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Mike White's high school sports chat: 04.21.20
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Mike White
11:43
Yes, I have also heard Tyler Stoczynski's name, but I don't know where things stand for the job. As for Nick Novak, excellent player at Franklin Regional, Pitt-Johnstown and played pro overseas. Big-time scorer. Loves to do one thing - shoot and score. Ha ha. I know Nick. Might be a good head coaching candidate someday. But very little coaching experience. NA isn't hiring someone with that little experience.
279
11:43
It has been quite some time since a two sport standout actually played both college. Is that a thing of the past because of kids specializing in one sport or are college coaches discouraging the idea?  As a coach do you encourage kids to play multiple sports in HS?
Mike White
11:46
You still see here and there a Division I football player who comes and is a player on the basketball team. Heck, Montour's Devin Wilson went the other way a few years ago at Virginia Tech. He was a basketball player who played football one year. Heckuva athlete. But it's not done any more because it's just too hard. If someone is a football player in college, it takes up so much time. So hard to do and be any kind of factor in basketball.
11:49
But 279, I forgot to answer the other part of the question. Yes, I like kids to play multiple sports. I think it's good for them. Works different parts of your body and just personally, I think it's good to have at least a little time away from a sport. And don't tell me a high school kid can't be good at more than one sport. Look how many still are today. Here's something that bugs the heck out of me. A kid in ninth or 10th grade gives up a sport, maybe basketball, because he says he wants to lift weights. Give me a break. When you hear that, it's usually an excuse. You can play a sport and still have plenty of time to also lift.
Tha Truth
11:50
What ever happened to them jackson twins from da dice. Best athletes to not go anywhere. Now i gotta see about this talented freshmen from brashear. Buddy V couldn’t hav helped them kids out at all? Only worried about his wins didn’t help them boys and creighton go no where. what a shame. they beat up on teams that had kids go on to get a free college experience. I’ll take Ralph Blundo over him all day. Taught them kids discipline and helped get them outta there and onto better things. He knew it was bigger than him. smh
Mike White
11:54
I have no idea where the Jackson twins are. But please, stop with blaming Buddy Valinsky. Are you really serious? Buddy tried to help them when they were in high school. And I know the Jacksons bounced around a couple of places after high school, like junior colleges. But they didn't stick. So how in the world is that Buddy Valinsky's fault? Ramon Creighton went to California, Pa. Good spot for him. I think he was a D-2 level player. He did some good things as a freshman. I don't know what happened but he no longer was there. So that's Buddy Valinsky's fault, too? Please. Some of Ralph Blundo's former players didn't make it in a college career, either. So is that his fault, too?
Bill
11:54
Mike, with the hoops season cancelled by the PIAA, looking into your "what if" crystal ball what remaining WPIAL girls hoop teams had a chance at state gold...NA, Chartiers Valley, Trinity, North Catholic, Mohwak, Beaver, Ellis School, Rochester ?
Mike White
11:55
NA, Chartiers Valley and maybe North Catholic probably had best chances.
GH
11:55
Has anybody in WPIAL history ever gone directly to the pros in either basketball or football?
Mike White
11:56
No one anywhere has gone directly to pros in football. Not allowed. And no, not in basketball, either.
Guest
11:56
Hi Mike - the alltime Fab 5 article was really good. There was somebody that didn't have the high school credentials as those players...he was a late bloomer. However, he had a pretty good pro career. Do you have any memories of Armin Gilliam of Bethel Park. I know he has since past away
Mike White
11:59
Armon had a great career. But for purposes of the Fab 5 teams, only players who made Fab 5 were considered. We did it because it was the 40th anniversary of Fab 5. As for Armon, I remember him. I saw him play also. Bethel beat USC and Joe David. Armon didn't deserve Fab 5. Wasn't even close to it. He got into basketball late. I think he was a wrestler. He started to come on as a senior. But he was so raw. I seem to remember he averaged about 10 pts a game as a senior. He went to junior college and really blossomed - both physically and with his talent. Then went to UNLV and took off.
D1 Recruits
11:59
Who are the biggest recruits in WPIAL basketball for the upcoming season?  Gallagher seems to be the obvious prize jewel.  Does Carney have division 1 offers?  Any other obvious D1s out there?
Mike White
12:00
Senior class next year will be down, as far as college recruiting. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm not aware of any current juniors who have Division I offers. Carney is only a sophomore. The only offer I know of for him is St. Francis. But like I said, he is only 10th grade.
Zman
12:01
Mike my question about coaches before, did Tim Sweeney just luck into good players when he resurrected Derry football? Or Palko when he first went to WA? Yes talent is most important but I was looking for a personal trait these guys have that maybe other coaches don’t?
Mike White
12:03
A coach can make a world of difference. Some guys just have "it" to build a program and make a winner, whatever "it" is. But I know some really good coaches in some sports that you don't hear much about because they just don't have the talent. However, a really good coach can sometimes make a sub-par team competitive. A lot of things go into making a good coach. I wouldn't say it's one thing.
cyber Sal
12:03
I have been told that there are a large number of kids who do not play for their school but rather just play AAU basketball.  This surprised me.  Is that a trend you are aware of?
Mike White
12:05
Well since AAU basketball doesn't go on during the high school season, I think you're a little off base. Kids don't start up with AAU teams until after the season. Some kids might play CYO ball instead of high school. But I don't think there are a ton of high-level players that are being overlooked because they're playing CYO.
Tha Un-informed truth
12:05
Seems like "tha truth" is assuming the dice kids had their crap together.  It's not always a coaches fault a kid doesn't pan out.  Horse to water and all that...
Mike White
12:06
Amen, far out and solid.
Mark
12:06
Mike, who had more NBA players, WPIAL or City League?  I can think of these guys immediately, WPIAL - Fortson, McConnell, and flyin Myron Brown, City: Blair and Mo Lucas.
Mike White
12:08
The WPIAL has had more NBA players. Not even close. But you can't compare the two. There are more than 100 schools in WPIAL basketball. City League in its heyday, might have had 14-15 schools at most. Lots of WPIAL NBA guys before 1970s that maybe you hand't heard of.
12:09
Hey, that's about it for now. Time for turkey sandwich that my beautiful, wonderful wife just brought home for lunch. I guess we can keep this going. Let's meet again next Tuesday at 11 a.m.
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