JotCast | Mike White's high school sports chat: 01.11.22

Mike White's high school sports chat: 01.11.22

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Mike White

10:58

It's cold outside, but let's warm things up with some good discussion. Store is now open for questions or comments.

Francis

10:58

So Mike, let’s get it out of the way, when do you think the wpial will release their new conferences?

Mike White

11:01

Steering committees for all sports will be meeting in next week or two. They will start to put together sections and conferences. I would imagine football and other fall sports would be done rather quickly. But I know WPIAL sent a questionnaire to all ADs, asking some questions about their likes and preferences. I'm sure they will wait to get back those responses. In other words, don't look for anything in the next week or so.

Francis

11:02

Nearing halfway in basketball season, what has been the biggest surprise?

Mike White

11:02

Sorry. I really can't come up with one big surprise.

11:02

Is Braylon Littlejohn the next D1 player that will come out of Butler? Looks to be dripping with potential. RIP Calvin

Mike White

11:03

Easy, Nellie. Let's hold on a little. Yes, he's a nice player and has potential. But let's maybe become a starter on the varsity team first before we call him the next D1 player from Butler. I like the kid. Has talent. But let's see how things play out before we put that tag on him.

Coach O

11:03

How do you think the WPIAL should handle the 6A football scheduling/conference conundrum? I know you have said 5A schools don’t want a hybrid conference with them but 6 non conference games would be pretty crazy for those schools.

Mike White

11:05

That is a question that has many answers. Yes, it would probably be best for fans to have the 6A teams mix in conferences with 5A teams. Then maybe break out the 6A teams for playoffs. But I've got news for you. Most 5A teams want nothing to do with playing 6A teams, especially Central Catholic and some North Allegheny. I would not be surprised to see WPIAL still have 6A teams in own conference and the WPIAL schedule those 6A teams against 5A teams in non-conference games.

Wpialfan

11:06

Saw somewhere that Greensburg Salem had 90 students in votech, so therefore they only had to count 9. Is there really evidence that only 10% of votech kids might play sports? On the surface that number feels low and depending on the school could lead to a big advantage for them in their new class. 10% seems very arbitrary. Imo I believe it could be manipulated and schools could start saying kids are enrolled in these programs to count less and move down classes at will. Not accusing GS of anything; just using them as an example.

Mike White

11:07

I have no idea what the percentage is of vo-tech kids who play sports. PIAA doesn't, either. I don't think percentage is very high. That's why they came up with counting 10 percent of them.

Guest

11:10

Is Kayla Walter from Woodland Hills being recruited by UConn?

Mike White

11:10

Kayla Walter is a junior basketball player at Woodland Hills. I've never seen her play, but by accounts she is a nice player. But being recruited by UCONN? I have never heard of that.

dan

11:10

Lavar Arrington, was he most dominant hs player you saw?

Mike White

11:12

Yes, I'd probably say he's the most dominant I've seen. Because he dominated on both sides of the ball. Terrelle Pryor was up there, too, and so was Washington's Brian Davis in the 1980s. To be the most dominant in high school, I think you have to play both ways. LaVar ran for over 4,000 yards in the highest class and is one of the best linebackers ever from Western Pa. Was just elected to College Hall of Fame. The man is a legend.

11:12

Showdown this evening in boy's basketball 6A, Section 2 with USC v. Bethel Park. Both are undefeated in section play and overall USC is 8-1 and BP is 9-1. What's your take on the game and how does the Section 2 stack up in 6A?

Mike White

11:13

I'll be there. Haven't seen either team yet. I know Bethel has some size and likes to play 2-3 zone. USC would prefer more of a faster game. Should be an interesting one.

11:13

Who has the best Home Court advantage in the WPIAL?

Mike White

11:15

Oh, man. Good question. I think Quaker Valley is tough to beat at home. One, because they are usually a talented team. Two, because that small gym can be tough on opponents. But gyms aren't like the olden days in the 50s and 60s when many were small and gave a real home-court advantage. But it's good that those band boxes are gone.

Coach Z

11:15

Thoughts on the Moon/CV girls game Thursday night?

Mike White

11:15

I'll take Char Valley.

Guest

11:15

Is there any movement on whether their will be a shot clock in Pennsylvania? Is there an appetite for it locally?

Mike White

11:17

Here's the situation: National Federation adopted the rule but they are letting it up to each state association to decide if they want to adopt the rule, beginning in 2022-23 season. Most coaches I talk to want a shot clock. I did survey few years ago with all WPIAL coaches. Way over half would like shot clock. But honestly, I doubt you'll see it. PIAA brass doesn't seem to want it. They claim a number of schools don't want it because of cost.

movingscreen

11:18

I think the percentage of vo-tech students who play sports is not much lower than the overall student body. I think the percentage of students who play a sport in a co-op situation is much lower. I think they count the full enrollment against the other school in a co-op arrangement.

Mike White

11:18

Yes, when in a co-op with other school, they count full enrollment of other school. But other school usually is a small one.

11:18

Feels like New Castle and Laurel Highlands are on a collision course in 5A. Seem about right?

Mike White

11:19

Yes, they look like the top two teams right now, but they are not unbeatable. Far from it. Don't count out likes of Mars, Highlands, Gateway and Penn Hills.

AlmostGotBuzzCannedBandwagoner

11:19

The North Hills boys have a really good team, but seem to be lacking a bit of depth. How do you see that playing out as the season moves forward and could some talent be better developed at the frosh level?

Mike White

11:20

No, North Hills is certainly not deep. And please blame and rip the 9th grade coach for any North Hills troubles. He deserves it.

Coach Z

11:23

I'd say the Lincoln Park/Quaker Valley game would be the early favorite for boys game of the year. Any big matchups that you are looking forward too?

Mike White

11:26

Of course. Many big ones throughout the regular season. There is a big game in that Class 6A Section 1 just about every night - and those teams play each other three times. Central has to play Fox Chapel twice. Heck, this Saturday OLSH vs. Washington is a really interesting one. OLSH will likely be going for its 50th win in a row. Record is 52. Set in 1960s by Uniontown and tied in 1980s by ... Washington. How coincidental is that? Washington is 6-1 this season. And if OLSH wins, victory No. 52 could be against Serra. More coincidence: Serra broke Washington's 52-game streak in 1985.

Willy

11:26

Geno Stone maybe the last man to pick off Big Ben. Did you think he'd end of in the NFL when he was at New Castle?

Mike White

11:27

Yes, when Geno Stone was a senior I was going to predict that he'd be in the NFL and be picking off Ben. But I forgot. No, seriously. Anybody who says they could've predicted that is lying. Geno didn't even have a Power 5 offer until Iowa came along late. But good for him. Nice to see.

guyn412

11:28

I noticed that a lot of boys and girls games being postponed for whatever reason, assume it's Covid related. Do you know if the WPIAL has talked about giving any extra time to get section games completed if needed?

Mike White

11:28

Yes, COVID has caused some postponements. Right now, the WPIAL isn't putting in extra time for makeups. Right now, they don't need to. Cancel some non-section games if teams must to get in section games.

Quipper

11:28

Best guess as to what classification Aliquippa football is in next fall? The quotes from the PIAA don’t sound to favorable for Aliquippa. I think they get stuck in 5A against their wishes.

Mike White

11:28

Coach O

11:28

When are you starting up the BB podcast?

Mike White

11:29

We've had some COVID issues past few weeks. Hopefully this week or next week. I know you can't wait.

11:29

Bell Vernon went from 304 boys to 251 seems like a big drop. is this due to the vo-tech numbers.

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