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Mike White's high school sports chat: 01.08.19
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Mike White
11:00
How goes it, everyone. Happy New Year. My resolution is to do this live chat every Tuesday at 11 a.m. through basketball season. Sound good? Let's get started. Fire away.
11:01
What's been going on lately? You might ask. Well, we're in the heart of section play in WPIAL basketball. Heck, first half of section play ends next week.
John Steigerwald
11:01
Looking at PIAA brackets for classes 4A, 5A, and 6A....looks like it will end up being very difficult for a WPIAL Team to get to Hershey in those categories.  Any teams you think can do it in those upper classifications?
Mike White
11:03
6A will be very tough. No one is beating Kennedy Catholic on this side. But Allderdice coach Buddy Valinsky told me brackets have been changed. It was thought Allderdice, if they win the City, would have to maybe play Kennedy in a play-in game. Buddy says not so. It has been changed. I don't have the brackets yet. But yes it will be hard for 4A, 5A and 6A to make it. But Mars made it in 5A last year.
Fawn Lebowitz
11:04
OK who is the dark horse for USC coach ? Todd Haley ? Jason Gildon ? Who is your bet ?
Mike White
11:05
Sean Lee. Jerry Jones is coming also to finish the stadium renovation. I hear he might put a dome on the stadium also. And Rich Dalrymple will be hired as the first high school SID.
11:06
On the other hand, I'd put my money on assistant Mike Junko getting the job.
North side Jim
11:06
A couple surprise boys teams so far have been Upper St. Clair and Seton LaSalle I thought.  Any other boys teams you see doing better than you thought?
Mike White
11:07
There is no danger of a WPIAL 6A team winning a state title. Upper St. Clair's start has been tremendous. Great job by Dukey Holzer. But if USC is the No. 8 team in the state, then I'm Lil Wayne.
11:08
I will say this about 6A: There is not a great team, but some really nice depth of pretty decent teams. I think right now there are 6 or 7 teams that could make noise in the playoffs. The South Hills section is as good as it has been in a while.
11:10
Did you see that Aliquippa's M.J. Devonshire will most likely choose between Pitt and Ohio State. WVU was thought to be his leader for some time. Would be a nice get for Pitt. ... Devonshire and Daequan Hardy were the P-G Players of the Year. He had the great state title game. But one game isn't going to change all that much. Pitt showed a little interest, but doesn't look like the Panthers want him. Akron recently offered. He also has Toledo. Looks like he'll end up in the MAC.
X
11:10
Any rumors as to MJ Devonshire and if Pitt or OSU is in the lead?
Mike White
11:11
Not sure on that one. M.J. brings up good points for both schools. This may come down to a signing-day decision.
John
11:12
What was your thoughts of the Saturday Jamfest scores at Penn Hills?
Mike White
11:13
Ahhhh the score said the team with more points won. .... Woooo hoooo. I'll be here all week tip your waitresses. Try the veal.
11:15
But seriously, I don't think that much. McKeesport beat Central. I thought that would be an even game. Penn Hills crushed Jeannette. No surprise. Serra beating Highlands by 13 or so was a little eye opening.
central fan
11:15
mike first time long time. for years allderdice has been the team I love to hate, but since my kid graduated theyve become my favorite - probably because I grew up playing against buddy. imo nobody gets their kids to buy in on D better then him. I saw what they did to latrobe this year and mars last year in person and from what i read they really gave the blue chipper fits. where you at that game? best backcourt (by far) in the area? ive watched the dartmouth recruit for a few years and it looks like they got themselves a player. and the kid going to SRU will do well there. should be a good one at USC - but I think their center will do damage - who do you have in that showdown?
Mike White
11:17
Buddy Valinsky does great job. Has been for years. Allderdice lucky to have him. He could do well in WPIAL. They defend, are disciplined, run things. Yes, I was at Latrobe-Allderdice game. Jackson Blaufeld is Dartmouth recruit. I've always liked him. Bobby Clifford (Slippery Rock) has taken his game to another level. Really like him this year. I'll take Dice over USC I'd say by 12.
