of schools playing up in the next PIAA classification cycle. I did not see Imani Christian basketball on that list. Are they locked into 6A for the next two years because they chose to play up, or do they revert to their natural classification?
Mike White
11:05
They are not locked into 6A. They used to be Class 1A. Would've been bumped up to 2A past two years because of transfers, but Imani chose to play in 6A. Not totally sure which class they will be in for next two years, because I don't know if they've had transfers. But they will be either 2A or 1A. They have not chosen to play up.
PIAA Formula
11:05
Hi Mike. Two teams voluntarily played up in the current cycle for boys basketball - Imani in 6A and Canevin in 3A - but are not playing up in the next cycle. They are both 1A in size. Are they allowed to drop that many classifications, or is there a limit on how many they can drop? Don’t know if there’s also a limit on Imani because of the PIAA success formula
Mike White
11:07
There is no limit on how many you can drop. But Imani would've been bumped to 2A the past two years because of PIAA competitive classification formula. Imani, though, chose to play 6A. As I said in previous post, they will be either 2A or 1A for next two years. Not sure which one because I don't know if they've had transfers the past two years. That is a factor in determining their class for next cycle.
Centurions
11:08
Rematch of last year‘s 3A WPIAL championship this week. GCC vs Shady Side.  Who are you picking?   I don’t know if they can stop Gribble.
Mike White
11:08
Really good one. I'll go with GCC.
Ryan
11:08
Who wins Fridays game Mars or Lincoln park Go mars and who wins Kiski vs plum Go Kiski
Mike White
11:08
I'll take Lincoln Park and Kiski.
HsFan
11:08
When did Eric James end up at Obama? Is he eligible for the playoffs?
Mike White
11:13
You're talking about Eric James who used to play at North Hills. Averaged 19 a game as a sophomore two seasons ago and made all-section. But left to go elsewhere. You're correct. He is now playing at Obama. Played his first game Saturday and had 17. He will definitely have a big effect. I know some City teams aren't too happy. But apparently he fits into eligibility rules. Will be eligible for postseason (City League playoffs and PIAA playoffs)? I don't know. Brad Everett is doing a little story on it later this week. Obama coach said he doesn't know James' postseason status. So we'll have to see. But you see so many college kids going everywhere because of transfer portal. Well it's like the transfer portal in high school, too. I'll give an example in next post.
11:18
Eric James is playing at Obama now. He's well traveled. At North Hills for 7th and 8th grade. Went to Lincoln Park and repeated 8th grade (didn't play). Back to North Hills and played there in freshman and sophomore years. Last June, he put on social media that he would be attending St. Benedict, a strong New Jersey program. But never went to school there. In 2024-25 season, he played for Green County in Kentucky. Had a good season. Was at Green County again for the start of this season. Played a few games for Green County. Left and is now back in Pittsburgh, playing for Obama. You can transfer midseason even if you played for another school. PIAA rule is you can transfer if you do it before you were eligible to play in 50% of games at previous school. Again, don't know his postseason status.
Concerned
11:18
Mike, do you know what happened to First love academy?  I hear the guy that ran it owes a lot of money
Mike White
11:20
I don't know anything about that. I just know program folded. I'm not sure if school is still open or not.
NC guy
11:20
Hi Mike. Always a pleasure. I was at the New Castle game last night. Pine Richland definitely has some good 3 point shooters and the 6'9" guy gave the Canes fits. They could have easily won the game. I look forward to the rematch at Pine Richland.
Mike White
11:22
You're talking about Doolin Stober of Pine-Richland. I think he's 6-7 or 6-8. He blocked a number of shots last night and also scored. He is a difference maker for Pine. He did not play last year. He is a volleyball player. He's going to Ohio State for volleyball. And yes, Pine has some shooters, too. Most notably Grant Spacciapoli. But they have some others, too.
