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Mike White's high school sports chat: 01.12.21
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Mike White
10:59
Well, there have now been three days of basketball games since the re-start of winter sports. Keep fingers crossed people stay healthy, No. 1 - and maybe we can have some kind of season No. 2. But there will be hiccups with many teams.
Let's get started. Fire away with questions.
Charger Fan
11:00
Hey Mike - pretty decent basketball game tonight in AA Section 1. My beloved OLSH Chargers head to Springdale (not sure we've ever made that trip up the Allegheny Valley), which has a nice team, all 5 starters back. I've done a little research on Springdale, they're a solid squad that doesn't lose much at home...beat Sto-Rox last year up there. But...these are the Chargers...so who ya got?
Mike White
11:02
Could be a good one. I don't see many 2A teams staying with OLSH. Maybe Springdale could be one. Springdale's Dimitri Fritsch one of WPIAL's top seniors. Extremely versatile. Should be interesting him and Spadafora. But I'll take OLSH.
Dan
11:02
After seeing some games last week, what’re your thoughts on how schools and teams are doing with all the mask debates, sanitizing etc?
Mike White
11:03
They're doing fine. Precautions being taken. First off, it seems most are allowing only maybe two or three people per home player. No visiting fans yet. Good idea. Benches are like those in college, NBA. Kids spreading apart. Everybody seems to be trying.
Hooper
11:04
With montour beating qv, and usc beating Lp by a lot, is montour legit and is the 4a favorite someone else now? Yes I know it’s one game just wanna hear your thoughts haha
Mike White
11:06
Montour beating QV was an eye opener. But it's not like Montour has been bad past couple years. Played many teams tough. Definitely puts Montour in top five but I wouldn't characterize anyone in 4A right now as definite favorite. We'll put Belle Vernon No. 1. But there still is Lincoln Park. Now Montour. Quaker Valley will still be a big factor. North Catholic also. 4A should be interesting.
Cityman
11:06
Mike, What is your take on city league bringing in winter sports.  I am for it, but I also see the other side of the coin where they should be prioritizing students with academic and life skill needs. Thoughts?  Not sure if any answer is right
Mike White
11:08
About time. They never even started practicing Nov. 20 in the city before shutdown. They've had nothing. I understand taking precautions, but it's for those players, coaches and parents when they see everyone else starting. But let's take a step back now. At least they are going to have a season.
RJ
11:08
Mike, I've watched both USC basketball games and am really impressed. They ran two good teams completely out of the gym. Anything can happen, but is it USC vs. the field right now?
Mike White
11:11
USC is really, really good. No surprise, though. Remember, they almost beat Butler twice in playoffs last year (WPIAL and state). Danny Holzer is proving again to be among the best around. Couple things make them great. They don't have great size, but they have great mix of basketball players - and athletes (football players) who are tough dudes and also have basketball skills and care about basketball. They defend well, really good at trapping on defense, play together and they truly now have five guys on court who can all stroke it from 3. Tough to defend balance like that. And they seem to like each other and play well together. Gensler the best player but they all play their roles so well. I would have Butler No. 2 right now. After that, it's pretty open.
Red Raider Fan
11:11
With Uniontown leaving WPIAL football on Monday, the WPIAL now has an even number of teams. Do you see them rescheduling to eliminate all open dates? If so, when do you expect schedules to be released?
Mike White
11:12
Have no idea when schedules will be released. Probably February or March. Doing playoffs for winter sports will be a chore this year, especially with open tournament in basketball.
Mark
11:13
Any Upsets you see coming this week?
Mike White
11:13
Ahhhh no.
Tw
11:13
Saw QV vs Montour....Montour good and bench is deep....nice size.....
Mike White
11:17
Talked about Montour above. Beating QV makes them a player in 4A. Vason Stevenson Montour leading scorer. Talent in his genes. Dad, Ron, I remember watching on some really good teams at City League Langley in early 1980s. Played in main game of Dapper Dan Rounball. Great hops, could probably grab a dime off the top of the backboard. Went to Duquesne and played. Ron's older son, Ron Jr., went to Temple for football. Vason probably one to watch.
D9Dave
11:17
Big game in 6A tonight with Seneca Valley hosting North Allegany.  SV very impressive in their first 2 games.  Coach Kevin Trost has it going at SV with a full court pressing up and down style of play.  Cole Brooks is one of the better 3 point shooters in the WPIAL too.  Who ya got?
Mike White
11:20
Yes, an interesting one for sure. Ol' Troster playing a different style this year. Trapping everywhere. Trying to play fast. NA now under Dan DeRose. Tigers also try to play fast, but with a different style. Ton of sets. I think it might be close tonight. NA went to OT to beat North Hills. I'll take NA in a close one.
D9Dave
11:20
Saw your 8th grade team at North Hills play last season and you had some very good players that looked like they might be able to help the Varsity as Freshmen this season.  Any of them seeing playing time on the varsity?  You still coaching this season?
