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Mike White's high school sports chat: 02.27.24
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Mike White
11:00
Well, here we are. Most of basketball championships have been set. One more night of semifinals. There have been some terrific games so far, and good storylines. Crowds for many semifinal games, and even quarterfinals, have been terrific. Part of the reason I say WPIAL basketball semifinals are best part of WPIAL sports year. So let's go with chat. Do you feel chatty? I see many questions already teed up.
Guest
11:00
Playback games are good for determining who makes states but do we really need them for seeding? If you lose in WPIALs who cares what your seed is for PIAA bracket
Mike White
11:01
Sorry, you're wrong. They do care. Want an example? A number of classes, seven teams from WPIAL go to PIAA playoffs. So one team that loses in quarterfinals will be out. Why not play them off and settle it on the court, rather than who lost to championship team in quarters? Without playbacks, often the best teams aren't in states.
White shadow
11:02
With all of the youth and AAU  teams do you find it odd that the overall quantity of talent players has decreased.
Mike White
11:05
Sorry, but AAU doesn't necessarily make players more talented. Sometimes it even hurts kids fundamentals. It's not like those kids are practicing a lot and working on some skills. A lot of just playing games. And at least in Western Pa. the talent level has decreased the past 10-20 years. It's about the same as it has been the past 30 years. Western Pa. started producing many fewer Div. 1 players in 1980s. Plus, we've had some good years with Power 5 guys. I think talent level now in Western Pa. is same as many previous years in past two decades. Some of the best players have left.
Guest
11:05
What a game between TJ and Moon. Did we watch 2 fab five players in that game ?
Mike White
11:06
What do you think? We at P-G vote on Fab 5 and get a number of coaches to give us votes also. But Elijah Guillory and Evan Berger certainly are up there in tops. In fact, right now they would get my vote.
old school
11:06
Two part question:  (1) will Bishop McCort roll through the SW Regionals this weekend and (2) will their "plan" of having all transfers coming in sitting a year be used by other schools.  I believe they self report now and check the box and actually say kids are transferring there for athletic intent. Do you think this will be a new trend, come to my school as 9th grader, sit your year and then in some cases re-classify.
Mike White
11:08
You're talking about wrestling. I'm not a big follower of wrestling but yes I've hard McCort got a number of transfers who sat out last year and now can wrestle. They might have a lot of winners in regional. Just proves once again private/public school problem. Did those kids going to McCort move? I don't know the answer to that. Or did they just go to McCort and stay in their own districts?
Alice
11:08
Tomorrow is likely the last time the amazing Joseph Roth has little time between two major athletic events on consecutive days. After returning from Yough (1.5-hr. drive) around 10:30 pm after Ellwood City’s game, he will be back at Pitt’s Trees Pool Thursday for the WPIAL 2A Swim Championships for Riverside, warmups around 1 pm, competition at 3 pm. Can he pull off any upsets (seeded 2nd in 2 events, free relays seeded 4th/3rd) to bring home more gold to add to his collection? “It’s just what I do” when asked how he excels in 2 sports in the same season. 
I think I can speak for the entire Ellwood City/Riverside community thanking you for coverage of such a humble young man, The Splash Brothers, and one of the nicest families you’ll ever meet. I’ve known them for 20 years and they’ve never changed. We can’t wait to see Joseph swimming in college.  BTW, baseball is around the corner. Although this is not one of Joe’s major sports, given his strength, I wouldn’t want to be an opposing batter.
Mike White
11:10
I've said it before. Joseph Roth is one of the best athlete stories in the history of the WPIAL. State record holder and state champ in swimming. Just went over 2,000 points in basketball last week. Has more than 1,000 career rebounds. It's rare you find an athlete do those two sports, let alone stand out in both. I mean when he went over 2,000 points in last week's quarterfinals, he went to swim practice before the game. Who does this? One of a kid and extremely humble kid. I love his story. One of my favorites in 40 plus years of covering high school sports at P-G.