BB Official
11:22
Mike as we head into the meat of the section schedule I am asking all fans to remember to cheer all you want for your team but refrain from negative comments at opposing players and officials. Remember HS sports is an extension of the classroom and the fans wouldn't be allowed to yell at players and coaches in the classroom. Lets have a great second half of the season as we continue to the WPIAL finals at the Pete.
Mike White
11:23
I hear ya.
Tony Jackson
11:23
Mike I understand we’re hurting for referees, but there should still be some level of accountability for how they perform their duties. Referees are the judge, jury, and executioner on the court yet the WPIAL does nothing to hold them to a consistent standard.
Mike White
11:26
Sorry, you're a little off base. WPIAL doesn't just any officials for playoffs. They have a system for selecting them. Are there some not-so-good officials? Sure. Just like there are some not-so-good coaches, and players and teams. Give the WPIAL and officials a break. It's not like there's this pool of thousands of officials to choose from. Officials are trying.
Lee Smith
11:26
What do you think about some of these teams scheduling in girls basketball? Male super easy non section schedules just to go undefeated. Geibel non-section team schedule record was like 19-89 last year an it’s the same way this year.
Mike White
11:27
I'm not getting into non-section schedules. Do some teams schedule weak non-section games? Sure. But to each his own.
40StripesRetired
11:27
Happy new year, Mike.  Little added piece of the story in last night's PR-NC game.  Steve McNees returns to Lawrence county.  Steve is the scoring leader at Shenango, coached by his father (and a good friend of mine), Bill McNees.  Nice quasi-homecoming for Coach McNees.
Mike White
11:29
Yep. I have known Steve for a long time. Really good guy. Used to cover him as a player. Former Post-Gazette Fab 5 player. Scored more than 2,000 career points. Have known his dad for a long time, too. Really neat to see his dad come out of retirement and is an assistant for his son. I love seeing things like that.
11:33
Just FYI. Friday is one of the best days of the season for big games. Aliquippa at Mohawk, Knoch at North Catholic, Allderdice at Obama, Serra at Neighborhood Academy, Shaler at Indiana, South Park at South Allegheny are just a few. And don't forget another 1 vs. 2 matchup tomorrow night with Chartiers Valley at Lincoln Park.
BB Official
11:35
Welcome back missed the CHAT the last few weeks. Hopefully Santa was good to you.
Mike White
11:37
One of best presents was from one of the White boys -- three T-shirts of old ABA teams. Love it. Most people on this chat won't know these teams, but I got shirts of Virginia Squires (first team Dr. J played for), Kentucky Colonels (remember Artis Gilmore) and Baltimore Claws. Those who remember old ABA and red, white and blue ball know what I'm talkin' bout'.
ABA
11:41
Hey Mike. I have a Virginia Squires and Kentucky Colonels t-shirt. We should totally hang out and watch old ABA games
Mike White
11:41
Definitely. I'll meet you. And if I'm not there, just keep waiting. I'll definitely show up.
11:43
Oh, I also have Pittsburgh Pipers and Pittsburgh Condors T-shirts. Got Pipers and Condors T-shirts at Yinzers in the Strip District. They've faded some because they're old. I've gone back to Yinzers a few times to get new ones. They haven't had the Pipers and Condors shirts. C'mon, Yinzers.
Walt Frazier
11:48
What is going on with GCC boys? Not only to lose, but letting a freshman score 35?
Mike White
11:50
Yes, the drop of GCC has been dramatic. They are 1-10. Averaging only 42 a game. It happens. Coach left after last season. Guess the well might have run dry at a program that is usually good.
BB Official
11:52
GCC playing lot of young people. All underclass. 2-3 freshmen a sophomore and Junior I think
Mike White
11:53
That explains some things. Building for the future looks like.
11:55
OK, guess that's about it. We're back now to every Tuesday at 11 through basketball season. But before I go, something I'm wondering. With Steelers playing Monday night, wonder if teams might move their games? Oh well, everyone be good.
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