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Mike White's high school sports chat: 01.28.25
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Mike White
10:59
Less than 2 weeks left in the high school regular season, as far as section play goes. Playoff spots on the line the next two weeks, seedings on the line. Plus, other things going on in Western Pa. So let's talk. Chat now open.
Beaver County Fan
10:59
Hi Mike. Congrats on a great career and enjoy (semi) retirement. What are your thoughts on the Beaver boys basketball team? Seems like they are heating up down the home stretch. They have won seven of their last eight, including a win over Central Valley, and took Avonworth to the wire before losing 57-54. Think the Bobcats may make some noise come playoff time?
Mike White
11:03
Thank you, and it is only "semi" retired. Still writing stories. I like Beaver. They've proven to be a good team. Brady Mayo a top player in WPIAL. I think 4A is pretty balanced. I think Avonworth has to be top seed right now. They've won and Rowan Carmichael is someone that no other team has. He's an X factor. A prime candidate for WPIAL player of the year. But I think Beaver has proven it can play with just about anyone. So that would mean they could make a playoff run. Knoch, North Catholic, Belle Vernon, Deer Lakes and Central Valley are other teams to look at.
40stripes-retired
11:03
Biggie tonight in 6A, (well, they're all pretty big this time of year).  NC Red Hurricanes at Seneca Valley.  Seneca got the first one at NC.  If NC returns the favor, we see a nice log-jam at the top of the section.  Your thoughts, Mike?
Mike White
11:05
I'll make this prediction: It will be close. Ha ha. Isn't EVERY game in Class 6A Section 1 close? It's amazing the balance in that section. It wouldn't surprise me if either team wins. They are that close. I'm having a hard time picking this one. If I have to pick, I'll go New Castle.
40stripes-retired
11:05
Nice to see Meleek Thomas chosen as one of 24 for the McDonald's game.  I hope he plays well.  I'm not a big fan of him going to another school for his senior year, but, hey, that's today.  He's averaging 26 per game in that super league in Atlanta.  Not bad!  He's a really good kid and one heck of a basketball player.  I wish him the best.
Mike White
11:05
Good for him.
Ace Heberling
11:05
What was the discipline for the Imani basketball team for the incident vs. Aliquippa?  I'm amazed the Aliquippa player that shoved the Imani player wasn't suspended as well.  I also saw the Aliquippa superintendent arguing with people on Facebook.   Does this superindendent only care about Aliquippa sports and not academics.  All his social media posts are about athletics?
Mike White
11:07
I have no idea about Facebook posts and really have no desire to see them. As for Imani, they did hold out players for their next game after Aliquippa, players who left the bench. You say you're amazed the Aliquippa player who shoved Imani player wasn't suspended. How do you know he wasn't? Aliquippa had six players and their coach suspended for last Friday's game. I don't know who did what in that game. Neither PIAA or WPIAL releases names of anyone who is ejected and suspended for next game.
Hsfan
11:07
How do you see the 6A seeds shaking out? USC if obviously 1, but it’s its shaky afterwards.
Mike White
11:09
It's Upper St. Clair --- and then the rest. There are some decent teams after USC, but USC definitely the best. Seeds 2-3-4-5 could go so many different ways. I'm not trying to dodge the question, but there's so much parity after USC that I really think that five or six other teams could end up in the championship. Just look at how balanced Section 1 is and how every game seems to be close. That's an example. Too many games to go to predict who will be seeded where.
Ace Heberling
11:09
What day are basketball playoff brackets being released?  Mon 2/10 or Tue. 2/11?
Mike White
11:10
Feb. 10. KDKA radio will have a show to announce the brackets.
Guest
11:10
Baldwin boys seem to get it done with grit and hustle but no size. Do you think that is a recipe to go far in the playoffs?
Mike White
11:11
Baldwin is one of the top teams in 5A. We have them ranked No. 2 in 5A. Enough siad. But c'mon. This isn't a knock against Baldwin, but you think they are the only team that plays hard?
D9 Dave
11:11
Who do you like in tonight’s 6A game with Seneca Valley hosting New Castle?  Is NC’s Kai Cox the best freshman you’ve seen this season?  See he already has a football offer from Akron & he didn’t even play football this season.
Mike White
11:14
See above for the post on New Castle and Seneca Valley. As for Kai Cox, that is really something. Akron offers and he didn't even play football this year. But you shouldn't be surprised at the Akron offer. They were offering all kinds of WPIAL and City League kids in the past week. More than a dozen I think. But when you win 2, 2, 2 and 3 games over the past four years, you start grasping.
