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Mike White's high school sports chat: 01.21.25
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Mike White
11:01
Dang, it's downright frigid out. But so what. Just what the middle of high school basketball season should be. We can still have some hot high school talk. Store is now open for questions.
Pittfan
11:01
Hi Mike. Are the "pro" players on college teams still required to maintain a certain GPA or whatever measurement is used? Are they even required to attend classes? It seems the NCAA's jurisdiction left when NIL arrived.
Mike White
11:04
I don't really know what rules for academics are in college for players in fifth or sixth year (if they had COVID year). I do know that some college players in those extra years have a light load. But yet, I know some who might be going for master's degree and they obviously have to do work. But kudos to those who use extra year/years to their advantage. I know former Mars basketball standout Robbie Carmody, whose career at Notre Dame was derailed by serious injuries, is now playing at his third school and I know he has two masters degrees.
Swan Song
11:04
Whats going on with coach Swan? Any details?
Mike White
11:06
You're talking about Bill Swan at Hempfield, the boys basketball coach. All I know is he has been placed on administrative leave as coach and job as guidance counselor while school conducts investigation of him. It's a personnel thing, so school will not comment any further - and Swan has had no comment. So it's wait and see what will happen.
Port Vue Pete
11:06
With Norwin getting stadium upgrades, can we expect them to host the PIAA state football championships in the future like Cumberland Valley does?
Mike White
11:11
No way. No way the PIAA puts the games at a high school on the western side of the state. Yes, Cumberland Valley is a high school, but I think they consider that more in the middle part of the state. Cumberland Valley is a really nice facility for a high school. I know it lacks maybe big-timle atmosphere, but c'mon. With the crowds at state championship football, the PIAA doesn't need a big place. Plus, they get Cumberland Valley for a great price. Penn State put in a bid for the PIAA championships a few years ago, but the price tag was absurd. I believe it was $140,000 a year. It makes you think if Penn State really wanted to the games. Plus, you talk about empty feeling. That place would seem live a cavern for a PIAA championship, worse than Acrisure.
WPIAL Fan
11:12
Any update on the Seneca Valley Football coach search? Thanks!
Mike White
11:12
They will hire someone one of the first few days of February. I've heard reports of a frontrunner, but I can't confirm it. So I don't want to throw it out there.
6A
11:13
How down is 6A?  NC loses to NH and SV is at the top of the section? Most of the teams in 6A is hovering at or well below .500.  Is it because the bigger schools don't share athletes between sports and specialize earlier than kids from smaller schools?
Mike White
11:18
Well, Class 6A does have what I feel is the best team in the western part of the state in Upper St. Clair. I mean, USC over the holidays beat Central York, the defending 6A state champ who has a number of players back. That says something. But I will say this: In 6A, there is Upper St. Clair - and then all the rest. That does not mean USC won't get challenged in the postseason, because they will. But it seems after USC, there are a number of teams that could make some noise in the playoffs. This isn't anything really new. The largest class of the WPIAL in boys hoops doesn't really stack up to eastern Pa. in 6A and especially in Philly. I don't know about bigger schools not having multi-sport athletes. They're out there, although I will say more kids are specializing even more lately. For example, a kid might not play basketball nowadays because he says he is going to play 7 on 7 football in the winter, or go to AAU volleyball tourneys. I think participation numbers in hoops is down at some larger schools.
WPIALest
11:18
So, last year the Lincoln Park coach told everyone he is a good coach after the championship game and that he doesn't just "roll the balls out." He talked about how he called a play every possession.  His team is now 0-7 and 2-12.  Instead of drawing up better plays he recruited a kid from Florida and they haven't won since. I hope other teams take their revenge before he starts recruiting again.
Mike White
11:21
Well, he did lose every starter from last year's team and for a while he was starting five freshmen this season. As for the kid you're talking about transferring in, that was the son of Ron Rowan and the brother of Maverick Rowan. C'mon. Maverick played at Lincoln Park for two years and the Rowans never sold their house in Beaver County before moving back. By the way, Ron Rowan is part owner of a pro team in the top league in Italy. Maverick plays for the team. Lincoln Park won't make the playoffs this year and the Rowan kid won't make much of a difference.
pz
11:22
If rumors are true about you transitioning into retirement, I just wanted to say thank you for all the time, energy, and dedication you put into high school sports in this area! We have been lucky to have you to report on our kids. I hope to still see and hear from you on the baseball fields this Spring.
Mike White
11:29
Well pz, thank you very much. But I need to clarify some things out there that are misleading. I would call it "semi retirement." I'm still going to be writing stories every week. Still cover playoff games. Still do this chat every week. I will do a new weekly high school sports notes column that will start this week called "Prep Talk." We might bring back Podcast in fall. But there will be a big cutback in overall work load, especially in summer months. And in adminstrative duties. So that's why I call it "semi retirement." So you will still be seeing me. Keith Barnes will man the ship now with help from Colin Beazley. I'm just the soothsayer sitting on the side doing my own thing.. Ha ha. And giving pointers here and there. Post-Gazette has been so good to me. It's been a major part of my life -- and I'm not giving this up completely. No way.
Girls Fan
11:30
Hey Mike.  First - do not retire.  Second - I saw that Salvino #2 all time WPIAL coaching wins for boys.  Who is #1 all-time for girls?  I know that several coaches hit 500 over last year or so (Burke, Rottmann, Petruska) and curious whether any of them have a shot at it.  Thanks.
