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Mike White's high school sports chat: 02.25.25
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Mike White
10:59
Most of WPIAL basketball championships are set, but still some semifinal games tonight. A few surprises so far, some good storylines. How bout we talk about it. Let's start chatting.
Deuce
10:59
Any WPIAL teams going to win the State PIAA championships?
Mike White
11:00
Had this question a few times in recent weeks. I would say four at the most. Two in boys and two in girls.
Wpial Dawg
11:00
Nice Surprise in 2A with Jeanette and Union making the finals!! Jeanette has some players!
Mike White
11:02
Obviously so, with Jeannette. And holding Sewickley to 25 points in the semis. How 'bout that? Great job by Jeannette and Coach Batts. But should we really be that surprised? I mean, Jeannette does have a pretty good basketball tradition.
Lawrence County Takeover
11:02
union boys at 5 and new castle at 9! Lawrence county takeover at the pete on friday.
Mike White
11:03
Wooooo hooooo!!!! Lawrence County pride. Is Lawrence County named after Lawrence "Deuce" Skurcenski? Just wondering.
Mr. Rogers Neighborhood
11:03
It is nice to see the stands packed for these Semi-Final Games. Nothing beats the atmospheres in these gyms for the semi finals.
Mike White
11:05
I've said many times that WPIAL semifinals in basketball and sometimes state semifinals are the best parts of the high school sports year. The days of semis in Palumbo, Pitt Field House and even Civic Arena were great, too. Part of me wishes they were still in a bigger venue for the bigger classes. But having them in high school guy, the atmosphere is electric for some of these games. I love it.
Steve From Coraopolis
11:05
What is the overall sentiment when it comes to the consolation games? Definitely a better system than follow-the-winner however, I can see that there could be some pointless games being played down the stretch.
Mike White
11:07
Well, many fans and coaches wanted play-back games. So the WPIAL went with it. Some other districts do it also. And I don't have any problem with play-back games, either. Object is to get best teams to state playoffs. And with follow-the-leader approach before, the best teams weren't getting in sometimes while lesser teams were making the state playoffs. I know it's hard to get up for a consolation game two days after you lose in semis, but so what. They're kids. They like to play games.
Philly Catholic League
11:08
Saw that Father Judge won the Philly Catholic league for the first time since 1998. They now play Ihmotep to determine district 12 one seed. With how good Philly is at hoops, do any WPIAL teams have a realistic shot at winning states? I could see Aliquippa and Neighborhood making runs. I am not too sure about the other classes. Thanks Mike! Enjoy the chat.
Mike White
11:14
Well, maybe there isn't a national power in Philly like some other years, but don't kid yourself. There are still powerful teams. Imhotep is now 6A and is still good. So is Roman, despite the loss to Father Judge. And now Father Judge is in the picture. Neumann-Goretti doesn't appear to be quite what they were in past. There isn't a top 50 player in country in Philly jr. or sr. class, but still plenty of talent. Devon Prep is now pretty good also.
Hoops Fan
11:14
What is the criteria for the Fab 5? Is it a career achievement or more season based? Do scholarship offers matter? Team success? Individual stats? How valuable they are to their team? There are a lot of variables to consider with all those factors.
Mike White
11:16
No, scholarships don't matter. Of course, many times your best players do get recruited. It's a number of things. we look at stats, but don't go only by stats. Team success helps - and it should. Our high school staff picks it but we also get opinions from coaches and that is valuable also. It's not just one thing.
TM
11:17
Peters Twp. has a chance for boys/girls WPIAL hoops sweep. When was the last time that happened in the same year? Do you have the stats for how often that has happened all-time? Seems like something I don't remember hearing about that often in hoops.
Mike White
11:18
More often than you think. Close to 20 times now. It happened only two years ago with Bishop Canevin. And in 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
JD
11:18
How long do you think Eric Kasperowicz will remain at Mars, and when he leaves will he take another high school job or jump to college?
Mike White
11:19
Wow. An Eric Kasperowicz question right in the middle of basketball playoffs. OK. No idea how long he will stay at Mars. I would say a couple years, although he has given no indication. He still has a daughter at Mars. But yes, I know Eric would maybe like to get into college one day, but it has to be right situation.
