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Mike White's high school sports chat: 03.01.22
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Mike White
11:15
No. Lost in the 2016 championship. This is fourth time in semis since 2015.
Second-hand Rose
11:15
Are there any states that use a shot clock for high school basketball?
Mike White
11:16
Yes, I don't know the number now, but I think it's in double figures. I wish PA would adopt it. National Federation voted last year to let each state decide if they want shot clock. Hearing PIAA bosses talk, I would doubt Pa. will get it.
Anon
11:16
Was wondering if you had any numbers for the amount of girls that go D1 in girls soccer ftom
Mike White
11:18
I do not. It's a decent number. But as I've said before, you can't compare number of D-1 scholarships in sports like soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse to football and basketball. I'm not saying those sports aren't good around here, but it's a totally different story in those non-revenue sports in college. Many athletes in those sports might get only one-third of a scholarship or at most one half because of scholarship limits.
ElwoodFan
11:18
Looks like Elwood has squeaked into state playoffs. Will be interesting to see how they do.
Mike White
11:19
Yes, Ellwood is now in state playoffs. But they won't have their coach for two games.
Wpialguy
11:19
any reason why the basketball finals are not televised anymore?
Mike White
11:21
Want honest answer? Money. People don't realize this but it takes money to do live TV and it takes good deal of money just to go into The Pete to do live TV. There are many union workers fees that have to be paid. It's not cheap. 22 The Point is doing semifinal doubleheader tonight from North Allegheny. Cost will be much, much smaller. I think that's great. First semifinal games live on Pittsburgh television since Channel 13 days of 1970s with Chilly Billy Cardille and Bill Hillgrove.
11:23
Incidentally, speaking of costs of championship games. Some have complained about football championships moving from Hershey to Cumberland Valley High School. Penn State put in a bid to have the games. But Altoona Mirror had a story pointing out that Penn State wanted $140,000 a year to host the games. Now do you see why PIAA didn't go there. Can I say that again - $140,000!!!!! That's insane.
Wpialguy
11:23
although wpial may not win many state championships, am I wrong to say the depth of quality teams is more this year? Especially 5a and 6a
Mike White
11:24
Yes, I agree that 5A and 6A teams have good depth of quality teams. But not all classes. From what I see, not much depth of quality teams in 3A and 2A.
Johnny B
11:24
Carmichael from Avonworth is so good and so poised for a freshman. The next 4 years Avonworth is a contender with him you agree? Also I don’t know much about Shady Side but does Avonworth keep this momentum and pull it all off? Thanks Mike
Mike White
11:25
Really good. Just knows how to play. I couldn't understand who South Allegheny had guarding him last night for much of the game, especially in second half. He is very good. Just hope he grows a lot more and needs a lot more muscle. But he's young. At 3A level, lack of size doesn't hurt as much. Shady Side-Avonworth I think is a tossup. I actually think key will be play of Avonworth bigger players.
HSFan
11:25
Well it’s finally here. What are your thoughts on NC/LH?
Mike White
11:27
Been talked about for a while. Anticipated for a while. Only one loss between them. That doesn't happen often in WPIAL title games. Last time was 2002 when New Castle played Uniontown. Some keys: New Castle's rebounding and both teams 3-point shooting.
Wpial Ship
11:27
Does Union have a chance at Gold??
Mike White
11:27
No chance. They should just stay home.
Big Shot
11:28
Does Little old Union have a shot at Canevin
Mike White
11:28
No chance. They should just stay home. Obviously coach Mark Stanley, his two sons and rest of team are afraid.
B Man
11:28
in girls BB who do like in Lebo USC game
WPIAL Pigskin
11:29
Told you last week that Avonworth was capable to getting to the Title game...  Wow, Class 4A is going to be loaded next year....Avonworth, South Allegheny, Laurel Highlands, Highlands, Hampton, West Mifflin all going to be 4A in additional to the already strong QV, Montour, Lincoln Park, North Catholic, and Belle Vernon.  There are literally like 8 title contenders for next year in 4A.
Mike White
11:29
I'll take Lebo.
11:30
You are so intelligent, WPIAL Pigskin. As I said, I don't think 3A has a ton of very good teams. Lot of even teams. Not surprised Avonworth made it. They are playing well at right time.
WPIAL Pigskin
11:30
I heard Peters Township sold too many tickets for Highlands/LH last night and literally people had to stand 3 or 4 deep on the Peters indoor track.   Do you think the lower level will be full at the Pete for New Castle/Laurel Highland
Mike White
11:32
I have no idea if Peters sold too many tickets. There are places to stand at Peters. As for The Pete, they lower level will not be filled. They don't allow fans to sit in end zone seats on lower levels, which I think is ridiculous. That's for cheerleaders and teams in next games. They didn't used to let fans sit in the lower level seats where students sit, either. They finally wised up and opened that up. In 2020 and 2021 there were 6,000 fans for doubleheader Saturday night. Could happen again. Might even happen for that New Castle-Laurel Highlands game Friday. Honestly, it's great to see. Still not close to WPIAL heyday at Civic Arena in 1960s and 1970s when close to 10,000 would show up. But this is nice to see.
Jack
11:33
Could you see Ellwood bouncing back in the state playoffs. Watching the game they had a lot of open shots and missed every one and still almost won the game .
Mike White
11:33
Sure. As I said 3A in WPIAL is very balanced. Not a great team. I don't know what rest of west has, but Ellwood could come back. Other teams who have lost in quarterfinals have made a state run.
ANON
11:33
Whos Your Prediction For 5A Girls Championship
Mike White
11:34
Chartiers Valley.
Gizzeria
11:34
Hi Mike, would you happen to know if a school district has ever won 3 or more WPIAL titles in the same school year?
Mike White
11:34
Heck yeah. North Allegheny does it all the time it seems like.
WPIAL Pigskin
11:34
Amazed that LIncoln Park underachieved so much this year given the fact they have 3 legit D1 players and plucked Aliquippa top player from last year.   Maybe the old "roll the ball out" strategy isn't enough
Mike White
11:36
Well they lost three times to a team that has two of the best players in WPIAL - Markus Frank and Adou Thiero. Those two are better than anyone Lincoln Park has. I'm not saying Markus Frank is a future Division I player, but on high school level, he is terrific. As for Adou, interest keeps picking up on him. I think Indiana Hoosiers are seriously considering offering him at some point in future.
2pts
11:37
What’s the record for most team wpial championships all time
Mike White
11:37
New Castle and Farrell (not in WPIAL any more) have 13 titles each in boys. North Catholic has 20 in girls.
SingleA
11:37
hey Mike. Great time of year. Love reading you during this time! I know Canevin is odds on favorite, but what can Union do to battle. A specific matchup to exploit? Game plan to execute. Saw union Saturday. They are so darn tough. Rooting for them!
Mike White
11:39
I have not seen Union in person. I have seen Canevin. But Mark Stanley's Union teams always seem to have toughness and play good defense. But don't kid yourself. Union has some talent, too. Point guard Matt Stanley needs another big game and they have to stay with Canevin on the boards.
Just Asking
11:39
Mike, give us your best buzzer beater or game ending that you have seen?
Mike White
11:39
That's easy. Lance Jeter's shot at half court to beat Aliquippa in three overtimes in 2005 WPIAL final at Palumbo.
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