JotCast | Mike White's high school sports chat: 02.15.22

Mike White's high school sports chat: 02.15.22

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West End Willie

11:29

Is Dimichael from OLSH done for the season? His dad got into an altercation with the coach in front of an entire gym. The kid hasn't played since. Ankle injury has been the excuse. Any idea what's going on there?

Mike White

11:30

No, he's not done. He's still on team. He does indeed have an ankle injury.

Mustang Sally

11:30

Seems like all yr you have sold LH short because of the mediocre schedule they played! They cant help who they play in conference or how bad these teams in the wpial are! They have the best Pg in the wpial in Rodney and Deshileds and Davis form the best big 3 in western pa! How are they not the favorite to win it all?

Mike White

11:34

Just because I didn't pick Laurel Highlands to win championship, you say we've sold Laurel Highlands short all year? Please. They've been our No. 1-ranked team all season. I picked the No. 1 seed in all classifications except 5A. Can't go with favorite in "every" class. Plus, I've written something about their trio of players -- called them the "Three Horsemen." DeShields was our athlete of the week. We covered the game against Belle Vernon with a staff writer. Rodney has gotten loads of publicity in his three years. But for some people, it's never enough.

Spalding

11:34

Mike--with teams getting to host games through quarterfinals, it feels like some attendance issues could pop up. Central Catholic is set to host a quarterfinal game in a very small gym. Do you think CC would consider moving that game somewhere else?

Mike White

11:35

No. I put in story yesterday the parameters for hosting a game. For 5A and 6A, it's supposed to be a gym that holds 1,000. Can Central hold 1,000? I don't know about that. But they can probably claim close to 1,000.

Slick Rick

11:35

Thanks to social media we had an interesting week in high school sports. The Shaler hockey fight was pretty crazy. So was the OLSH parent who went after the coach. What type of punishment is being given to these people, if any?

Mike White

11:36

I have no idea.

Wike Mhite

11:36

Fort Cherry got the 2 seed in 2A, how do you feel about them, are they real contenders?

Mike White

11:37

One of best teams in Fort Cherry history. 2A doesn't have much depth of quality teams, so Fort Cherry would seemingly have as good a chance as anyone to get to finals. Last time they were in championship was 1961. I haven't seen them play, but obviously they're pretty decent.

Rooter

11:37

Mike, any more to report on the Shaler hockey fight? What are your thoughts?

Mike White

11:42

Ridiculous. Stupid. But I will say I'm not surprised. You know, it isn't the first time something like this has happened. But you never really heard or saw it in the past because people didn't have cell phones to video everything. Remember, a parent came out of the stands in a 1990 basketball game and body slammed an official and the official had to be taken away in an ambulance. My point is, this stuff has gone in youth sports a long time. Heck, I still remember playing a sixth-grade basketball game for dear old St. Sebastian. As we were walking off the court after the game, one of my teammates, Jeff Madden, bumped into a kid from the other team. They looked at each other. A parent from the other team immediately came out of the stands and jumped on my teammate's back and took him to the ground. I will never forget it. My point is, this behavior is ridiculous in youth sports, but it's not something new.

Montreal Screw Job

11:42

How does the WPIAL put Mt Lebanon ahead of USC in 6a ? Why does USC get screwed again this year ?

Mike White

11:45

Upper St. Clair didn't get screwed. WPIAL had to pick one over the other. Those teams are about even. One game difference in their records. USC beat Lebo by two the first time. Lebo won by 11 the second time this past Friday. So tell me how USC gets "screwed?"

Richard

11:45

I could make the argument that NA boys should be 4 seed. They only lost to teams from their section.

Mike White

11:46

Stop it. I agree that North Allegheny is still a very good team. But if you want them to be the No. 4 seed, then that means Pine-Richland and Butler would have to be 2 and 3. Remember, North Allegheny finished in fourth place in the section behind those two teams. No way does Pine and Butler deserve 2 and 3 seeds.

