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Mike White's high school sports chat: 03.16.21
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Mike White
11:00
Well, the WPIAL champions are now in the books. All WPIAL teams move on to the state quarterfinals Friday and Saturday. Even though still fan limitations, it's still exciting time of year. I better get started. Looks like questions are starting to pile up. "Jump ball, get it, get it."
‘T’ from Green Tree
11:01
Glad to see Ellwood City win 3A championship. First one in school history. Truly a Cinderella story with an #11 seed beating a #1 seed. I think they beat 3, 2, and 1 seed along the way. Roth brothers are something. Playing in a tough section paid off in the end.
Mike White
11:02
I say the "Splash Brothers" are one of the best stories in the WPIAL this year, if not a number of years. WPIAL gold medals in swimming? Now WPIAL basketball champions? And the leading scorers in the title game? Who does this? Really a neat story.
Paul L
11:03
Which WPIAL boys teams, if any, have the best change of making a state title run. Considering if you know anything about the teams out east.
Mike White
11:04
I know some of the teams out east. I'd say OLSH maybe. Maybe Lincoln Park also in 4A.
WPIAL Fan
11:04
There are way too many charges being called in games today. I'
Mike White
11:05
Totally agree. Seems like more than ever this year. Some of them are legit. But, man, seems like I've seen about 90 percent called charges this year. I say put in an arc like NBA or college. Seriously. That would help. The one I hate is the offensive player actually goes sideways to avoid contact, just brushes the defensive player, the defensive player flops and they call a charge. That's the toughest call for officials. Hard for them. Maybe the arc would help a little.
Todd
11:06
It was very refreshing to see some public schools (Mohawk & Neshsnnock) with players who have played together since elementary school, win some WPIAL championships over private schools with their unlimited school district boundaries.  Do you think North Catholic and Serra Catholic girls’ teams will need to have a few more bingo nights or fish fries to increase the recruiting budget?
Mike White
11:06
You are one wild, crazy and funny guy. When are you at the Comedy Club?
MarsPlanets
11:07
I, for one, really enjoyed the South Allegheny/Ellwood City game last night.  2 public (boundary schools) duking it out in a great atmosphere.  I guess the same couldn't be said for Class A, 2A, and 4A where is the the Recruit a Team Cup.  I know, I know, the state will never do anything about it....Just frustrating for the schools who "play by the rules".  I mean in 4A Boys, there are 22 teams, 20 boundary schools, 2 non-boundary.  What 2 schools made the final?  You guessed it, the non-boundary ones!
Mike White
11:07
It's nothing new.
Northway Mall Birdcage Guy
11:07
Pretty hard on the kid from the catholic school (Cugini....I think) taking so many shots this year to the point where it looked as if you were picking on him passively/agressively. He scored a ton as well..why so?
Mike White
11:12
Hard on him? We've given him plenty of publicity - and positive publicity. He's obviously talented, averaging 39 points a game. But if you write a story on a kid saying he averages almost 40 a game and simply point out that he takes almost 40 shots a game, and took more than 40 in a number of games ... that's just giving facts that maybe go along with the story. Did the same thing when Cali Konek was averaging 45 a game as a freshman years ago at Imani Christian. I think people are curious when a kid scores that much, how much does he shoot. Hey, that's the way Aquinas Academy plays. God bless them. They obviously think that is their best way to play. But please don't sit here and say that 40 shots a game isn't a ton and not quite unusual for a player at any level? I wish Vinnie luck in the next two years.
BFgrad
11:12
It is getting more crazy in high school hoops when you look at the state playoffs and see all the private schools in the bracket.  That would be like the NCAA saying that Penn State can only take players that reside in Pennsylvania while Notre Dame can recruit the whole country.   The debate comes up every year, and the private schools just seems to keep winning every year.
Mike White
11:13
Yes, so do we have to go over and over and over it all the time. Yes, many people don't think it's fair. I've written countless stories on it quoting people. It's not going to change unless PIAA wants it to change. And that obviously isn't going to happen. The postseason ineligible rule was put in to maybe curb some of it.
WPIALMAN
11:14
Mike- I enjoyed the latest podcast, good stuff.  Looks like Seton LaSalle might be in some hot water with recruiting allegations.  I saw yesterday their AD is being called in by the WPIAL brass.  Not a good start for the new field boss.  How will WPIAL handle that process?
Mike White
11:15
WPIAL won't say the reasons they are bringing in Seton administration. I don't know the specific reason. So I can't comment. How will it be handled? They will have a hearing and decide if they will do anything.