40stripes-retired
11:15
Big win last night by the Neshannock Lancers over the Aliquippa Quips in ladies' basketball.  Tie at the top between the two as Aliquippa won the first one.  Should be a good race to the finish.
Mike White
11:16
Yes, they are both good. Little surprised at the margin of victory last night, though.
WBBFan
11:16
How can the Post-Gazette not have any coverage of a local Hall of Fame player, Swin Cash, back at McKeesport to have the court named for her?
Mike White
11:16
We will have a story with pictures tomorrow.
D9 Dave
11:16
Is the shot clock coming up for another vote in PA after this season?  Who actually votes? Are you for the shot clock? Why or why not?
Mike White
11:17
PIAA basketball committee will examine it again after the season. Am I for a shot clock? Without a doubt. I just did a story/column on it last week.
Joey D
11:17
Everyone talks about competitive balance and moving up classes. What about relegation to the Christian League for some of these WPIAL teams???
Mike White
11:17
What?
Augie Doggie
11:18
Mike, I love High School Sports.  Right now, I think one of the big issues with High School Basketball is the shot clock.  I'm currently on the fence about it and see both sides of the discussion.  Do you think it's coming?  And please give me a way that some of the smaller school districts will pay for the additional clock and personnel to run it.  Thanks.
Mike White
11:21
If cost is the reason for no shot clock, I'm sorry. That's a bad excuse. If that's the reason, then Pa. will NEVER have it. Because it cost money years ago for shot clock, it costs money now and it will cost even more in the future. It's not like it's going to be free at some points. Schools will probably have a one- or two-year notice for the shot clock. Get it in the school budget. Start working on a sponsor for it. How in the world do 27 other states manage to get it done and not Pa.? C'mon. 27 other states have small schools also. Here's my story/opinion on the shot clock. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-basketball/2025/01/22/...
Bbfan
11:21
Top 5 Boy’s teams in 5A?
Mike White
11:25
It could change again after tonight and Friday and the next week. And I don't feel strongly about any of these teams except USC. But I'd go USC and then probably Seneca Valley, Central, Fox Chapel, New Castle. But Imani could easily be in that top five. You could flip a coin with most of these teams.
Ryan
11:29
What Do you Think about The mars Planets they have looked good the past few games do they get in the playoffs
Mike White
11:32
Yes, they will definitely be in the playoffs. I guarannnnnnnte it. I say that because they already clinched a playoff spot. They are tied for third and have a four-game lead on West Allegheny and Blackhawk. Even if Mars would lose its final four section games, they still beat out West Allegheny and Blackhawk because Mars beat both twice. Mars' fate a lot of times depends on their shooting.
Ace Heberling
11:32
Congrats on the pending retirement.  Would you say in your career you have been to every WPIAL school at least once?  If not, are their there any that pop out at you that you have never been to?
Mike White
11:34
It's not pending. And I'd call it "semi" retirement. I'm still writing and working. Just not as much. Keith Barnes and Colin Beazley will man the high school ship now. I'm now just a wing man
JV Coach
11:34
Will you continue to coach at NH after your retire?
Mike White
11:35
If they want me. Plus I'm on a "max" deal like NBA players now that's worth more than six figures every six months. Hard to turn that down. Plus, they put the "franchise tag" on me.
3A
11:36
Seems like South Allegheny and Aliquippa are the clear favorites in 3A. What is going on with Seton?Ranked #1 preseason. Did they really only score 33 points against South Park? Saw South Park in person besides #11 the tall kid nobody else can really do anything.
Mike White
11:36
I'm not sure about Seton. Maybe it's a case of a lot of people being wrong about them.
Jimmy The Fish
11:37
Sorry, quick question on HS football. Do you know the TJ coach that Frazier HS just hired? Any thoughts?
Mike, just want to say you are awesome covering HS football! Always great seeing you at games. Thank you!
Mike White
11:39
Why thank you Jimmy The Fish. But Holy Mackerel I don't know who got the Frazier job. I'm sure it's a whale of a hire.  Who is it? How was Frazier able to lure him in? ..... Wooooo hooooo, I'll be here all week Jimmy The Fish.
Hilt
11:39
What has happened to Hempfield wresting? They always had a few wrestlers in the top 5, year after year, but lately they have been silent in those categories.
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