WpialBasketballFan

11:46

Would a new castle Laurel highlands final break the Pete attendance record? I kid lol but that would be a great atmosphere

Mike White

11:48

It would indeed be a nice crowd. But remember, doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday nights in past few years have had crowds over 6,000 at The Pete. Attendance has been very good lately. Still doesn't compare to crowds in 1960s or 1970s for tournament games at Civic Arena. You know semifinal doubleheaders in olden days used to sell out Civic Arena? Crowds would be around 10,000.

Wpial Basketball Lover

11:48

Who’s your pick in single A, and what’s your upset pick of the first round in whatever classification boys or girls

Mike White

11:49

Pick in 1A is pretty easy. Bishop Canevin. But could maybe Imani Christian give them a battle?

Guest

11:49

Canevin’s schedule was by far harder than OLSH and they still sit 17-4 despite playing schools from 3A-6A do you honestly think with the athletes canevin has that OLSH can beat canevin?

Mike White

11:49

Yes. Not saying OLSH would win, but it would be a good game. Obviously, you don't think OLSH is all that good. But they are. They are much more than DiMichele. OLSH's inside guys are pretty good.

KDub

11:50

I know North Hills is undefeated and Fox Chapel's only loss was to North Hills early in the season but I get the feeling the 6A tournament is pretty wide open. Like you mentioned NH may have to beat NA for a 4th time and FC may have to beat Central for a 3rd time. How do you see 6A shaking out?

Mike White

11:51

I said at beginning of year that 6A field is deeper than a lot of other recent years. I still believe that. I could see a handful of teams that could win it. My pick was North Hills. I think they have the best team overall. But the best team doesn't always win it.

WpialBasketballFan

11:51

I think having games at home sites could lead to problems. For example… if butler wins they will play at central catholic.. I don’t think the wpial should be potentially turning people away at the door for playoff games. Find a bigger gym than CC and host.

Mike White

11:52

I agree it would be nice if that game was played at a bigger gym. But I don't see the WPIAL forcing Central out of there. Even though i seriously doubt whether Central can hold 1,000 people.

Wpial Basketball Lover

11:52

Who do you have winning 5A. Gotta take the sleeper Mars.

Mike White

11:53

My pick was New Castle.

Wpial Basketball Lover

11:53

Is uniontown a sleeper in 4a they seem to be trending upwards and have had some good games played lately. It will be hard for Belle Vernon to beat them 3 times

Mike White

11:53

Uniontown hasn't had much playoff success in recent years. I still don't see them getting past Belle Vernon.

The wood

11:53

Do you think the Brentwood Spartans can upset the south Allegheny gladiators

Mike White

11:54

No. No chance. Brentwood should just hand in the uniforms now. Of course, Brentwood has a shot. But I'll still take South Allegheny.

Ron

11:54

Laurel Highlands and Mars are really good. But its really tough to bet against Blundo and the Canes. They are playing really good right now. How do you see 5A playing out?

Mike White

11:55

5A field is really good. As I said above, I took New Castle, but that doesn't mean I feel strongly about the pick.

The fix is in

11:55

Hmmm...Mt Lebanon is on the pairing committee and gets a higher seed over the defending champion who happens to be its biggest rival and neighbor. Funny how that works out ? The WPIAL corruption has nothing on the IOC

Mike White

11:58

And you need help. Read above about the Mt. Lebanon-Upper St. Clair thing. It could've gone either way. As I said before, their records are one game different. Why should Upper St. Clair get the higher seed because they are defending champs. Four starters graduated from that team, maybe five. This isn't last year's team. The two are relatively even. Upper St. Clair beat Lebo by two. Lebo beat USC by 11. You act like USC got the No. 10 seed. They're right next to each other at 4 and 5.

Wpial Basketball Lover

11:58

Is Dimichael playing in the playoffs??

Mike White

11:58

Supposed to.

Money

11:58

Who’s to most overrated boys hoops team in the WPIAL in you’re opinion

Mike White

11:59

I don't get into saying a team or a player is "overrated." It's high school. We don't need to be doing that.