Alice
11:10
Speaking of baseball, for Riverside, the dominating Christian Luccarelli returns. Watch for Zach Hare, a junior, who is now throwing a 90-mph fastball. If he has good control, this will give Riverside a strong 1-2 punch in their rotation. They only lost a few seniors, so should return a strong team this year. Also, remember the name Owen Beatrice, sophomore from North Catholic and one of PA’s top ranked players in the Class of 2026. Thank you.
Mike White
11:11
OK, thanks. Yes, I would imagine Riverside would be No. 1 team in the state in their class, considering what they have back. And Dan "The Man" Oliastro back for another year.
Alice
11:11
I always looked at our section as Mohawk being the toughest (senior loaded except for Fadden), then Ellwood and Neshannock about equal, depending what team showed up to play on a given night. With Ellwood not playing their best game and giving Deer Lakes all they could handle, and Neshannock giving Deer Lakes all they could handle last night, Deer Lakes finds a way to win although I’m still not impressed by their #1 ranking after attending/watching both games. I expected a Mohawk/Deer Lakes final, but watching the Burrell/Mohawk game and Burrell shutting down Fadden, I’m very impressed with Burrell. Although they’ve lost to Deer Lakes by 21 and 3 points, they appear to be much stronger and on a roll. Thoughts on a prediction for this final? Thank you.
Mike White
11:16
I've said all year, Class 3A is wide open. It's not that there's bad teams, but there's no exceptional teams. Deer Lakes could easily win it. They've survived last two games on last-second shots. And then there's Burrell, in the finals for only the third time. They are definitely a suprised but a good example of the parity that exists in this class. First time Burrell was in championship I was there. At Civic Arena vs. Beaver Falls. Who can forget the blond bomber for Burrell? Joey "Sonar" Myers. Franklin Regional beat North Hills girls in first game of championship doubleheader. I was a junior at North Hills and came to see friends play. Then Boo Kirby made a half court shot to let Midland beat Ford City. Then Burrell was ahead of Beaver Falls. I left with two minutes left, thinking I'd beat traffic and Burrell would win. I got home to see on news Beaver Falls came back and won. What a dolt I was for leaving, but I was 16 and afraid of driving downtown in traffic. Ha ha.
Mustang Nation
11:16
How do you see Laurel Highlands matching up against Blackhawk tonight?
Mike White
11:16
Don't know much about Laurel Highlands, but I'll take Blackhawk.
Beaver County Fan
11:16
With the CV coaching situation, I'm sure there will be a lot of comments on parental interference and lack of administrative support for coaches today. Here is mine: Administrators don't have the same job protection that teachers do via a union, meaning that a wealthy or influential parent can effect the administrator's employment within a school district. Most administrators have to appease these parents or find themselves unemployed. Many children of these influential individuals know it and take advantage. I'm sure you have seen this in your long career around HS sports. Thoughts?
Mike White
11:21
Nope. Totally disagree. It's not just superintendents giving in to parents. It's other administrators - and not just in sports. And often times it's knucklehead parents. It's like we're afraid to listen to parents and then say, "Sorry, I listened to you - now beat it." Discipline in schools lacking because teachers feel they can't stand up to students or teachers because they don't get backing. And I hear this from many, many places. Of course, no parent nowadays think they're kid did anything wrong. Cell phones are such a problem in schools and administrators and school boards know it. But they don't do anything about it. Sorry for the rant, but I don't think administrations not being a union is the problem.
Ballerz
11:22
Mike - all year long I have said Elijah Guillory has to be the most undervalued player. What is RMU and Duquesne doing by not offering him? RMU is getting smacked and Duquesne continues to underachieve. I saw Youngstown State finally offered. The facts that more schools haven't is baffling to me. I think he could in the MAC, Horizon, A10 type leagues.
