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Mike White's high school sports chat: 02.09.21
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Mike White
10:58
A snowy Tuesday. Many kids doing school virtually. So this a live chat "for real." Let's go.
Masked man
10:58
Mike, I've noticed Pittsburgh Central games being cancelled recently.  It's my understanding that they've changed the 'mask' policy.  Why all of the sudden does a school do this?  What's going to happen when they get matched up against a school in the playoffs that doesn't require the mask?  Do they change the policy or pack it in???  Do you think the WPIAL will try to pair up schools based upon a mask policy in the 1st round?
Mike White
11:02
I have no idea what Central's mask policy is now or if they changed it. Believe it or not, I don't know every WPIAL school's mask policy. There are still some teams that won't play anyone that doesn't wear masks. But here's the deal for playoffs: WPIAL already has sent out notice to schools. Schools must notify the WPIAL by Feb. 18 if they want in open tournament. However, if your school has a policy where your team must wear masks and you won't play a team that doesn't wear masks - well then don't bother to ask in the tournament. You're out. You don't get to decide in the middle of the playoffs that you won't play a team that doesn't wear masks. It's not a game by game decision. You're either in or out.
11:04
And no, the WPIAL will not be matching up teams based on mask policies. That's absurd. And I really want to see if a school board really has enough nerve not to let its team in the playoffs because they won't play an opponent that doesn't wear masks. They will get destroyed by parents. I can't see it happening. I say they will all cave and say, "Ok, we change our policy. You can be in the playoffs."
Section 3
11:04
Are the two injured starters for Butler coming back before the playoffs start? With the parity in 6A would seem that could elevate them into a serious title contender.
Mike White
11:06
You're talking about Chuck Kreinbucher and Raine Gratzmiller. Kreinbucher has a thumb injury. He played last game, but is certainly not full strength. Gratzmiller is an ankle injury. I don't know his status. Butler could certainly use both, especially Kreinbucher for defense.
Masked man
11:06
Who's the one team in  5A/6A that you don't wanna play ?  Seems like a lot of legit teams that could make some noise.  For me, it's Butler in 6A.  If I'm a coach and get paired against that team, I'm probably not too happy.  Clement's kid and Carney are for real!  In 5A, I'm thinking Mckeesport or TJ- teams that may not be highly ranked, but man they seem to be good.
Mike White
11:09
Well masked man, in 6A there are probably 9-10 teams I feel this way about: It wouldn't surprise me to see them in the semifinals. It wouldn't surprise me if they lost in the first round. It really is that balanced. I just don't think there is a really, really good team. Good ones. No overwhelming favorite - and I've seen a lot of them either live or complete game films. I think Fox Chapel coach Zach Skrinjar said it best last week. Even though he beat Upper St. Clair, he thinks USC might be just a hair above everyone. And then there is the rest, which includes Fox Chapel. Playoffs should be very interesting.
Pat
11:09
Hey mike, if you had the choice where would you want the wpial finals to be at?  Bethel, Na, Baldwin, or Montour
Mike White
11:13
Yes, they would all be fine, but Montour seems so boxed in. You know NA will be used. But here's my idea and we talked about this on this week's Post-Gazette Pick n' Roll podcast. I'd like to see the WPIAL wait to see who wins all semifinal games. With no games at The Pete or The Coop (Duquesne) this year, let's put some title games at a few great gyms where there is an aura of history. Like how about a game at New Castle? Or if it fits geographically, how about the hallowed floor at Washington, with individual seating and a horseshoe set up. Or Beaver Falls. Some great gyms with history. Why not use them? You won't have to worry about crowd size or parking because crowds would be small. And heck, bring in pep bands for those games. Just thinking a little outside the box.
Ricky
11:13
I feel bad for hopewell and Blackhawk. They gotta deal with a section comprised of Lincoln Park, Qv, Montour, Cv and Ambridge. Can they realign that section next year or is it the following year I’m not up to date lol. Also how would you make that section up?
Mike White
11:15
No realignment for next season. Realignments are done on a two-year cycle. This is the first year of a two-year cycle. Yes, it is a really good section. But that section always is.
WPIAL Fan
11:15
Do you know of any schools that have opted out of the playoffs for basketball? How do you feel about teams with winless or bad records being able to join?
Mike White
11:17
I do not know yet. Teams have until Feb.18 to decide. As of last Friday, WPIAL boss Amy Scheuneman said about 75 boys and girls teams have opted in. There will certainly be teams that don't participate - and I don't blame them. If your team is a tomato can, why would you want to have your kids go get pounded one more time at the home of another school. Other time there was open tournament was 1984. There were 12 boys and 23 girls teams who opted not to participate. So it will happen again.
