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Mike White's high school sports chat: 01.24.23
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Mike White
11:01
You ready? Let's just go now.
James
11:02
Who are your top 5 in Boys 4a ??
Mike White
11:05
Class 4A is really tough to narrow down to five. Last week we had Lincoln Park, Hampton, Uniontown, Laurel Highlands and South Allegheny. Hard to argue with that. I think Highlands is also a top five team and even good enough to win it. But when doing rankings, was hard to do because of Highlands' loss at home to Hampton. And remember, regular season will be different than playoffs with Hampton because Peter Kramer (Hampton's leading scorer) can't play in playoffs. This is really a fluid situation with top five. Could be cleared up some Friday when Highlands plays at Hampton. Lincoln Park also plays at North Catholic.
LeboKid
11:05
Mike, do you have any updates on the Mt. Lebanon football head coach search? While I'm sure it was for legitimate reasons (family, health), it was disappointing on an emotional level to hear that Bob Palko was resigning. A very likable guy. He had Lebo turned around and made them a legitimate threat in 6A for years to come. Thanks.
Mike White
11:07
I have no updates. And yes, sorry to see Bob Palko go. WPIAL football overall will miss him. High school sports overall will miss him. An all-timer - for football and for kids in general. Special coach and person. But I wouldn't rule out a return to coaching for him someday. Just not next year.
North2South
11:07
Who are the under the radar Boys teams that you feel could make a run in the playoffs?
Mike White
11:08
I mentioned Highlands above. North Catholic. Those come to mind right away. They aren't ranked in 4A.
White shadow
11:08
Is the younger Cummings a legitimate D1 player?
Mike White
11:11
Are you talking Beebah Cummings of Lincoln Park. Well he just committed to Pitt, so yeah I would think he's a D-1 player. Does he need to improve? Most certainly. But all high school players do. He can certainly shoot and he's athletic. Is he someone that can help Pitt right away? I don't know about that. Remember he still has next season in high school, too. Hopefully he continues to progress.
Coach O
11:12
Prospects for any state basketball championships for WPIAL teams seem pretty bleak this year, no? Maybe Imani? LP could beat Neumann Goretti? Not as familiar with girls though doesn’t seem to be standout team like Char Valley or Neshannock in recent years?
Mike White
11:12
I wouldn't expect many. Philly teams are good again. Real good. But yes, I'd agree that Imani has a chance with the players who have come in the past two years.
Snow is coming
11:13
Rumors everywhere of Lehmeier to PCC.  What are your thoughts?
Mike White
11:13
Became official this morning. Here is a little story about him. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2023/01/24/ce...
Hsfan
11:14
Injury bug seems to be hitting the WPIAL, Boice, Clement, Bilinsky, etc. We need a WPIAL injury report. Sometimes you’ll see an odd score and then find out that key players were missing.
Mike White
11:15
Yes, I've had something in on all of those players being injured. Spratt and Parham missed time, too.
ShootTheJPlayTheD
11:15
Deer Lakes is emerging as a major sleeper in 3A it seems like. Do you have any plans on going to watch them to see if they are the real deal?
Mike White
11:17
Fear the Deer!!!!! I think they learned a few things off the Bucks. They like take it to the rack, too, out of a horns set .... Wooooo hoooo.
Disco
11:17
The 3A rankings have been all over the place this year. In your opinion, is there any team that truly stands apart from the rest?
Mike White
11:19
No, I don't. You're right. They've jumped around a lot. There definitely doesn't seem to be a team that is above the rest, and that makes things fun. We jumped Washington to No. 1 last week. Are they No. 1? It's really hard to say. I don't feel overly strong about any team. That doesn't mean there aren't good teams. Just not one or two above the rest.
North2South
11:19
Highlands/North Hills - was it as lopsided as the score looked?
Mike White
11:20
Highlands led from start to finish. Were in control of game entire time. They played a packed in zone. Limited Parham touches. I'm telling you, Highlands is good. North Hills' legs might have been a little weary. Up-and-down game with Pine-Richland less than 24 hours earlier. But give Highlands credit. They're good enough to make a run in Class 4A.
TM
11:20
Everyone asks you what is your favorite football stadium or gym to watch an event. What about favorite local restaurants to eat at before or after a game? Any stand out more than others?
Mike White
11:23
Archie's on South Side. Get spicy ranch wings. And ask him to bring up section championship plaque from his days at Boyle - either 1982 or '83. Or Hal's in North Hills. Ask to talk to Hal about him and his 1992 Blackhawk team with Dante Calabria. State champs. Hal was second leading scorer. He loves when people ask for him to come out and talk about 1992 Blackhawk.
