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Mike White's high school sports chat: 03.26.24
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Mike White
10:58
Well, it's a wrap on basketball season. It's over. State championships are finished. But we can still talk anything about high school sports. Let's go.
11:00
State championship games for basketball overall were pretty much a clunker, except for a few. Did you know four of the six boys championships were decided by 11 points or fewer. Mercy rule in a few games. The average margin of victory for the six boys games was 16. Two games, though, were decided by two and four points.
11:02
As for the girls championships, what a struggle it was for some teams to just score. Of the six teams that lost, they averaged only 32 points a game. In three games, losing team scored 27, 26 and 17 points. How in the world do you score 17 points in a state championship game. Sheesh. Oh well. Just some numbers to throw out.
11:03
And surely the public vs. private/Catholic/charter school debate was fueled again by the state basketball championships. Private/Catholic/charter schools won four boys titles and five in girls. Fifteen of the 24 teams in the state finals were from private/Catholic/charter schools.
Dr. G
11:03
When are the all section teams coming out?
Mike White
11:03
Next Thursday.
PittPanthers12
11:03
Mike, any idea of when the new sections for basketball will be released?
Mike White
11:04
Next month, probably later in the month. They will wait to hear from PIAA what teams are moving up from competitive-balance rule. WPIAL basketball committee will then get together to make sections.
TW
11:04
Any news on a new boys basketball coach at Chartiers Valley?
Mike White
11:05
I have no idea, but hearing a rumor.
Fresh
11:06
Now the basketball season is over, were there any freshman who made a noteworthy impact this year?
Mike White
11:07
Sure, there were freshmen who did some good things and are worth watching. All-section teams will be released by the Post-Gazette next week. Out of all the classes, one freshman made all-section - and he was the final pick in a Class 1A section.
Guest
11:07
Are the Lincoln Park stars Cummings and Thomas, both from Mildand?
Mike White
11:08
Brandin Cummings has lived close to the school for years. Meleek Thomas lives in the North Hills School District. His brother played for North Hills and graduated last year.
Hunter B.
11:08
Mike - it appears Coach Bariski from Lincoln Park is a big fan of the chat with some electric postgame comments. I will say, contrary to what most people believe about coaching great talent, winning 3 state championships doesn't happen by accident. Congratulations to LP, Imani, Aliquippa, and Blackhawk girls. Great showing by the WPIAL.
Mike White
11:12
Yes, Mike Bariski and his staff have done a nice job to win championships. But it's rather nice when you have two Power 5 recruits. True that when you have talent, you still have to coach them. But Moon coach Gino Palmosina said it best after winning his third WPIAL title this year (first at Moon): “People will say I have three championships, but the key to success is what I call ’75 and 25. Seventy-five percent is really good players. I don’t have a magical offense or defense. I’ve got guys [at Moon] and where I was previously who are just absolute dawgs. The other 25 percent is my coaching staff. They’re incredible. But it’s more about the Jimmys and Joes than X’s and O’s.”
TM
11:12
NCAA has some system of tracking schools success/championships won in a school year (I can't remember what it is called). Does WPIAL or PIAA do anything like this? Would be interesting to see where all the districts rank.
Mike White
11:12
No they don't.
Skip
11:12
Lincoln Park vs. Imani -- who wins?
Mike White
11:12
Lincoln Park. They beat Imani in regular season.
Coach G
11:13
Is Coach Wilson from Imani the best coach in America? Runs some terrific sets to make up for a team that is always up against adversity. Inspiring season! Go Saints!
Mike White
11:13
Sure.
Fan
11:13
Thomas Jefferson’s hopes still alive next year even though they are graduating 8 seniors?
Mike White
11:14
I would definitely not expect as many wins from Thomas Jefferson next year. They lost too much, especially Evan Berger.
Fan
11:14
is meleek thomas coming back to lincoln park for senior year?
Mike White
11:14
Coach says yes. Meleek said after state championship that he doesn't want to answer that question right now, but whatever coach says.
11:16
By the way, in case anyone was wondering. Our Fab 5 all-star teams for boys and girls will be out Sunday, April 7.
Todd
11:24
I enjoyed Mike Bariski’s comments after the state championship game.  Those words showed his true character.  Put him on the sidelines of a boundary school, and he doesn’t see 1/10 of the success he sees now. Easy to win when the playing field isn’t level.
Mike White
11:26
As I said above, Mike Bariski and his staff have done a nice job. You don't win three championships without some coaching. But as I also said above, it is nice to have the talent they have. Haven't seen a coach yet win a championship with mostly tomato cans.
Wpial
11:26
Who will win wpial football 6a this coming season? Three new teams were added.
Mike White
11:26
Although Central Catholic lost a lot, I think they still would be the No. 1 team going into the season.
Hunter B.
11:26
This had to have been the worst showing for Philly schools since they entered the PIAA in 2006. Do you agree?
Mike White
11:28
Wasn't the strongest year for Philly. I was surprised Neumann-Goretti lost - and also a couple of the 6A teams. But on boys side, they still won two - Imhotep and Devon Prep.
TM
11:28
Love these chats! Any chance you keep going through the spring sports season?
Mike White
11:30
Probably not. There usually isn't as much interest in spring sports. Not anywhere near the same amount of questions. But will have to talk it over with bosses. I might hold out for bigger contract if I have to do spring. Of course, they could put franchise tag on me.
Wpial
11:30
Which team was better from Mt lebanon football: 1981 or 2021
Mike White
11:32
Wow. Really good question. Fun to debate. Obviously two different eras and styles of football. That 1981 team was loaded. Of course the 2021 team had plenty of talent also. Make me choose? I'll go with 1981 team, although no state playoffs back then.
Diego
11:32
Any word on a stud freshman for New Castle boys hoops coming in next year, supposedly one of the top ranked in the country?
Mike White
11:33
One of the tops in the country? Easy now. New Castle has some other players back, namely Ralphie Blundo. Will be interesting to see how much impact freshman has, although I hear he is very good.
Hoops Fan
11:36
Quips are playing AAA boys basketball next year. Is that a competitive rule or enrollment?
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