Guest
11:17
Mike, who are your top five WPI AL boys basketball players at this point of the season?
Mike White
11:18
I will not answer that. Too hard yet. Have to let season play that. The answer now might different at end of season and too many people will take offense if I answer it now. Still some people I hope to see play.
Matt
11:19
Is there any competition for Bishop Canevin in class A?  They have to be a favorite to make the A PIAA final, no?
Mike White
11:21
Nope, no competition. All WPIAL teams pay attention. Put away the uniforms now. You're no competition for Canevin. C'mon, Matt. Yes, Bishop Canevin is really good but like I've said many times before. Just because a team is rolling in regular season doesn't mean they won't get challenged at some point. Canevin is definitely the favorite and it would be surprising if they didn't win it all. But they aren't unbeatable.
Chucks Bucs
11:21
Can First Love players make the Fab Five or is it just WPIAL and City League players
Mike White
11:22
No. It's just WPIAL and City League players.
Chucks Bucs
11:22
To answer Pat, Mike would prefer all Finals at North Hills
Mike White
11:22
Man, that would be awesome. Who wouldn't like to have to travel 10 minutes to watch all the games?
Guest
11:22
Mike, who are some teams that you want to watch play?
Mike White
11:23
OLSH. South Allegheny. Canevin. Albert Gallatin. Thomas Jefferson. Those are just a few.
D9 Dave
11:24
Which of the 6 classes do you think will be the most difficult to seed for the playoffs & what criteria will the committee use to seed teams?
Mike White
11:26
Class 6A. Like I said above, so many teams are even. Section 1 has only five teams and I think they are capable of winning games in playoffs - North Allegheny, Pine-Richland, Seneca Valley, North Hills and Butler. I mean, look at Butler. If they get the injured kids back, would you want to play them in the first round? Devin Carney, I say, is best offensive player in WPIAL. I didn't say best "player" overall. Best offensive player. Scores at all three levels. Excellent pull-up jumper. So athletic to finish at the hoop. And has range seemingly to the volleyball line. And if Clement hits shots, they could present problems.
D9 Dave
11:26
Who are the Philly powerhouses this year that are serious state championship contenders?
Mike White
11:27
Philly Catholic League just started playing and Public League starts this week. Usual suspects. Roman Catholic, even though they lost some great players to transfers. Imhotep Charter. Neumann-Goretti is good again. Constitution. Archbishop Wood. A lot of the same.
Sports Fan
11:28
Do you know when the PIAA is releasing brackets for states on which Districts will vs each on other in the first round?
Mike White
11:29
Brackets are already on PIAA web site. Go to site, then basketball under "sports" and then "championship information."
11:30
All WPIAL champs advance to to the quarterfinals. Remember, only district champions in PIAA playoffs this year.
Hoops guy
11:30
Will the committee still stay away from section match ups in the first round of the playoffs?
Mike White
11:30
I can't guarantee that, but I would hope so.
RubberBandMan
11:30
Hi Mike. Does the WPIAL has a policy on COVID for the WPIAL playoffs? If team A gets COVID, does their opponent, team B, move on because Team A is quarantined?
Mike White
11:32
The policy is this. If you can't play because of a COVID-19 issue or if your school won't let you play because of a mask issue, sorry. You're out. Now, let's say a team has to be quarantined and their quarantine is up, say, on a Friday. A game is scheduled for Friday. I would think maybe the WPIAL would make an exception and give a team a break for one day. Maybe.
Coach Z
11:32
Hi Mike.  A little late to the party on this one but did Char Valley girls have an off game against Trinity a couple weeks ago? Big one this Friday between CV and NA girls.
Mike White
11:34
I didn't see the game against Trinity. But first off, let's give Trinity credit. They're good. Trinity has a lot of players back from last year's team that gave Char Valley a close game once and then lost to CV in the WPIAL finals. Judging from the score of the game a few weeks ago, I would imagine Char Valley did not shoot well. Maybe that had something to do with Trinity defense. As for NA and CV girls Friday, might be the game of the year in girls basketball. I think I'll take CV.
Chucks Bucs
11:34
Enjoy the chat and the new podcast every week
Mike White
11:35
Why thank you, Chucks Bucs. Tell everyone you know about new podcast. It's wildly, wildly popular.
D9 Dave
11:35
Did you see where a school out East, Liberty, was forced to take a 3 day hiatus from basketball by their superintendent because their players weren’t properly wearing their masks. Your thoughts.
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