Mike White
11:35
Ha ha. See above post. Will explain some things about me. Secondly, about the most for girls. It is De Porucznik, longtime coach at old Mount Alvernia. She retired in 2010 after 48 years. She wasn't much for media attention, so she would never give her record and there was no way to check. But her assistant coach said then she had between 800 and 1,000 wins. So she would be first. Don Barth, legendary former North Catholic coach, had 788, 11 WPIALs and seven states. Neshannock's Luanne Grybowski has more than 700 and is still coaching.
Sonny
11:36
Who would win in a fight you or Rebel?
Mike White
11:36
You mean Marshmallow Rebel? C'mon, man.
Guest
11:36
Please comment on the quips vs Imani game? what can we expect from WPIAL? Post season implications? Your thoughts?
Mike White
11:41
You are talking about the Imani Christian vs. Aliquippa game Saturday that was stopped in the first half because a fight broke out among players and fans came out of the stands and onto the court. I've received questions about this, especially since Imani is on probation and will this affect their probation? Honestly, I've seen one video and it obviously was a bad situation. We have a reporter talking to the WPIAL and see what, if anything, they will do. Players leaving the bench in a fight are supposed to be ejected, which means they can't play the next game. I know Imani played Sunday, but I don't know how many players played. Bottom line is I don't know what will happen, if anything. We are asking the WPIAL. That's all I can say right now. We will report on what the WPIAL says, if anything. But reports from game officials are supposed to go to WPIAL and PIAA. So we'll see.
SArecruits
11:41
Well, I think the word is finally out. Saw a video circulating on social media of the Sewickley twin towers from Africa dunking all over kids from Eden Christian. If I'm another 2A school I'm absolutely livid having to compete against that. Coaches and players alike put in work for years to have a chance at playing for a WPIAL championship, then you gotta match up against these ringers who got recruited to come over here from another country. It's time for a separation of private and public.
Mike White
11:44
Yes, I saw the video. I do not know where those two players came from. It would not be right to guess. And I don't know the situation. Obviously, they've been ruled eligible to play. I do know that I saw Sewickley Academy play North Allegheny and they did not have both of those big players. They only had one. With those two, yes the rest of Class 2A should take notice.
Keil
11:44
Word is London Creach is back for Oakland.  Does that make them the favorites in 4A?
Mike White
11:45
I think she was supposed to return last week. I haven't heard how she did. You know, there is still North Catholic, Blackhawk and Beaver in 4A, right? By the way, Oakland Catholic plays North Catholic Jan. 29.
Hang it Up
11:45
So will you still be going the weekly chat since you're "semi-retiring" ?
Mike White
11:46
Yes, indeed. As well as a few stories. I explained a little more in above post.
Big Game Hunting
11:46
What's the big one tonight?
Mike White
11:47
I really like Latrobe at Uniontown. Also Char Valley at Montour.
WPIALGOAT
11:48
Mike, you've probably witnessed some of the best performances in WPA high school basketball history. Saw a graphic about Terrelle Pryor the other day, made me remember his 40 point, 24 rebound, 12 block triple double against Beaver Falls in the wpial championship, that was the greatest performance I've ever seen around here. Lance Jeter was amazing and Drew Schifino had some performances as well but Terrelle was the best I've ever seen. Where does that rank for you in single game performances?
Mike White
11:50
Not to nit-pick (ha-ha), but Pryor had 39, 24 and 10 -- and don't forget 6 assists. Yes, I would put it up there with one of the best performances I have ever seen in a high school game. I still say the best I ever saw was Billy Owens scoring 53!!!! in the 4A state championship in 1988 against Central Catholic. Yes, 53 in a state title game. He made 19 of 22 shots from the field and 14 of 16 from the free-throw line. Besides LeBron, Owens was the best basketball player I ever saw in person in a high school game (not all star game).
Mr Ed
11:51
Have you seen Kai Cox of New Castle play this year or talk to coaches about him? Putting up some impressive numbers for a frosh in 6A. Does he have D-1 potential?
Mike White
11:54
Yes, I have seen Kai Cox in person and on film. Very impressive. What level college will he be? I think that will depend on if he grows much more - and how does he improve his outside game (shooting and handle). He is only in ninth grade, so it's hard to say if he will grow more. He's 6-0 right now, but pretty well developed already physically. But I think he will have a great career in high school. Heck, he's already averaging 20 a game.
College Recruiting
11:54
What WPIAL kids do we anticipate seeing sign D-1 offers in February for Football?  A good amount signed in December, but there are some still out there.
Mike White
11:55
As far as FBS schools, I don't know really know of any. Maybe you have one pop up at lower FBS level. You might have some sign with FCS schools, though. But the FBS kids are pretty much done around here.
Mr Ed
11:55
No question here, Mike. Just a vote to please bring back the podcast. It was entertaining , humorous, and informative. A nice combination.
Mike White
11:56
We're working on it for possibly the start of football. And thanks for the nice words. A fun thing to do.
Dog
11:56
I feel like Fab 5 starting to look pretty easy. I know you can't give out your picks, but I'd like to think it's Carmichael, Robbins, Sow, Courtney Wallace, maybe Pratt?
Mike White
11:57
Very good insight, Dog. But you have to throw R.J. Sledge of Imani in there, too. He's a prime candidate. Plus, you never know. A kid might have a great playoff run. But for now, I think those are the frontrunners.
Greg
11:57
With you retiring would you ever consider taking a basketball head coaching job?
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