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Mike White's high school sports chat: 03.12.24
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Mike White
10:54
Well it's sunny out, the second round of the state playoffs start tonight and spring sports - can you believe it - start this Friday. So while we'll have state quarterfinals in basketball Friday, we'll also have baseball and softball games - if weather holds up. There is excitement in the air, right? So let's start the chat a little early. Store now open.
North2South
10:56
Tyler Robbins is really impressive and seems to have gotten better as the season has gone on. Who is the last true big man in the WPIAL that has been this good?
Mike White
10:59
Tyler is Upper St. Clair's 6-9 junior. He seems to continue to get better. How good is he? I don't think that's been determined yet. A few Division I colleges have expressed interest, but no offers yet. We shall see what happens over the summer and fall. I don't think he's a major, major college guy. But he could be Division I. He's a post player, although he does have ability shoot some 3's. But he's mostly a post player for USC. I don't want to say he's the best since "so and so" because he's not a finished product. And we don't get many "big guys" in Western Pa. We just don't get the size. Here's the thing. Guys who might be marginal Division I players in high school are really getting hurt by transfer portal. Many schools just don't recruit them. It's happening more and more.
TM
11:00
Good Morning Mike--hard to feel bad for Aliquippa getting bumped up, now that they have several more transfers coming in. Any idea why all these transfers are coming in now? Is it because they moved up to a larger classification? Is Aliquippa "recruiting"? Is it because of the college trickle down effect? Curious to hear your take on the situation.
Mike White
11:05
I never said Aliquippa recruited any of them. The two kids from Central (Moon and Brookins) lived in Aliquippa, although they have bounced around a bit. Not sure why they left Central. I have no idea why the North Hills kid (Jamar Allen) is going to Aliquippa or the Central Valley kid.  I hear about a person involved with some of these kids, but I don't know what's true. Kids do come and go to Aliquippa. Quips have lost players, too, over the years. And I'm not so sure we're done hearing about transfers at Aliquippa. By the way, they still have to be ruled eligible by the WPIAL. I don't think that will be a problem with the two who transferred from Central. The others? We shall see. The two sophomores - one from Central Valley and North Hills - should be ineligible for postseason in 2024 under PIAA rules, unless they meet one of the exceptions. We shall see what comes out.
hoops
11:05
Would the teams left in the 5A State playoffs from the WPIAL all have been favored to win 6A in the WPIAL this year?  I see that Bethel beat USC this year
Mike White
11:08
If I looked back, I would say Moon would've been ranked No. 1 heading into the season if they were in 6A. Upper St. Clair is playing well and is certainly a pretty good team. But I've said all year, and so have others, that 6A wasn't exactly strong this year in WPIAL. Sure, the top teams in 6A could play with the top teams in 5A in a game. But I think overall 5A had much more depth of good teams. Although it should be that way. 5A has a lot more teams overall than 6A. But I think 6A should be a little better next year.
Mike G
11:08
When do all section teams come out?
Mike White
11:08
After state playoffs.
5ADevotee
11:08
Transfer portal wide open for Aliquippa, making mockery of transfer rules. Four D1 level players since the end of the season. They will cry when these guys have to sit out a year, but isn’t it painfully obvious these transfers are athletically motivated?
Mike White
11:13
I don't think Aliquippa is making mockery of transfer rule. It's just kids - and many times parents - wanting to go somewhere else. The kids from Central already lived in Aliquippa. So they are just coming back, although they've bounced around a few schools the past few years. I don't know the reasons others will give for transfers. But like I said above, Aliquippa has lost players to transfers over the years, too. I won't predict what the WPIAL will rule. No. 1, most times the media never knows the reasons for the transfers, because if there is a hearing with a transfer, the media is usually barred from sitting in on it. No. 2, I never predict what the WPIAL will rule. I will say, though, that it's very hard to prove athletically-motivated transfers unless you have some evidence. There is a lot of talk about a person being involved in some of these transfers, but is there any proof?
PCL
11:13
Mike, to your point last week about student sections under the basket, I’m sure you saw the clip of the Roman buzzer beater at the Catholic League championship at the Palestra. Both student sections were under the basket and security was able to keep Roman’s kids from storming the court. By the way there is no better atmosphere for high school basketball than PCL championships at the Palestra.
Mike White
11:17
Yes, if you have more security at a high school game, I think it can be done. As far as WPIAL games at The Pete, I said it's a shame students can sit in end zone seats on first level. They're empty. Cheerleaders sit there and players for following game. WPIAL said they worry about storming court. What would I do? Well yes, I'd get a little more security. But I would also tell the principal and ADs at participating schools that if students come on court, two things will happen. Your team will be assessed technicals, and your team will be put on probation for the next year. Or some kind of penalty.
Todd
11:17
Looking way ahead to the male high school athlete of the year, either Joseph Roth or Drew Griffith have to be way ahead of everyone else for that honor.  What those two have accomplished this year is nothing short of amazing.  And Roth has been doing it for 4 years.
Mike White
11:20
They are certainly two of the top candidates. Griffith has proven to be one of best distance runners in WPIAL history. And setting national record really is something. As for Roth, I've said before that he is a unique athlete in WPIAL history. He has state playoff game Wednesday night. The state swimming championships are Friday and Saturday. I'm sure he will go to an hour or so of swim practice Wednesday and then go to game. Ellwood City will have a tough time beating Mohawk. But what if they do? Their next game is Saturday. State swim championships for AA are Friday and Saturday. What will Jospeh Roth do?