Mike White
11:24
Totally agree. Honestly, I think the transfer portal really hurts a kid like him, who is definitely a low Division I player. Colleges don't know who they're losing and they'll wait to see who they can get in portal because they need a quick fix. That hurts kids like Guillory. But I agree. He is a Division I player. Not saying Power 5. But somewhere. But sometimes the more you win in postseason, the more you get to show your talent in big games, a few colleges notice. Let's hope some do. Honestly, I talked to a few small college coaches at game last night. They can't believe the kid doesn't have more D-1 offers.
North2South
11:24
TJ/Moon - what a game...How does it rank for you in games you've seen in recent memory?
Mike White
11:28
It's right up there in recent years. First, two good teams. Two of the best players around having big games. A semifinal game. Gigantic crowd, people standing. Student sections were tremendous. Loud. Close game. Came down to final seconds. You see games like that - and others in playoffs - and it proves: High school basketball is still a really good thing. Some players around the country might go to these "basketball" schools and prep schools. That's fine. But high school basketball still is a really good thing. Anyone who watched that game last night and didn't get a charge out of it, then you don't have a pulse.
Beaver County Fan
11:28
The parent dynamic in relation to athletics is especially sensitive in private schools. I have a family member who teaches and coaches at an exclusive private school in another state, and disciplining the children both as students and as athletes (and getting administrative support) can be difficult, as the parents of these children are donors to the school and have significant influence.
Mike White
11:28
Yes, I can see that with private schools.
Ballerz
11:28
Mike - are you able to watch any of the WPIAL finals through streaming? Not going to the Pete - hate the venue. Parking blows. Traffic sucks. Got to sit a mile from the court. Its BS these games aint at Duquesne or RMU.
Mike White
11:29
I believe they will be livestreamed through NFHS network. You have to buy a subscription for that, though. KDKA radio will broadcast all games.
Jeff
11:29
Mike You were right about Franklin Regional making it to the finals and have done so impressively. What needs to be done to beat Moon ? GO FR and see you at the Pete on Friday !
Mike White
11:31
I expect a close one. One of the most interesting finals. I think it's a tossup. Honestly, I think Franklin might play some zone. Isn't that what they played against Shaler? I think a key will be how well Moon's "others" do, besides Guillory. Moon has some length, too, that could be a factor.
Danny Mac
11:31
Hi Mike, I know that high school track and field along with cross country do not get a lot of press but have you ever seen more high end talent with both the boys and girls?  Where does the current group it rank in WPIAL history.  Thanks.
Mike White
11:32
Oh that's hard to say. You know we've had pretty darn good track and field athletes for ages. But I will say I don't remember having this good of a group of distance runners at one time, including Butler's Drew Griffith, who last weekend ran the best indoor two mile in U.S. high school history. Ringgold's Ryan Pajak is a stud, too.
Mike
11:32
GCC or Northgate tonight??
Mike White
11:33
Tough one. I'm going GCC. I will be there.
Hunter B.
11:33
They say styles make fights. Lincoln Park and Hampton play two completely different styles of basketball. What's your analysis on how this game might shake out?
Mike White
11:35
Sure is different styles. Hampton can be methodical at times, running that flex offensive set. But as Hampton coach Joe Lafko said, tough to control pace because Lincoln Park makes you play fast. It will be interesting to see if 6-9 Liam Mignogna can be a big factor. But it will be tough for Hampton because I just think Lincoln Park has more overall talent.
Joe
11:35
Who are the favorites for athlete of the year?
Mike White
11:35
Joseph Roth has to be one of them. I know this a "one-trick pony" but this Frazier wrestler Rune Lawrence has to be considered.
Brady Lockwich
11:35
Hello Mike, what are your opinions on Mt. Lebanon v Baldwin game tonight? Should be a pretty good atmosphere I expect.
Mike White
11:36
Yes, it should. I think a lot depends on Mt. Lebanon shooting. They can really shoot it at times. They beat Baldwin twice. Once was close. I'll take Lebo in a close one.
Pete from peters
11:36
Why does bob palko keep job hopping?  Claims he wants to spend more time with family, then he has a new job.  Then he claims he needs to focus on health but applies at central and takes job at penn state.  Then he applies to be AD which is very long hours.  What is the deal with him?
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