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Mike White's high school sports chat: 01.31.23
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Mike White
11:31
Good question. Yes, I did see the interview. High school and pros are a lot different and should be treated that way. Have to remember that high school games have kids. It might be OK to mention the name of a player who had a late hit, or fumbled, or something like that. But if it's high school, and not a player who is a standout or the QB, I'm not going to interview that kid. I don't think most reporters would. Remember, they're kids. Pros are a lot different.
11:34
More on the above question. I'm sure Hill might have said he was just supporting his teammate. And that's fine. But those guys get paid a ton of money. When you're at that level, you should have to answer questions. And as a reporter, you don't particularly like if another player is standing next to you, telling you what questions you shouldn't ask. "I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to him."
Caleb Weidman
11:35
Any thoughts on 6a baseball this year? Lebo, central, USC, etc. Have any opinions or thoughts getting into the new season?
Mike White
11:36
See above post. I said I think New Castle and Central are still the top two teams, but they're far from unbeatable. But 6A does not have depth of quality teams. Then again, there are only 12 6A teams, so what do you expect?
WPIAL Coach
11:36
3a Girls hoops seems to be really deep this year with teams that can make a run. Any thoughts on who the front runner is right now?
Mike White
11:37
Yes, 3A is pretty good. Neshannock just beat Laurel. Shady Side is good, even though they lost recently. But I think those three teams are the best right now.
TM
11:37
At my son's youth hoops game, I have been talking to a lot of officials. They are saying how many officials are not doing high school games anymore ($, dealing with parents/coaches/players, weeknights, etc...). Do you see a shortage in the future for hoops officials? Will scheduling need to be adjusted like in some high school football games to allow for official to be cover all games?
Mike White
11:39
Yes, there is a shortage of officials. But from what WPIAL officials tell me, high school basketball is OK. At least comparable to other sports. Middle school and junior high basketball is hurting for officials. I coach 9th grade basketball. I've been surprised at how many varsity officials have worked some of my 9th grade games this year. That's just an indication of how it's hard to get officials for those levels.
5a Fan
11:40
For WPIAL seeding purposes, how much is strength of schedule considered, for instance, in 5a girls, South Fayette has played or will play the majority of the top 6a schools, but Oakland Catholic has not, is that considered significantly in the process?
Mike White
11:43
Most definitely it is considered. South Fayette has indeed played a really good schedule. Oakland Catholic's schedule hasn't been terrible, though. OC has played Mt. Lebanon. I don't know about out-of-state teams both have played. If everything goes this way the rest of the season, I think South Fayette will get No. 1 seed. They deserve it. They're defending champ and only loss is to Norwin (by three points) and beat 6A No. 1 Upper St. Clair.
Hsfan
11:45
Have you seen South Fayette’s schedule. Nearly all their losses at by 1-5 points. Have to be the best sub 500 WPIAL team.
Mike White
11:45
I've seen South Fayette play. It's incredible what has happened to them. Four losses by one point and another by two points. And a handful of losses by buzzer beaters. Certainly a decent team. Rotten luck.
IanMarchNumber1Fan
11:45
Ur dodging questions
Mike White
11:46
Please go away.
Hsfan
11:49
How do you think the 6a playoffs will be seeded? True 1-8, or try to make cross section Match ups?
Mike White
11:50
I can just go by what has happend at this point. This could change. 1. Central. 2. New Castle. 3. Mt. Lebanon or Butler. 4. Mt. Lebanon or Butler. 5. Upper St. Clair. 6. Baldwin. 7. and 8. The fourth-place teams in the section.
CRH
11:50
Section 5A-3 boys seems wide open outside of Gateway being pretty clearly at the top, although they've had some pretty tight victories.
Mike White
11:51
Gateway needs to get Taili Thompson back. Yes, I think with him they are clearly the top team. 2-3-4 in that section is indeed up for grabs.
RF
11:51
Hi Mike:  prediction on Butler-New Castle tonight?
Mike White
11:51
I'll take New Castle, although I bet it's close.
Hsfan
11:52
Who be your favorite in 2a?
Mike White
11:52
Boys? Aliquippa.
richards
11:52
Is it true Maleek Thomas lives in North Hills school district? Would that have been an all-time great team if he & Parham played together?
Mike White
11:53
Yes, Meleek lives in North Hills and his brother, Jayden, plays for North Hills. They live right down the street from Royce. Meleek elected to go to Lincoln Park.
Question Guy
11:54
Hi Mike, question for you to look into. When is the last time a player at any level of basketball, high school, college, NBA, overseas, scored 57 points and his/her team lost????
Mike White
11:54
Friday, Vinnie Cugini scored 57 in loss to Summit Academy. What's your point?
basketball fan
11:59
Mike, I see your post above about 5A boys hoops.  I understand why you give love to North Hills section, but what about Penn Hills section?  That one might be better.  From seeing some of these teams they look better than Bethel and TJ in the section you were also mentioning.  And the Gateway section isn't good
Mike White
12:01
No doubt Penn Hills section is good also. Yes, both are better than Peters and Bethel and TJ section. Thing is, I think the section with Moon, Mars and North Hills is better in terms of depth of teams, at least compared to other two sections. But top of Penn Hills' section is just as good probably.
Bman
12:01
you give Highlands a chance. They’ve beaten some good teams but can’t beat Hampton.
Mike White
12:02
I've talked about Highlands before on this chat. I like Highlands. The two losses to Hampton will hurt their seeding, but I think they can certainly make a playoff run.
Hey, that's it for now. Thanks, everybody. See you, er, hear from you, next Tuesday at 11.
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