CCHSVikingsUpgrade
11:23
Can you please provide some insight into Central Catholic's decision to hire Ryan Lehmeier as its Head Football Coach? Specifically, I'm curious if you could please provide some background on Coach Lehmeier. He seems to be thought of highly in coaching circles. Additionally would like to know why Steve Bezila was passed over? He works in the administration at the school, is a Central grad and has been on the football staff for about a decade but rumor is that his personal demeanor and character was lacking. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks!
Mike White
11:26
I have no idea why Steve Bezila was passed over. I wasn't on the selection committee. Again, below is a link to a little story on Lehmeier. I admit I am a little surprised they passed over a Central guy in house. But Lehmeier has a good reputation. How will Lehmeier do? Really, who knows? You never know how an assistant will be as a head coach, no matter if it's high school, college or pros. Much different as a head coach. But remember. Central always has plenty of talent - and always has talent coming in. And with only 6 teams in WPIAL 6A, it doesn't take a whole lot to get to championship game, if you're Central. Here's the link: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2023/01/24/ce...
D9Dave
11:26
What position do you see Royce Parham playing at the college level?  Hear he’s really improved his ballhandlng & perimeter shooting?  Do you think he will stay local when choosing a college or is it wide open at this point?
Mike White
11:30
The 4. A stretch 4 maybe. He might not be done growing. He's close to 6-9 now and he only turned 16 in late July. He'll be on a college campus when he's 17. He still has room to improve and his game has expanded from year to year. As for a college, he is still pretty open. He wants to see more of a few colleges he made unofficial visits to. Whether official or unofficial, he's been to Penn State, Wisconsin, Maryland, Xavier, Notre Dame, Pitt and will go to Marquette soon. Alabama showing some interest lately. He's not close to a decision. He was seriously considering Notre Dame, but with Mike Brey leaving, I don't know what happens there.
WPIAL Football Coaches
11:30
Will be very interesting to see what happens at Central Cath and MtL with two of the best football jobs in the WPIAL.  There is a strong case at Central for them to stay in house with Bezila.  Lebo's OC has not made friends in the community, plus, him coaching Union in Nov/Dec while still the OC at Lebo was a big turn off.
Mike White
11:30
If you hadn't seen. Central officially hired Ryan Lehmeier this morning. No idea what will happen at Lebo.
WPIALCoachCarousel
11:31
There have been a lot of changes during the WPIAL football  coaching carousel; legends like Palko, Loughran, and Totten retiring, new hires at Central, Bethel, Woody High, and Marko Thomas, Brian DeLallo, Dave Brozeski and Ron Gallagher all resigning, can you please power rank your top 5 WPIAL football coaches? Additionally would love to know the new coach poised for the most success? And one coach who you think will do better than anticipated (either a first year coach or someone ready to take a leap forward). Thanks Mike!
Mike White
11:32
You ask a lot. I will not power rank top five coaches. Too hard. Some really good coaches at various levels, but don't win championships a lot because talent just isn't there. As for a new coach who will have most success? Ahhhhh, Lehmeier should enjoy plenty of success at Central. There's just a little bit of talent there.
PCC
11:33
Mike, how much does it pain you that you are going to have to answer multiple questions about Pittsburgh Central Catholic today?
Mike White
11:33
No idea what that is supposed to mean.
WPIAL FOLLOWER
11:33
You do a terrific job Mike. Always enjoy the sports chat. I want to send some positive thoughts out here today. Lots of kids coming back from injuries this high school season. Off season was Astorino, during season was Depante, Parham, Spratt, Simpson, Maluk and more. WPIAL got some tough kids that just battle through injuries. Their coaches have to be proud of the heart of these kids. All of them are top players in western Pennsylvania with college offers too.
Mike White
11:35
Thanks WPIAL follower. I like doing the chat - even when dolts ask idiotic questions. That's to be expected, though. Yes, injury bug seems to have hit a number of top players this year. More than I can remember in other seasons.
Guest
11:35
Ian March should be underrated athlete of the week clamped up makhai
Mike White
11:36
I guess the "eyes" of March were upon him. And it was only January, so it wasn't Valentine's Day. ...... Wooooo hoooooo. I'll be here all week. Try the veal.
Hsfan
11:36
Do you feel class that classifications in WPIAL basketball are mattering less and less in terms of quality teams?
Mike White
11:38
Not totally sure what you mean. If you're saying can a top team from maybe 4A be among the best teams in WPIAL, I'd say yes. But I don't think that's new. Even when there were four classes, there were teams in 3A who would be among the best in 4A. Six classes has watered things down, though.
Lebron smith
11:39
Who do you thinks better Ian March or mekhai valentine?
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