Mike White
11:26
I coach 9th grade, but we had 5 8th graders playing on 9th grade team. One of them is starting for North Hills varsity and is most certainly a player to watch in future. He's Royce Parham. He's already 6-5 and judging by his build, his parents and that he only turned 14 July 31, I think he'll get to be 6-8 or so. And he has talent. Nice debut with 19, 11 boards and a couple blocks against North Allegheny. USC's pressure hurt him some and he only scored 8 and turned it over some. Potential is a big word, but he has tons of it. Could certainly be a Division I guy - and a pretty good one. A lot depends on how much he grows. As for bloodlines? His mom is Kim Calhoun, a center who won four WPIAL's at Penn Hills, was a Parade All-American and is still all-time blocked shots leader at Penn State. She works Royce. Keep an eye on Royce. Has to get stronger and keep working, but he could have an awfully bright future. We'll see how he does the rest of the season.
All American
11:26
Saw Montour, they can't shoot from the outside
Mike White
11:26
Awww, shoot.
Guest
11:26
Any opinion on the Coach Furjanic Twitter issue ? WPIAL a bit over sensitive I’d say.
Mike White
11:34
You're talking about WPIAL bringing him in to talk to him about a comment he made on Twitter because he got T'ed up for using "dammit" in a game. I'd say two things. Matt shouldn't have commented on Twitter. That just brings attention to you and he shouldn't have tagged WPIAL in Tweet. Now about the WPIAL. They get unfairly criticized many times. But honestly? C'mon. You're bringing him in to talk to him in front of the board of directors? Really? Isn't there more pressing matters than bringing in a coach who Tweeted something about getting T'ed up? Maybe it's just me. But maybe a phone call to the Woodland Hills AD asking what was meant would've been a little better and just leave it at that. Matt Furjanic didn't even get ejected from the game. Do you know how many athletes and even coaches Tweet things about WPIAL, criticizing them? Are you going to bring all of them in? WPIAL worrying about harmless tweets is certainly a road I would not go down.
BVBBall
11:34
Any early thoughts on girls HS teams?
Mike White
11:34
Yes, there's about 130 playing basketball in the WPIAL.
JP
11:34
Do you see any more football teams leaving the WPIAL.
Mike White
11:35
Hard to say. Could a few small schools? Maybe. But it's sometimes hard to get a schedule then for small schools.
Hoops lover
11:35
Looks like Jeff Ackermann is having a hard time at Baldwin.  Can he make them Worst to First, or should he be sending out resumes?
Mike White
11:37
Geez, Baldwin has played two games and you want him already to leave? Please, talk a little more sensible. He lost to Mt. Lebanon by only seven. Plus, his best player is out. Give me a break.
Be Like Mike
11:37
A couple of big wins to start the season for Chartiers Valley. 5A seems to be very, very deep.
Mike White
11:40
Without a doubt 5A is deep. It has been pretty good the past few years. Now it's New Castle, Chartiers Valley, Mars, Penn Hills, McKeesport, Laurel Highlands, Trinity, etc. I still think right now New Castle is No. 1, but two interesting games coming up. At Trinity tonight and at Chartiers Valley next Tuesday.
11:49
First off, how can WPIAL mandate a mask when not even Governor or health organizations are mandating them? Guidelines from Governor Wolf recommended a mask indoors, but said it's up to individual school districts and exceptions can be made to wearing a mask if it is deemed by a school to be not healthy during vigorous exercise. It is a little hard to breathe playing basketball or wrestling wile wearing a mask. UPMC has even put out guidelines that recommend not using masks during vigrous exercise. And you want the WPIAL to mandate it? C'mon. Secondly, WPIAL didn't say there wouldn't be section champions. They will award a section championship if there have been enough games played and there is a clear-cut winner. That will happen in some sections. And please, with Hudl film and other film, teams see all section opponents at some point.
Hoops lover
11:50
Why is the WPIAL not make a stand and saying all school needs to wear mask?  If they are so concerned about players safety and having a season, then all players need to wear a mask.  It is a state mandate to have them on in school all day, what is the difference for an 1.5 hour game.  It is not ideal, but the players are at least playing.  Also saying there is not section champions this year, is a joke.  That means team will just not play the tough opponents in their section to avoid a loss.  Not to mention how could team in a section who have not played each other vote for all section players?
Mike White
11:50
The previous answer was to the questions from Hoops lover.
PGH Coach
11:50
Think CV girls go undefeated in WPIAL this year?
Mike White
11:52
I'd say about 90-10 they do in regular season, although they will get challenged at some point. Maybe by Trinity. Remember, they won a regular season game at the buzzer last year by Thomas Jefferson.
Mark
11:54
Who is the Underrated coach for this year boys and girls ?
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