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Mike White's high school sports chat: 05.05.20
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Hoop Junkie
11:45
There are still HS hoop teams without coaches. I know a few places that community members are getting upset there are not coaches in place to conduct zoom trainings or communicate with the athletes for recruiting, etc. Some of these schools need to get on the ball here a bit for the kids. And you are correct, work out on your own for sure, but it would be nice to know who your coach is since Summer Leagues normally start in a few weeks (not now of course) thank you Mike
Mike White
11:47
Yes, it would be nice if you knew your coach. But believe me, there have been many basketball coaches over the years who haven't been hired until May or the summer. Take a breath. Things will be fine.
jackson
11:47
Mike, When do you believe basketball sections will be released.
Mike White
11:49
Not until PIAA releases who is moving up under new competition formula. Schools have until May 8 to appeal their move up. So WPIAL should be releasing basketball sections sometimes later this month. WPIAL football playoff format won't be released until probably June. That's because new PIAA football brackets have to pass two more readings. WPIAL can't do playoff format until then. I know, this is a little crazy and makes you scratch your head a little. But that's the story.
Bizzee Bee
11:49
Is Buddy Valinsky headed out of Norwin?
Mike White
11:51
Yes, I've heard he drives from Norwin to his home in the city all the time after practice, games and open gyms. ... Please can we stop with these Buddy Valinsky rumors.
Squeaky Pete
11:51
who's the front runner for N.A boys ?
Mike White
11:51
Don't know. They apparently will hire someone in a few weeks.
Guest
11:52
What's the deal for USC's Ethan Dahlem for college? Saw him play basketball and was really impressed. Small but terrific and skilled athlete.
Mike White
11:53
Yes, Ethan is a terrific high school athlete. Love his toughness also. He threw for a lot of yards last year and will again this season. But he's not a Div. 1 football player because of his size. Doesn't mean he isn't a really good high school player.
Sub Zero
11:53
I am always skeptical of the coaches who bounce from program to program.  As an AD I would be less likely to hire a coach who has a history of job jumping.  After a few years if a coach wears out his/her welcome multiple times why would you want to be the next stepping stone?
Mike White
11:55
I have no idea who you are speaking of. If it's Jeff Ackermann, please consider that at Moon, they opened his job after 13 seasons. It wasn't his idea to leave. Above, we spoke of his reasons for leaving Pine-Richland. It's to coach closer to his home and family. Remember, Jeff's son, Bryson, had a serious polio-like illness a few years ago. Being closer to home is indeed important to him.
LocalTalent?
11:55
On the boys side-- why do you think basketball talent in this area is so up and down? Is it because a lot of kids choose to play football once they get to high school? You just don't see many tall, athletic kids in the WPIAL any more
Mike White
11:57
I don't think it is "up and down." WPIAL and City League hoops hasn't been real good for decades. Doesn't mean we don't get major college players here and there, but it's not like close to the 50s, 60s, 70s and even 80s. It is what it is. But no, I don't think football has any more to do with it now than in the olden days. Heck, football talent isn't what it used to be here, either.
William of Covfefe
11:57
I was trying to make it light on the "transfer portal" comment. Seriously, have any athletes announced they are transferring from one school to another? Is the PIAA waiting for the governors decision to open other counties in the state? It seems all of PA could be phase 2 (yellow) in the next few weeks. And groups could be limited to 25.
Mike White
11:58
There are always athletes who transfer. You don't hear about probably 99 percent of them unless they are a top player. I don't know of any "major" athletes who have transferred lately.
Brookline hoops
11:58
CoacH Hurley was right. I couldn't agree more and I had one of each.  Life is easy when they are great and below average.  Life is tough when they are the 7th man.  Mike, I am hearing all kinds of scenarios about football this year.  I think most likely is section play, Wpial tourney and  no states.  Have you heard this?
Mike White
12:00
Sure, you hear all kind of things - from a shorter schedule to even playing in the spring. But I can tell you that there are no firm plans. I even talked to PIAA director Bob Lombardi yesterday. PIAA talks about things but it is still way too early to have serious plans. I think we have to wait some again, especially to see how things go with things "opening" back up some.
rodman
12:00
What kind of value should be placed on HS coaches' playing experience on the college level?  I see a lot of postings preferring college playing experience.
Mike White
12:01
Sorry, but I don't think college playing experience has much to do with high school coaching. I know good college players who have failed miserably, and guys who didn't play much at all in college, if at all, but are good high school coaches.
12:04
OK everyone, that's it for now. We will do it again next Tuesday at 11 a.m.
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