You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Mike White's high school sports chat: 03.03.26
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Observer
11:27
This stuff with private schools and transfers has been going on for a long time. Let’s not forget Lincoln park, pine-Richland,and the catholic schools. We should celebrate aliquippa and knock, they both lost starters to transfers and still won championships.
Mike White
11:28
I agree. Great story coach Joe Lafko at Knoch. Bauman brothers leaving really didn't matter at all. As for Aliquippa, it's Aliquippa. Enough said.
WashPa
11:28
Does the PG ever highlight the successes of former WPIAL kids success in college?  W&J is going to the NCAA tournament led by a grad of North Hills and supported by kids from Franklin Regional, South Fayette, Upper St. Clair, Mt Lebanon and Hempfield.
Mike White
11:29
You're talking about the legendary Matt Seidl from North Hills. Has had a great career at W and J. Yes, we sometimes have stories on local players doing things at Div. II and III. But we don't have one certain writer assigned to do that.
Johnny
11:29
  • What did u think of the 6a boys game nc usc?
Mike White
11:30
Great game. I think the best of the weekend. Shame it had to be decided, though, on mistakes by New Castle. But was still a great game. Intensity was so high from both teams.
Chuck
11:30
Was the NC staff aware that Graham had 4 fouls? It looked like it was never communicated. He could’ve picked up his 5th a minute before he eventually did. He is phenomenal and hopefully this will be a learning experience.
Mike White
11:31
Marino is awesome. Looking back at entire season, I think he was New Castle's best player. I'm sure New Castle knew he had four fouls. But do you take the kid out in the fourth quarter of the championship game? I don't know about that.
Cry More
11:31
The New Castle fans still crying about the officials in the game. They won't admit their young star took dumb fouls and got himself fouled out with 4 minutes left. They think their is a referee bias for Allegheny County teams. Can't they just admit they lost to a better team. USC was 21-1 for a reason
Mike White
11:32
Two teams were evenly matched. Both teams got away with fouls in that game - at least in my eyes.
X
11:32
I was wondering the same about Prosser.  He can stroke it, but he is also STRONG.   He gets to the rim and he can defend.  It makes me appreciate what it must take to get to D1.   Carmichael scoring avg has held pretty constant through the year...something like 16.4.   He's shooting 43% from 3 and he shoots a lot of them.   He also work on the defensive end...plays hard challenging the ball handler.  Did he d up in high school?  Just curious if he's adapted his game out of necessity or if he always played both ways.
Mike White
11:33
Knock against Rowan was always his size and build. Could he guard at D-1 level? With another really good year, maybe he goes up to D-1. We'll see.
Willie from Moon
11:33
Did the PIAA approve Obama's Eric James' eligibility for the state playoffs?
Mike White
11:34
Apparently District 8 (City League) approved him for playoffs.
ThePassingFactory
11:34
Why would anyone want to give up the experience of potentially playing for a WPIAL title at the Pete to play for what is essentially an AAU Prep of HS program?  The majority of kids aren't playing high-level college hoops and the WIPS are the best experience they may ever have.
Mike White
11:34
Who are you referring to?
Mr Ed
11:34
You mentioned USC has a “program”. Aside from the “Jimmy and Joes”, is that what separates the Holzers, Palkos, Cherpaks, is their ability through personality, leadership, organizational skills or some other quality to get buy in from kids and parents and community at early ages to develop players by time they get to high school?
Mike White
11:35
Agree. High school coaches can greatly impact kids, probably more than any level.
X
11:35
As a basketball guy, some would even say a basketball savant, if you had to give kids advice on only one skill to hone if they want to play after high school, what skill would it be?
Mike White
11:36
Can't name just one. There's a number. But shooting would be a good start.
11:39
How about this: Some of the greatest news I heard from The Pete this weekend came from WPIAL boss Vince Sortino. He told me he's going to open the end zone seats on the floor at The Pete next year for the students. Woooo hooooo. Should've been done a long time ago. Ridiculous they don't put students there. Would add a lot more to atmosphere. And please don't tell me about security concerns. Student sections are closer to court in gyms in playoff games.
Chuck
11:40
I don’t think you sub Graham out. But I was just shocked he played so aggressively with the 4 fouls, something that would not have happened if it was communicated. It just seemed out of character for such a great player and coach. Did anyone ask Blundo in the press conference if he knew?
Mike White
11:40
I wouldn't have taken him out, either.
QuipNation
11:41
Qa'lil Goode finally getting recognition for the great contributions he's made to Quips football and basketball success.  What took so long?
Mike White
11:42
There are 120-some schools in WPIAL we cover. Get in line for the "we don't enough recognition."
Todd
11:42
I bet the Pratt brothers wished they stayed at Aliquippa rather than falling for Bariski’s tomfoolery.
Mike White
11:42
Haven't asked them.
Basketball school
11:45
Can we declare USC a "Basketball school" now because it certainly isn't a "Football school" anymore
Mike White
11:45
Ha ha.
Yikes
11:45
You mentioned usc having a great program and you are correct.
Do you notice how all of the coaches who allow a player shoot the ball 25+ times a game never made it very far in playoffs?
Mike White
11:47
South Allegheny made it to championship for second year in a row. Drew Cook shoots a lot (not sure how many). Girls teams who had players shoot more than 20 times a game made it far, too. There are teams that need a "lead guy," someone who can score, and they don't make it far, either.
V
11:47
Carmichael and Prosser are examples of kids who were overlooked and underestimated for sure.  That has been happening for decades and many hall of fame D2 and NAIA kids fit that bill.  30-40 years ago they would have stayed 4 years and broke records and had their jersey retired and been in the Hall of Fame.  I often wonder if any of the older records at any school will be broken.  No one that good will stick around.  Hard to blame them if they can get paid something to play D1.  Not sure how much guys are making in the MAAC for example but those 2 and I am sure a handful of others in the PSAC are going to find out at some point.
Mike White
11:48
NILs and transfer portal have hurt high school kids immensely. Coaches at D-1 say, "Why should I take a kid who might not be physically ready and I have to develop for two years when I could take a transfer who has played one or two years already."
Upset Special
11:48
What are some of the bigger upsets you remember from the past 25 years or so? Does Ringgold over LP rank as one of the bigger ones?
Mike White
11:50
Answered this question before. West Allegheny No. 16 seed winning WPIAL in 2007. Canevin beating Beaver Falls, No. 1 team in the state, in 1986 first round.
Stat guy
11:50
In football you compile passing, rushing, receiving stats. I wish you would include shooting percentages with the points per game stats leaders.
Mike White
11:51
You'd be surprised how many teams don't keep that, or rebounding stats.
Chuck
11:51
Is Graham in contention for Fab 5? How many freshman have made it before?
Mike White
11:51
One freshman has made it. Rodney Gallagher.
Mighty Mighty Colts
11:51
Char Valley just took TJ apart in the finals. Are they the best team in the WPIALs not just 5a. The entire league ? If you had to rank the programs 1a-6a what would they be ?
Connecting…