North2South
11:20
Have you heard of any high profile basketball programs that are going to be making coaching changes heading into next season?
Mike White
11:20
No, have you?
Panther Land
11:20
State College seems like a scrappy little team getting hot at the right time. Not much size though. Who do like in that game ?
Mike White
11:20
I have not seen State College play, but they always have a very competitive team. It will not be an easy game for Upper St. Clair.
Mike Mo
11:21
I see by enrollment Baldwin should b in 5A next year for boys basketball, do you know if they plan on staying in 6A??
Mike White
11:21
No, they will be in 5A.
Mike Mo
11:21
And New Castle also by enrollment are 5A, will they play 6A next year? Do they have the transfers to be bumped up??
Mike White
11:22
Would take too long to explain the competitive-balance rule reasons. But New Castle has to stay in Class 6A next season. North Hills and Fox Chapel are coming up to 6A and Imani Christian is coming from 1A to 6A. I believe there will be 15 teams in 6A next year. Maybe a section of eight and one of seven.
Jess
11:28
Few weeks ago saw Lodovico back on the sidelines coaching a WPA Bruins team.  Do you think he gets back into High School hoops? I'm sure a lot of schools would love to have him! Built a dynasty at Blackhawk
Mike White
11:29
He has, I believe, daughter playing? Maybe a son also? I know he wanted to see them play and be involved with them. I think they live in Blackhawk maybe? Yes, Steve is a really good one.
WPIAL Fan
11:29
Any thoughts on Uniontown - Lincoln Park tonight?  I think that this is really interesting from a classification perspective.  Uniontown is moving to 5A.  And I think that LP is also moving up if they win this game.  So Uniontown has double incentive to win because if they lose, LP will likely follow them to 5A next year.
Mike White
11:33
I will be at game tonight. The last one in semifinals was excellent. Uniontown has a chance, but they need to really shoot well, not turn the ball over and need to have Lincoln Park have an off night. That's asking a lot. But they were right in game last time. I'll still go with Lincoln Park. And by the way, unless Uniontown is voluntariliy moving to 5A next year, which I don't think is the case, they will be in 4A. Their boys enrollment in grades 9-11 is 342. To be in 5A, school must have 363 to 575. So Uniontown is NOT moving up.
Alice
11:33
You know I'm a 100% Joseph Roth supporter.  Outstanding at 2 sports, same season for 4 years.  But Male Athlete of the Year Rune Lawrence has to be a strong consideration.  I'm hoping for a Co-Male Athlete of the Year because I wouldn't want to be one making this decision.
Mike White
11:34
No doubt that Rune Lawrence is a strong, strong candidate. We have picked co-athletes before. Will be tough decision, that's for sure. Let's see how track plays out.
Ciara
11:34
Russ and I are coming to town this weekend to hang out. Any good HS Basketball games we should drop in on ?
Mike White
11:34
Can't really answer that until second-round games are over. Have no idea of the matchups.
Beaver County Fan
11:35
Not really a question but more of a comment - I think someone made a post about the Beaver basketball coaching situation on this chat last week, presumably trying to correlate it with the CV hoops situation or parental interference in general. I think that's a stretch and a little mis-guided. Historically, Beaver is one of the few districts in the WPIAL where the board or administration rarely interferes in athletics. They've only had three football coaches since the mid-1960s, and many of the other sports at the school have long-time coaches. Beaver is also consistently successful in most sports, which shows what can happen when a school board and administration stay at arms length. I know you've covered a lot of incidences of school board/administration interference, but are there some districts you can think of have (for the most part) successfully managed to avoid the situation?
Mike White
11:37
Sure, a lot of districts do things the right way. I don't know the inner workings of all districts in WPIAL. There are over 100. And I also have no idea of anything going on with Beaver. I have just made the comment in previous chats that it seems, in recent years, there are more instances when administrations don't back coaches. Why? They don't stand up to parents. I will say there are idiot coaches out there, for sure. But there are also good ones who haven't gotten support from administration when it comes to parents. Chartiers Valley is a good example. Honestly, I have no idea what goes on at Beaver.
SaintsAway
11:39
does Imani have the easiest path to a state championship than any of the wpial teams? Seems as though they are a lock for Hershey and for the gold!!
Mike White
11:41
Yes, I would be surprised if Imani doesn't make it to Hershey. Elk County Catholic is in their side of the bracket. Elk County has had some decent teams over the years. I don't knwo how good this Elk County team is, but they are 25-2 and destroyed a decent Monessen team.
Ryan
11:41
who wins tonight’s Franklin Regional Game Go Franklin Regional
Mike White
11:42
Franklin Regional vs. Selinsgrove. I know nothing about Selinsgrove except they are the District 4 champ and their nickname is the Seals. Gotta love anyone nicknamed Seals. Honestly, I have no idea if Selinsgrove is any good. To make a prediction, would be a pure guess.
UT Fan
11:49
I am looking at the PIAA site for boys basketball enrollment and they have Uniontown as 5A.  Ringgold, LH, and Blackhawk are listed as 5A just below them and Belle Vernon is the first 4A team.
Mike White
11:50
Yes, you are right. I stand corrected. The enrollment cutoff figure we at the Post-Gazette had in October was 363 minimum for 5A. But now I see different on PIAA site. So yes, I guess Uniontown will be 5A. I will have to check.
Mike Mo
11:50
Looking at the teams moving into 5A next year like Baldwin uniontown Lincoln park and Montour, it will be tough sledding!! Maybe toughest classification of them all??
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