WPIAL Fan
11:15
There are way too many offensive fouls in the game today. Players are allowed to ride and bump the kid all the way down the court with no call. Then called for an offensive foul because the ball handler raises their off arm up to create space. Have you seen this as much as I have?
Mike White
11:15
See above.
Guest
11:15
Mike you guys all panned Ellwood City in the podcast yesterday, what's up with that? What are their chances in the State Playoffs?
Mike White
11:16
"Panned" on them? Huhhhh? We picked South Allegheny to win. How dare we? We had to pick someone. We got it wrong. So go ahead and call us dolts. I did think it would be a close game, though.
John Smith
11:16
With the wins olsh and Lp got this weekend does that mean they will be moved up or should they? I think they should they both can compete for the title next year in a new class with good coaching and the good talent they got.
Mike White
11:18
Classifications last for two years. They will not be moved up next year. It is the second year of a two-year cycle. Classifications are based on school enrollments. However, the new PIAA rule put in few years ago says a team will move up if it has two transfers and goes far in the postseason two years in a row. Have to wait and see how many transfers they have in two years and how far they go in postseason next year.
WPIAL Dude
11:18
I was impressed with the new facility at Peters Township after watching the championship but surprised that it isn't a full length floor.  Any idea why they didn't make the court just a couple feet longer?
Mike White
11:20
A full-length floor? I didn't bring my tape measure when I was there. I think it certainly is a full-length high school floor. That's 84 feet. Is it college length (94 feet), I don't know but I doubt it. Buy why would you want them to put in a college length floor? It's not like they're going to host college games.
Coach Kuzma
11:21
The Ellwood City story about the Roth brothers was great but now the Cinderella story of the team really makes it amazing. And no seniors on that team to boot. In fact, with a couple exceptions Mike, correct me if I’m wrong, but lot of the champion boys and girls teams this year seemed to have an uncommon amount of underclassmen/girls in starting fives?
Mike White
11:21
I agree coach Kuzma. A number of teams in the finals - boys and girls - have a lot of players back next year. Could be a strong year next year.
WPIAL Dude
11:21
Mike, aside from the crowds getting back to normal when this COIVD thing finally passes, what part of HS basketball do you miss most about this season and can't wait to come back?
Mike White
11:22
The semifinals played at neutral courts with a packed house. To me, the basketball semifinals are the best things in the WPIAL sports year.
Ron
11:22
I know the season just ended but looking forward to next year, which team will be like ellwood city and fly under the radar and then make a run? Also, which player do you see being a top scorer that doesn’t get much recognition?
Mike White
11:22
I don't know. That will take some thinking.
WPIAL Dude
11:23
I know the state said they are going to be more strict on the mask exemptions for the PIAA tournament.  Are any WPIAL teams going to have to wear a mask that haven't done so all year?
Mike White
11:25
I don't know. I'm not the mask police or Dr. Fauci's assistant. But here's how you get an exemption so you don't have to wear a mask. Your AD, principal, superintendent, nurse, goes to every player. "Hey, do you have trouble breathing in a game with a mask on." Player: "Yes, I do." School administrator: "OK, you have an exception." I'm serious. That's what schools can do. Schools can give the exception.
NC Forever True
11:26
I also thought it was weird that I heard Lincoln Park head coach Mike Bariski drives around to pick up players daily (all the way to Clairton).  Does LP offer pick up services or all of their singers and performers at this school?
Mike White
11:27
I don't know if Mike Bariski drives to pick up all the players. But Lincoln Park has had a policy for years that no matter where you live, they will have someone pick you up. The Bradfords on this year's team are from Clairton.
BeaverCoHoops
11:27
I'm hearing that Ambridge star Damon Astorino and his dad (the current Ambridge HC) are heading to Lincoln Park next year if the dad (Eric) is not retained as the Bridgers coach.  Did you hear about if that job is open yet?
Mike White
11:28
I'm not addressing that. You might be someone just trying to plant a rumor. Honestly, I probably shouldn't have even published the question.
BeaverCoHoops
11:28
Do any City League teams have a legitimate shot of winning their 1st Round state games?  Would be nice to see one of them advance.
Mike White
11:30
You're a little late to the party. They're already out! Westinghouse lost to Chestnut Ridge Saturday, and Carrick lost to DuBois. Allderdice couldn't participate because Pittsburgh Public Schools shut down the team because of COVID-19 cases at the school. So no City teams are left.
Big Todd
11:30
Four teams from Lawrence County win WPIAL title games in Hoops. Of those teams who has the best chance of bringing home a State Championship?  Your thoughts on the Mohawk upset of North Catholic?
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