John Steigerwald
11:17
What happened to Belle Vernon basketball?  They have been getting destroyed and don't look like they will be making the playoffs after being ranked in the preseason!
Mike White
11:19
Class 4A is extremely weak, as far as depth of good teams. Hard to find five good teams to rank every week. Belle Vernon ranking was based a lot on last year. Obviously, they lost a lot. Remember, they were down before the last few years. Going to guess they don't have much talent. And remember all those games that new coach Joe Salvino won at Monessen. Never been through anything like this.
X
11:19
I saw Butler vs. McDowell.   Butler has  a freshman that is a good player, but Morton doesn't have a lot of help.  Sure, there are kids that can hit some wide open 3 pointers he gets them, but not many that can create.  It looks like Jeffers at McDowell is also limited by his supporting cast. Do you think Butler has a good chance to win the WPIAL?
Mike White
11:21
I saw Morton for first time this season the other night. One of best pure passers in WPIAL I've seen in a while. Throws left handed passers across the court to open people. Good in screen-roll reads. He's averaging 27. I get the feeling people think he should make six 3's every game and score 40. Geez. He's really good. He's 6-6, can play the point and is great passer. You think colleges don't like that? Yes, Butler can win WPIAL. But could also lose in the quarterfinals, like a number of other 6A teams.
Fawn Lebowitz
11:21
Why the snark for USC athletics Mike ?
Mike White
11:22
Snark??? Please. Guy asked if Todd Haley might be new USC coach. Or Jason Gildon. And you want a serious answer to that??? Please.
Fawn Lebowitz
11:25
Why wouldn't Jason Gildon ? He coached a HS team. Todd Haley is still a USC resident
Mike White
11:25
Again, please.
Candace
11:25
Who are side judges more happy to see retire...Palko at West A or Mr. Personality at USC?
Mike White
11:27
Jimmie. But WPIAL is losing many of the good ones who stayed around long and built programs.
The South Will Rise
11:27
Peter's and North Allegheny girls teams are the only undefeated teams left in 6A.  Do you think there is a definite rematch heading our way in the WPIAL Championship.  If so, who has the edge in your estimation?
Mike White
11:28
Hey The South Will Rise, this is the weekly question regarding Peters and North Allegheny girls. OK, I'll bite. Yes, I see an NA-Peters rematch.
John Steigerwald
11:28
Have you been to NA yet this year?  I haven't, but curious if they changed their music man.  Still remember slow country songs being played before a game there last year.  I know music really doesn't matter before a game, but when you play that strange stuff, you are looking for attention.
Mike White
11:28
Have not been there yet. Wonder if "Ring of Fire" or "I kissed a girl and liked it" is still on the playlist?
X
11:28
Any scuttlebutt that Lamont Wade is losing patience at PSU?
Mike White
11:29
No idea. I saw a story that he talked about his time coming next season. Sometimes, you have to be patient in college.
Spanky
11:29
Do you see any girls teams winning states like Mars last year?
Mike White
11:30
Man that's hard to say right now. I think a 6A team has a shot. Maybe North Catholic also. I would expect two at the most.
Nate
11:30
Back to football, any word on Lebo football opening?
Mike White
11:33
Not yet. I know one guy who applied who has a tie to the area through his father. He is intriguing. His name is Austin Karcher, who is an offensive coordinator and QB coach at a high school in Florida. He's 30 and would like to move back here. His dad is Ken Karcher, former Parade All-American QB at Shaler who once, as a sophomore, beat Dan Marino and Central Catholic on a muddy Saturday afternoon game at Shaler. Ken has been around and was once OC under Johnny Majors at Pitt. Ken played at Notre Dame, Tulane and had a cup of coffee with Denver Broncos.
The South Will Rise
11:33
Mike, I would add the Chartiers Valley Girls team to the list of possible state champions.  They are loaded and well coached.
Mike White
11:35
Oh yes, without a doubt. I saw them last week. Very good. Have a big girl and excellent guards - and they are young. Definite favorite to win WPIAL and I could see them going to Hershey. Look for bigger story later this week on Tim McConnell now coaching CV girls.
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