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Mike White's high school sports chat: 06.02.20
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Mike White
10:58
No intro today. Let's get right to it. If you want to talk a little high school sports, fire away with the questions.
11:02
What's in the news lately with high school sports? Well, we're getting closer to team workouts being allowed. ... Peters Township DB Donovan McMillon put his final 5 colleges on Twitter last night. He has just about every area of country covered. But no one in his home state made the cut. His finalists are Florida, Oregon, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Virginia Tech. Don't fault him just because no Pa. schools are on final list. ... MLB draft coming up next week. West Allegheny's Austin Hendrick supposed to be first round pick. Mock drafts have him going in middle of first round. What's he thinking? Who knows. He hasn't talked to media in months and will not before draft.
nickythegricky
11:03
Hi Mike ...any news on the situation re: H.S. Football?
Mike White
11:06
The news is that there is no news. But high schools should know a lot more at some point this week. PIAA is waiting to hear guidelines from Governor's office about schools in "green phase." PIAA will then make some guidelines and inform schools. But look for a lot of the onus to be placed on the schools. I think ultimately PIAA will have some guidelines, and if they are followed, it will be up to schools themselves when they will permit teams to start workouts. Lot of issues have to be worked out by the schools.
Alive
11:06
no one knows bc Gov Wolf hasn't granted permissions, but do open gyms and "voluntary" practices begin for HS sports before July 1?
Mike White
11:09
As I said above, PIAA is waiting for Gov. Wolf's office guidelines. But yes, I expect workouts will be allowed before July 1. I think it will be done in phases and there will be guidelines. For example, maybe no more than 10 at a time in an indoor workout. Maybe no more than 50 at outdoor workout and outdoor workouts on a field will be done in "pods." Maybe 10 players in one area of field, 10 in another, and so forth. I don't think you will see full green lights to workouts without any restrictions - at least at first. You know who will probably have the toughest jobs with high school athletics the next few months? Trainers.
Jim Cantamessa
11:09
If the PG sports department had a basketball team, who would be the starting five and sixth man?
Mike White
11:17
Ha ha. I haven't seen the games of everyone. And from many years ago, let's just say there wasn't a whole lot of basketball talent in these talented wirters. As for now, lots of newer guys in the department over the past few years. I've seen Brian Batko's game. He would try to bring his Shaler swag, but we all know that might not work too well. But he would be on the court and would be a benefit in some way, despite his 5 foot 2 stature. Zeise could still be the Charles Oakley of P-G sports. Joe Starkey used to have game in his younger years, but things have changed for him since the achiles injury and not sure he's permitted to play any more - and everyone knows you can't play scared. Even though I am "older," I think I could still be a contributor - but for only about 10-15 minutes. Ha ha.
Alive
11:17
Best HS rivalry in Football?  Best HS rivalry in Hoops? I go PR-NA in Football and Butler-PR in Hoops.
Mike White
11:20
C'mon, man. You must be from the North. Best football rivalry Pine and NA? They didn't even start playing each other until 2008. And Butler-PR in basketball? Please. Just because they have had some good games the past 3-4 years doesn't put it among the best rivalries.
Alive
11:24
Any baskektball coaching news? Pine Rich boys and girls positions?
Mike White
11:26
Girls coach is supposed to be hired at June 8 school board meeting, according to AD Sean Simmons. Next board meeting after that is June 22. They hope to hire a boys coach then, or shortly thereafter.
Bizzee Bee
11:26
Craig Mayer needs to be on that team.  Dude has Ashton Gibbs like skills from behind the stripe!
Mike White
11:26
I'll need to see that. He's from Louisville, so is he Dr. Dunkenstein? Or Wes Unseld?
Bizzee Bee
11:27
Will Buddy Valinsky be at Norwin in 2 years?
Mike White
11:29
Are you the person who has been on this chat for many weeks, posting questions about Buddy Valinsky leaving Norwin. Well you can stop. As I've said before, Buddy has no interest in leaving Norwin and I don't know where this info comes from. He is actually looking forward to next year, with a lot of returning players. So let's stop with the Buddy Valinsky leaving Norwin stuff.
Guest
11:37
Any insight on who may be considered to be new Penn Hills basketball coach? Best fit?
Mike White
11:41
Not right now. I do not know if Marvin Wright has even applied, but you would think he might be interested. That's just an assumption on my part. No facts. But he was an assistant for Dan DeRose and was the head coach one year at Vincentian.
JP
11:41
Any news on where Justin Walther will coach next year? Penn Hills? Pine Richland?
Mike White
11:42
No idea. He's been a finalist at places like Peters Township and Baldwin. I know he wants to coach at 6A or 5A level, so I would imagine he is interested in these jobs. You have to also look at Tim Tyree, the former Vincentian coach. He was a candidate at North Allegheny. Also at Pine-Richland, there is assistant Bob Petcash.
Hoops Fan
11:47
Do you think there will be any Summer Basketball for HS now?
Mike White
11:50
I have serious doubts. I don't think it will happen. I do think there will be workouts for teams. But not summer league games. Just too much for schools to worry about. I know a lot of schools who are doing everything they can just to have school in the fall. Disinfecting their school. I can't see them letting teams from other schools come in. Also, the National Federation gave state associations recommendations for guidelines when workouts start. One of the recommendations was for workouts in a gym to include no more than 10 people. And social distancing should be followed at first. That would allow basketball teams to have players in to do some drills and even shooting. But I doubt summer league games.
Howard Stern
11:50
Hearing about any good non-section basketball games on tap for next year?  I was hoping Quaker Valley and New Castle would still play each other even though they aren't in same section anymore
Mike White
11:51
I'm sure I will hear about more non section games in the next few weeks. Schools were just putting together their schedules last week.
11:55
OK, that's about it for next week. Everyone take care.
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