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Mike White's high school sports chat: 03.03.25
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Mike White
10:56
WPIAL basketball championships are complete. Plenty to talk about there. State playoffs start Friday. How many WPIAL teams have a chance to win a state title? I'd say don't expect many. Last year, only one girls team (Blackhawk) from WPIAL made finals and four boys teams. I'd say expect 3-4 titles for WPIAL this year at most. Anyway, floor is now open for questions.
11:17
Had some technical difficulties gettin chat started. It's now up and running and open for questions or comments.
40stripes-retired
11:17
Hi Mike.  Good showing from Lawrence County with NC boys, Union boys, Union girls and Neshannock girls.  Unfortunately, only one championship - but it's a third consecutive from the Union girls.  Nice season (thus far) at 25-0.
Mike White
11:20
Union 22nd girls team to ever win WPIAL title with undefeated record. Nice. I thought Neshannock girls would win. Great work by Aliquippa girls. How 'bout how Aliquippa girls have turned around that program? Union boys. Surprise they got there. Had terrible day shooting against Jeannette, but I think Jeannette was just better team. But still nice showing by Lawrence County.
Blackhawk Down
11:21
Was the charge call on the Blackhawk girl the worst you’ve ever seen? Man would I hate to be that ref. He can’t be sleeping well after seeing the replay.
Mike White
11:22
Honestly, I didn't see it. I was still writing up South Allegheny-Aliquippa game. Coach Huston was still upset in media session after game. Said it was the worst call he had ever seen. Hate to see a game come down to block/charge call. All I know is this. I talked to many people since - including coaches. Not one thought it was right call. But they said something probably had to be called.
Your Cuz
11:23
Hey Cuz, being the hockey savant that you are, should the Penguins suggest to their goalies that they play without the blindfolds?  Just to see how it goes.  Can't hurt
Mike White
11:24
Ahhhh, perfect time for hockey question. I think it's time to put Les Binkley back in goal. Have him play without a mask, too.
ABC
11:26
Mike, great coverage this past weekend on all games. Do you know if WPIAL plans to release the full post-game press conferences with athletes/coaches? Saw some clips through social media but think it would be nice to see the full presser. Thanks.
Mike White
11:27
No, there is no such thing. WPIAL isn't filming those things. They simply bring the teams to the media room. Those videos are all clips from media people there. They release them personally.
Hoops Fan
11:27
Comment and question: Great to HS students out cheering for classmates. But there is a line between cheering and taunting. “Fire Capel!!!!!!” by GCC students…not good.
Mike White
11:27
I agree. That was bad. Real bad.
Hoops Fan
11:30
Question: Can we get the WPIAL to get fouls up on the main jumbo screen? What would it take, especially when 5 fouls per quarter would help to be known. Thoughts?
Mike White
11:31
I agree. Would be nice if they also put the points and fouls of players in game up on screen -- like they do at college games. Heck, like they do at a lot of high school scoreboards. Not sure the reason for that. I'm sure it might be cost, but it would sure would be nice. Would also be nice to let students down in end zones of that first level. But  that is probably never going to happen.
BrutalCall
11:31
In reference to the Blackhawk/Oakland game, if something needed called then call a BLOCKING FOUL. She was moving, in the air, never set, AND falling away for the offensive player. Sad ending to a hard fought game.
Mike White
11:33
Again, I did not see the call. Just have talked to numerous people, including coaches. Like I said, hate to see something come down to block/charge call. I don't know what else to say. New Castle-Laurel Highlands a few years ago also came down to foul call. I remember a Char Valley title game for boys came down to block/charge call. Tough to take when you're on the wrong end of those calls.
11:34
PROGRAM NOTE: Since we got started late because of technical difficulties, let's keep this chat going to maybe 12:15 or so.
Panther4life
11:34
Sewickley’s attempt to buy/recruit a championship team didn’t work out in year one.  Any hope for next year you think?
Mike White
11:36
You said that, not me. But only three seniors on roster. I think all top players are back, including the two 6-8 kids. Plus, you never know who else might show up.
