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Mike White's high school sports chat: 03.05.24
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Mike White
10:57
Well, the WPIAL basketball championships are in the books. A new season starts this Friday - state playoffs. Spring sports just around the corner. So, let's open the vault with all the questions.
10:59
By the way, once again attendance was very good at The Pete. About 20,500 for three days. That's good. No, it's not like 1960s and 70s at Civic Arena, but those days are long gone. Basketball attendance for playoffs has been very good for past 5-8 years. So has attendance at some other championships in other sports. Funny, though, how football playoff attendance has dropped considerably in last decade or so. Here's column on it: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/highschool/2024/03/05/mike-white-s...
LeboKid
10:59
Good morning, Mike. While it's still early days, have you received any feedback from local high school coaches about Pitt's new coaching additions, particularly defensive line coach Tim Daoust? Replacing Charlie Partridge will be difficult, not only as a coach, but as a recruiter, too. Hopefully Daoust and new OC Kade Bell have begun outreach to local coaches and establishing relationships with these guys. Thanks, Mike.
Mike White
11:00
Sorry, but I don't really cover Pitt assistant coaches hirings. I do think Partridge was a decent recruiter, though.
HOOPS
11:00
Armstrong's Emma Paul might be the most impressive player I have seen all year- not just the shots she was making, but the court vision, defense, etc.  Hard to believe she isn't playing in college.
Mike White
11:02
I loved Emma Paul's performance in title game. 36 points. Does everything. Can shoot. Gets into the lane. Really good passer. She might have had the best performance of all girls this weekend. Her team just didn't win. I know she's going to Fairmont State for softball. She isn't the biggest player. Only 5-5. Thing is, I've seen players her size, even this year, who aren't as good as her end up at Division I schools. Maybe schools backed off because of softball? Whatever, she's a real player.
LeboKid
11:02
Mike: do you have any insights about the new MtL coach, Greg Perry? The Blue Devil Club said that he played at K.O. in the '70s, and was most recently the OC at Canon-Mac. Aside from that, don't know much about him. Is he known in coaching circles as having a particular offensive philosophy? Hopeful that this HC hire works out this time around. Thanks, Mike.
Mike White
11:03
Yes, he was recently OC at Canon-McMillan. Coached KO number of years. Known as a QB coach and offensive coach. Trains QBs in offseason. Good guy.
Mister Ed
11:03
Did New Castle play a lot of underclassmen this year? Do you expect them to return to form next year?
Mike White
11:04
Yes, they have a number of their top players back, including coach's son, Ralphie Blundo. He averaged over 20 a game this year. Plus, I hear they have a very good 8th grader who will help.
Basketball guy
11:04
Mike! How bout them highlanders… not the game outcome but the community!! Came out in full force. Talk about a showing.
Mike White
11:05
You're talking about Baldwin. Had to be the biggest student section since games have been at The Pete. Great to see. They usually keep students to one section in end zone. But there were so many of them from Baldwin that they had to open another section. I didn't sit there and count, but I did count number in first row of student section. About 20. So they had to have more than 500 there in student section. Purple passion, brother. I guess that's what can happen when you haven't been there in 39 years.
Rumor mill
11:07
Thoughts on the beaver boys basketball program? 3 coaches in 6 years now… beaver might as well let the parents coach if they are gonna keep doing this.
Mike White
11:08
Sorry I have no idea what's going on with Beaver program.
Thick Swan
11:09
Big Mike! Them quips reminded them catholic school boys what real basketball is like. Pratt is looking prime!!
Mike White
11:09
Josh Pratt had best individual performance of the championships. 36 points and seven 3's. Impressive. Certainly one to watch for the future.
That guy who always mentions allderdice
11:10
Mike!! How bout those dice guys?! Not buddy’s team that’s for sure. Buddy’s team > life itself. Can’t compare them… nope nope nope. Where does this dice team stack against the Chicago Bulls 96-97?! Are the Perry commodores next up ?!
Mike White
11:11
Yes, Allderdice lost to McDowell in sub-regional. McDowell is pretty good. Allderdice had a good team, not great. Losing Major Rainey to injury was gigantic. Not close to same team without him. Loss to McDowell was not surprising.
Old Timer
11:11
NFHS announcers doing the North Catholic girls game were talking about the all-star coaching staff the team has. With cuts to academic programs, no public school could ever assemble an all-star coaching staff. A lot of public schools are lucky to have more than two coaches.