Robin
11:19
what's the outlook for Shaler baseball this year mike
Mike White
11:20
Not 100 percent sure. I know they lost some good players to graduation - two all-section players. But also some players back, namely Colby Weber, who should be one of the top pitchers around.
Mail Man
11:21
New Castle has better guards and USC has better bigs.  This should be a fun game to watch.  This should be a game won with the clipboard.
Mike White
11:23
Don't underestimate Upper St. Clair guards. They can shoot it at times - and Dahlem has been a starter for, what, three years now? They defend pretty well also. I think a key is going to be can New Castle get some open looks, will New Castle shoot it well and rebounding. Coach Ralph Blundo gave an interesting stat last night. In the previous three games, New Castle had given up only five offensive rebounds. But now this is USC with 6-10 Tyler Robbins and his 6-7 brother. Plus, trying to finish at the rim with 6-10 and 6-7 as basket protectors makes shooting paramount for USC opponents.
BHS79
11:23
What happened to the Highlanders?  Such a great regular season, too bad they couldn't get one more win.
Mike White
11:27
You're talking about Baldwin. Got upset first round. They were a good team. Not a great team. Kind of like most of 5A. 5A has a number of pretty good teams, but I still think Montour is the best. But interesting game tonight with Montour against Char Valley.
John
11:27
Many people were shocked with the resignation of Humbert at BVA, many people also immediately speculated he'll be back in a few years at TJ when Cherpak retires, he lives there, his kids go there, it almost makes too much sense...what say you Mike?
Mike White
11:28
No idea where Humbert lives - and I don't think TJ is really looking ahead who to hire when Cherpak does retire.
Lenny
11:28
Who are some names you think might be a good fit at BVA since Humbert is done?
Mike White
11:28
Bap Manzini.
Jus Sayin
11:28
Why do you report on Liam Sheely but not Trey Schacter. D1 commit who won a city championship not good enough for you? Shame on you and the entire PG staff.
Mike White
11:28
What?
Ryan
11:28
who wins tonight’s Peter’s township mars game i have Mars winning
Mike White
11:30
That's a tough one. Mars is playing well, and obviously so is Peters Township. I don't know if anyone had Mars and Peters playing for a shot at the title game when the playoffs started. Good guard play on both sides. I'll go Peters in a close one.
WPIAL 4A Boys Hoops Fan
11:31
Belle Vernon vs. North Catholic in 4A Championship.  Thur night at 9pm.  Should be a great one!   Belle Vernon has bunch of tough competitive kids and again showed they have a supporting cast to Zion Moore against Avonworth.  North Catholic blasted Beaver and only has one loss this year against WPIAL school, Knoch, which Belle Vernon beat.  Great matchup that could go either way in my opinion.  Your thoughts?
Mike White
11:33
Belle Vernon really plays physical and they are much more than Moore. When I saw them in January against Knoch, I thought then they had a chance to win it. But North Catholic very good. I'm telling ya'. Guards are good and they play Jim Rocco's system extremely well. Will Belle Vernon's size be the difference? I think it's close. I'll go Belle Vernon, although a North Catholic win would not surprise.
Who wins
11:33
USC or New Castle. Who you got ?
Mike White
11:33
USC.
Panther Power
11:33
Could we see both USC teams in the finals and winning both boys and girls. Is this the year Pete Serio FINALLY wins the title ?
Mike White
11:35
I've said this before. I think 6A girls is very down this year. Just a matter of not many teams (12), and some usually good teams weren't all that good this year (example: North Allegheny). USC is not overwhelming but definitely has a shot. They were without guard Prunzik (injury) but she might be back tonight.
Jayhawk 75
11:35
At the Jeannette game last night, great win for a community based team. All the talk about the bigs from that private school sure did resonate in Jeannette’s locker room.   The “big men” from Jeannette all 6-0, 6-2 and 6-2 played with a football mentality and totally shut down  Sewickley’s inside game and their guards were non existent. Maybe with a few more donations they can make more improvements.
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