11:39
OK, MVPs from just championship games. One boy and one girl from all games. BOYS: Tough choice between Neighborhood Academy's Courtney Wallace and Chartiers Valley's Jayden Davis. I'll go Wallace. GIRLS: I'll go Greensburg Central Catholic's Erica Gribble.
11:40
Anyone have pick for boys and girls coach of the year so far? I think you have to wait until after states. But who would you pick right now?
Fan
11:41
Holzer
Mike White
11:41
Yes, definitely one to be considered.
11:46
Yes, excellent job by Stanley. Excellent career. But does he get it when he didn't win it? I have 3-4 choices: In no order, Tony DiCenzo, Joe Salvino, Corey Dotchin, would be my top three right now, but that could change.
40stripes-retired
11:46
Right now?  Mark Stanley.  Getting #8 seed to AA boys final.  Coach of the half century?  JoJo Salvino going out on top of the WPIAL in AAAA.
Mike White
11:46
Sorry, the answer above is to this question.
4A Hoops Guy
11:57
Looks like Cathedral Prep is just running through teams in Class 4A Boys up in D-10.  Will they eventually end Salvino's great career?
Mike White
11:59
Yes, Cathedral Prep has been impressive lately. But you don't know how good some of those teams are that they beat, like Sharon or Farrell. Prep is 17-8. Played on WPIAL team in Aliquippa and Prep won 54-46. Does that tell you something? They just beat a pretty good McDowell team, 51-35. Cathedral Prep is always good. But you wouldn't see a Cathedral Prep-Belle Vernon game until the semis. Biggest question is whether the Prep student section is still good as it used to be? Used to be the best.
COOP'er
11:59
What about Reply in HS? Hey the NFHS is broacasting/streaming most games ?   Let's get it right ?  The best officials in the world know they have a backup if something is in question. HS should have it also (especially in the last 2 minutes or .05 seconds of a game.
Mike White
12:02
NFHS put in a rule about 10-15 years ago that replay could be used, but only to determine if last second shot was good  - and only can be used in state championships. Putting in replay for foul calls in high school? I don't know if you want to go there.
GoAwayPete
12:03
Mike. The kids that play probably love it, but the Pete is just a bad venue for the finals. It’s too big, the crowds are too far away and it’s terrible getting in and out of. I really wish they’d move it.
Mike White
12:07
There are many tentacles to this thing. I agree that for a number of caves with small crowds, it's cavernous. But in recent years, there have been really good crowds for Friday and Saturday night doubleheaders. For example, in 2022 10,377 for Saturday games and 10,170 for Friday games. Duquesne or Robert Morris couldn't hold them - and it would be horrible to turn away people for a high school game, although it has happened at Duquesne in the past. But crowds were down this year considerably. I will tell you that WPIAL says it will look at other possibilities, but they do that every year. Maybe it is time to get out of The Pete.
Cameron H.
12:15
Mike, my alma mater Cranberry Berries boys and girls both made the state tournament. Favorite mascots in Pennsylvania? Look up the Super Berry. That's an icon.
Mike White
12:18
Wait, I thought their nickname was Berries. Is it Super Berries? That's a good one, but there are some others I like more. Biglerville Canners. Boiling Springs Bubblers. Ben Franklin Electrons. Northampton Konkrete Kids. How about Mars Planets and Canon-McMillan Big Macs in WPIAL? But my favorite: North East Grape Pickers. Imagine, "we believe ... we believe in Grape Pickers!" ... Or "Ahhhh, you guys are nothing but a bunch of Grape Pickers." Reply: "Yes we are."
Johnny Hoops
12:18
Any thoughts on how Allderdice Basketball will be next year? They’re losing Trey Schactor a highly touted d1 recruit.
Mike White
12:19
And that question and comment means it's time to get the heck out of here. See ya everybody. We'll be back to regular time and day next week. Tuesday at 11 a.m. I'll be on the road doing a little traveling tomorrow. Everyone, be good.
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