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Mike White's high school sports chat: 02.16.21
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Mike White
11:00
Well, the WPIAL basketball playoffs are right around the corner. The league will release Friday what teams are participating in the open tournaments. Did you see there was a shutout in girls basketball last Friday? Let's get talking. Store now open.
Section 3
11:00
I grew up in Beaver County at the time Midland basketball was in it’s heyday in the 70s. Man, those teams were something. My question is over the last number of years with Lincoln Park’s success, do a fair number of the kids on the team still come from Midland or do most live in other areas?
Mike White
11:01
Most of their players are not from Midland area. They generally aren't Not saying they don't have any. But their best player this year, Dakari Bradford, is from Clairton. Enough said.
412Guy
11:01
So with the mask policy for the basketball playoffs, obviously schools are changing their minds about their policies, but let's say a team who wears masks is playing a team that doesn't who would have to forfeit? The team not wearing masks are following their school rules, hard to punish them. The ones that are wearing masks, are following the state guidelines, hard to punish them as well. Not that I agree with the whole mask thing, I think its absurd! But, I would think the school wearing the masks, following state guidelines coming down from Governor would not have to forfeit.
Mike White
11:07
No, it's up to each school if they want to have athletes wear masks. And it should be that way. So let me get this straight. Under your thinking, if there's a school that says it won't play a game against an opponent not wearing masks, you want the team not wearing masks to forfeit? That's idiotic. Look, schools have known the playoff rules for weeks. If they don't want to play someone not wearing masks, then don't play. Forfeit. And according to WPIAL and PIAA, there has never been a report yet from football or basketball of virus being transmitted from a competition. Just sayin'
Coach Z
11:07
Hi Mike!  Great time of year with the playoff pairings a week away.  If there was a WPIAL tournament regardless of classification who do you got in Boys and Girls?
Mike White
11:10
Tough question in boys. To hard to say in boys. I still think USC is a hair better than anyone in 6A, but that doesn't mean they will definitely win it. There are about 10 teams in 6A who can beat almost anyone, but also lose to anyone. New Castle and Char Valley have to be in conversation, but they're not really "better" than anyone else. People keep saying OLSH could be the best team. Hey, yes they can play with a of 6A and 5A teams and beat a lot of them. But no way, I'd say they are definitely the best team.
Ricky
11:10
I like how Penn Hills is doing the playoffs. Have the kids do remote learning and quarantine after they are done. Sort of like a mini bubble lol but should more schools do it like this? I know for a fact the kids will do whatever just to play.
Mike White
11:11
I know in football, there were teams where players went virtual at some point just to be safe for playoffs. I think the same will happen in basketball. And I don't blame them.
Luke
11:11
The new Peters Township gym would be perfect for the finals this year, heck semis too. Break the new place in, can space people out, and also good parking haha what do you think mike?
Mike White
11:12
A little birdie on my roof the other day said Peters Township will most likely be used. Maybe even for Class 6A. I haven't been there yet. Seen pictures. Looks great. Would be great place to have a few title games.
Mac
11:14
Hey Mike, Beaver county native here, which school from my county has the best chance of winning it all? Besides Lincoln park who probably will.
Mike White
11:15
Yes, Lincoln Park has a good chance to win 4A, but 4A is pretty good. Won't be easy. Best chances for Beaver County teams to win WPIAL are in girls. Beaver and Rochester.
Todd
11:15
AAA girls basketball  - What are the chances that it is going to be a Mohawk - University of North Catholic WPIAL final?
Mike White
11:15
University of North Catholic? Wooooo hooooo. You are just hilarious. Tip your waitresses. Try the veal.
doug steele
11:15
WHO HAS THE BEST YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAM IN WEST PA.
Mike White
11:18
Youth Sports Program? You mean like 6 years old and up? I really don't make a point to follow youth sports. Although I have to admit, I love the flag football leagues I see for kids ages 3 and up. That's beautiful. Some are still in diapers but we're going to put them on a team and try to play an organized sport. Tremendous.
‘T’ from Green Tree
11:18
Bishop Canevin smart for scheduling some tough games at the start of the season. Makes for a better team once you get in to section games. That’s the way it used to be done. Don’t worry about useless wins, but make your team tougher!!
Mike White
11:18
Gino! Gino! Gino! Gino!
WPIAL Lifer
11:18
Has/will WPIAL share an early list of teams that have opted in for basketball playoffs before the deadline, or will they announce after deadline?
Mike White
11:20
No. They will release list Friday. 99 boys teams have already committed and 93 girls teams. I had it in story today. All 17 Class 6A boys teams are in. I do know that. Even winless Greensburg Salem, which is being outscored by an average of 63-27.
Yankton Ern
11:20
Mike,     I haven’t heard  a whole lot of the Napper kid from Clairton this hoop season.  Is he hurt?  He was a pretty big scorer last year.
Mike White
11:20
Coach told me before season he wasn't playing.
11:21
We ... We believe ... We believe that ... We believe that Beaver .... We believe that Beaver will win!!! We believe that Beaver will win!!! --- All together now
Mike
11:22
Who's your pick to win the 4A girls this year, with NC dropping down
Mike White
11:22
That Beaver comment was answer to your question, Mike
John
11:22
Should high school coaches be able to coach their own schools players on AAU teams. Seems like there could be a conflict
Mike White
11:23
Yes. High school coaches coach players in spring, summer and fall leagues. What's the difference? It's when high school coaches coach players from other teams in AAU, and then try to recruit them ... that's the problem.
WPIAL Lifer
11:23
Has Peters Twp thrown its hat in the ring for WPIAL title game location? Can't wait to see that new gym and they've traditionally hosted plenty of district/state playoff games.
Mike White
11:24
See above. Already talked about Peters gym. Birdie told me it will be used. Birdie is about 90 percent accurate.
Fayette Phil
11:24
Expected Mars to fall off a bit with losing the carmody player and coach.  Who is their new coach and are they as impressive as their record?  Seems like they always have players.  Thanks mike
Mike White
11:25
What? They don't have a new coach. Rob Carmody is still the coach. And I think we had them at No. 3 in Class 5A at start of season. So their season is no surprise. He has a "program" going there.
WPIAL Lifer
11:25
File this comment in the "just sayin" category: teams that dodge tough opponents on their schedule this year should feel ashamed to opt into the playoffs. Like I said, just sayin...
Mike White
11:25
OK. Just sayin' does it really matter this year? I don't think so.
Guest
11:26
Do you guys have stats other than points that you use to make picks for player of the year, fab five and other awards? Like rebounds, assists, etc? Seems like it would be hard to really choose the best players without al that information.
Mike White
11:27
Ahhh, we don't use just points in determining awards. If we did, we would just pick the leading scorers. Go back and look at Fab 5 and Players of the Year. It's not all points. We look at a number of things.
The Black and White
11:27
Think USC could go to the Finals in both Boys and Girls ? And win it ?
Mike White
11:29
No. Absolutely no chance. Why would you even suggest such a thing? It can't happen. ... USC boys are ranked No. 1 and girls are ranked No. 2. So what in the world would give you idea that they both would have a chance to make it to the finals.
Fancy Nancy
11:30
So USC built all those fancy new digs and the WPIAL hasn't used them for anything. What gives ?
Mike White
11:31
Not real sure what you're talking about. In football, higher seeded team had home games through semifinals. It will be the same in basketball. So there haven't been really chances to use new digs. And the only new dig, I believe, is a renovated press box. And by the way, the WPIAL swim championships are at Upper St. Clair this year.
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