Mike White
11:16
I don't know all of the North Catholic assistants. I just looked at their roster. Yes, assistants are former players. Good for them. But you act like this staff is Lisa Leslie, Cheryl Miller and Nancy Lieberman. And I have no idea what you're trying to say about staffs with public schools. Look at North Allegheny's staff. They have two former Fab 5 players on staff. And obviously you haven't seen some of these staffs at public schools. They sometimes have 4-5-6 assistants. And all of them may have played. As for money, public school coaches are, from what I know, paid more than Catholic school coaches. A lot of assistant coaches at public and private are volunteers.
Be a man
11:16
Can you name any more embarrassing moment in your career than USC dancing to the YMCA?
Mike White
11:17
Can you name a more negative, idiotic question to a chat than this one? Are you serious? USC having some fun. Who cares what son. But it's the nature of many people. Cut down and be negative no matter what. I bet if I gave you a hundred dollars, you'd probably complain it's not in one dollar bills. Go back to bed.
Paul
11:17
How good is Tyler Robbins?  What is his ceiling?  Did his dad play football at Pitt?
Mike White
11:20
You know, I was thinking about that this weekend. He's a 6-9 wide body. You don't know this, but he can outside some and shoot the 3 a little. But he is most effective inside. Is he a Division I player? I don't know. I think a lot will depend on this offseason and who gets to see him. Some Division I's have expressed interest in him in the past, but no offers from what I've known. Has decent post moves and has ability to block shots you can't teach. I'd like to see more of him and what he would be like against a decent player of similar size before I make a judgment.
Wpial
11:20
What does Maleek Thomas get out of playing at Lincoln park that he wouldn’t get from north hills?
Mike White
11:20
You'd have to ask him.
White shadow
11:20
How would you compare Mr. Thomas from Lincoln Park to other highly rated players over the last 20 years?
Mike White
11:24
He's really good, obviously. No one from around here has had offers that he's had in past 3 decades or so. Love his length and versatility and I think he has matured with his attitude. Obviously, he's done pretty well against some top players on national AAU circuit also. But he's not a finished product, either. Needs to definitely get stronger. Work on that body a little. Is he a consistent 3-point threat? I don't know about that. I like how he rebounds. And when he wants to, he can be a really good defender. Has always had good instincts on defense for deflections and steals.
Franklin regional guy
11:24
Was really impressed by the initial game plan Franklin Regional had against Moon and the guilliory kid. Credit to the role players for moon they stepped up big time. Santicola finally took what the D gave him and hit his outside shots.  I thought it was a great coaching matchup and that’s what wins you games in February and March!!! All about coaching!!
Mike White
11:25
Hey, both coaches are good at Moon and Franklin. Honestly, players won that game. As usual. Guillory started getting out of the double teams in second half and that made a difference. Once he got out of traps, people were open. But let's be honest. If Santicola and Turner don't make those shots, Moon doesn't win.
Ryan
11:26
What do you think about Franklin Regional this Season do they win on Friday and keep doing good go Frankin Regional
Mike White
11:31
Great job by coach Jesse Reed. Rankin and Rowell are really nice players. I know some D-3s that were there Friday and are hoping to get Rowell. They play Warwick Friday. I know nothing about Warwick other than they are No. 6 team from District 3 and are 17-8. I'm sure Warwick is decent. It's tough to get up after losing in WPIAL final. But playing at home, I'll go with Franklin.
Frank reg
11:31
Do you think we will get the rematch on Tuesday Moon vs Thomas Jefferson?? If so who do u give the edge to??
Mike White
11:32
I think Moon will take care of Obama Friday. But Thomas Jefferson has to play at York Suburban, the No. 3 team from District 3. That won't be easy. If TJ does win, I think I'll still take Moon in the next round.
5A Hoops
11:33
How many of the WPIAL 5A boys teams advance past the first round on Friday night?
Mike White
11:33
Three, maybe four.
Pops
11:33
I watched every boys championship game this past week.  Pretty entertaining stuff.  The one thing I couldn't help notice was how a few of the teams did not seemed to be good but not great.  Please don't think I am degrading the kids.  It just seems like 6 classifications is letting some average teams make championship runs.  6A and 3A stand out to me.
Mike White
11:35
No doubt that six classes has watered down things - and in every sport where there's six classes. And you are right on with your assessment. Like you, I'm not saying they were bad teams. But 6A and 3A were down this year, as far as depth of strong teams.
Jeff Friedel
11:35
You gonna be covering lax this season!
Mike White
11:35
No, you won't see me at any lacrosse games. Maybe a few stories or athlete of the week, here and there. We have a person (Keith Barnes) who covers most of our lacrosse.
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