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Mike White's high school sports chat: 01.18.22
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Wally
11:44
Mike, PIAA/WPIAL basketball needs a shot clock.  I'm boycotting until it is implemented.
Mike White
11:45
There are many, many, many, many more in your corner, including me. National Federation passed a shot clock, but is leaving it up to each state association to decide whether they want to implement in 2022-23 or 2023-24. Judging from the tone of voice in PIAA administrators, I'd say there is little chance of having it in Pa.
MattClementsGhost
11:47
Butler taking some humongous beatings lately. What’s the story? Bad games? Injuries? Less talent? Clement has been blessed with a D1 PG his whole career. That well has now run dry.
Mike White
11:49
"Some humongous beatings lately?" Ahhhhh, Butler had won five in a row, including a win against NA, before losing to North Hills and Seneca. Yes, North Hills was a blowout, 74-48. But North Hills has blown out a number of teams. The Seneca loss was 70-64. Hardly humongous. That section is good. Every team in it is good. And Butler is 8-4. That's not horrible. Yes, Butler might have a few issues, but that's not a bad team. And Matt Clement was hired in 2009. Ethan Morton was there only four years.
Wally
11:50
Mike, weren't there a couple local 9th graders Pitt offered or were close to offering.  I remember one is the 6'10" kid at Imani, who was the other one?  former North Hills kid?  Is he still in the area?
Mike White
11:52
Pitt did offer the Imani player -- Alier Maluk. And Pitt did offer Lincoln Park freshman Meleek Thomas, who is talented, has a ton of potential and did indeed used to attend North Hills. Meleek's brother, Jayden, is on North Hills' team now.
Pete
11:52
Has anyone made fab 5 as a Freshman-Junior year and failed to repeat?
Mike White
11:57
Yes. Doesn't happen often, but it has happened. Aliquippa's Josh Lay comes to mind. So does Aliquippa's Jon Baldwin.
Wally
11:57
Mike, thoughts on recent signings of Pitt WBB?  Can the locals help Pitt compete in ACC?
Mike White
11:58
I like Chartiers Valley's Aislin Malcolm. One of best shooters around. I think will have to improve game in some areas to be a real, real factor in ACC. But she could definitely help in shooting. North Allegheny's Jasmine Timmerson is only a junior. Also good. Has another year, though.
USC Grad
11:58
Any inside scoop on a new AD ? Seems like the Athletic Department is a giant mess right now with poor performing teams.
Mike White
11:59
New AD where?
Big Basketball Fan
11:59
Hey Mike - What would you consider to be the most competitive section out of all of the WPIAL men's basketball?
Mike White
11:59
No question. Section 1 6A. North Hills, Pine-Richland, North Allegheny, Butler and Seneca Valley. Plus, they play each other three times. Brutal.
crack-0
11:59
Fab 5 girls: Hauser. Malcolm. Page. Timmerson. Conner.   DONE!
Mike White
12:00
Not a bad group. We shall see. But makes sense right now.
Big Dave
12:01
TJ is struggling big time this year in  boys hoops, a lot of kids quitting the team and seemingly a bench full of uninterested coaches!!!! Is this finally the year the school board opens up that job??
Mike White
12:03
OK, team goes 18-5 last season. In 2020, TJ makes WPIAL semifinals and loses close game to Laurel Highlands. They aren't great this year, so let's open the job? Good lord. People never cease to amaze me.
JLE
12:03
Hi Mike, For about 10 years West Mifflin was neck and neck with TJ in football and even made 3 championship games. The last few years have been a different story. Will the drop to 3A rejuvinate the program?
Mike White
12:03
It should definitely help.
Hooper2
12:03
With 6A basketball going from 17 to 11 teams starting next season do you see WPIAL going to 2 sections?  And if so what is your best guess on how playoffs would work?  I know it's early but just curious.
Mike White
12:04
Yes, two sections. Four teams from each will still make playoffs.
Todd
12:04
ridiculous comment?  Seriously?  These families live in a school district and choose to transfer to a private school.  Thus, each year they need to re-enroll, so each year they should be considered a transfer.  I know that seems too logical.
Mike White
12:05
What was I thinking? Great insight by you. I love your thinking. One of the greatest comments I've had on this chat. Thank you so much.
Coach O
12:05
Since North Hills is a main topic today I’ll add that from reading game articles other than Parham looks like other major contributors are all seniors. Puts a lot of pressure on the 9th grade coach to develop some future stars.  lol
Mike White
12:06
Ninth grade coach is an idiot. Knucklehead. Should get rid of him along with opening up the TJ job.
Hooper2
12:06
6A section 1 is such a grind.  Playing teams 3 times is a lot to ask.  They have a pretty strong out of section record but they just beat each other up within.  Were these past 2 seasons the first time WPIAL had that in place for a section?
Mike White
12:08
No, they've had it before over the years for some small sections. Not often. It was an idea by some of the coaches in Section 1 because it's sometimes hard to get non-section games to fill a schedule, especially for 6A teams. I was for the idea. But after seeing teams go through it, it was not a good idea. Not in a section like this where all of the teams are pretty good.
Pete
12:08
Seneca Valley boys have really turned things around after losing 5 of their first 6 games.  Did they have injuries early in the season?
Mike White
12:09
Not that I know of. They have a decent number of football and basketball players. Got a late start to the season. Maybe those kids are just now starting to come together. And again, they play in a really tough section.
12:10
Ok that's it for today. Thanks, everybody. Be good. See you next Tuesday at 11 a.m.
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