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Mike White's high school sports chat: 10.01.24
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Mike White
11:02
I would say it's on to the home stretch in WPIAL football. Only four weeks left in the regular season. Basketball in the news lately also with Imani and some coaching news. So let's talk.
Second-hand Rose
11:02
Mike, watched on TV Central Catholic's "home" game at Baldwin last Friday. Central has been around almost 100 years, With all their rich and influential alumni, don't you think it's ridiculous that Central still doesn't have a home field? Here's a solution: Reduce the nearby Schenley Park Golf Course from 18 holes to 9 holes and build a football field on the 9 holes you take out. Everyone knows Schenley Park is the worst golf course in Western Pa. The only people who play it are old geezers who should be playing bocce. In fact, I think some of them think they are playing bocce. This solution would have two positives -- getting rid of half of a bad golf course and giving Central a home field that is long overdue.
Mike White
11:04
Well, second-hand Rose I really can't help you with getting a stadium built for Central Catholic. And it has been many years since I played Schenley. Was in college actually. Yes, I know it's not good, but it's like an institution in Pittsburgh, isn't it? Plus, do you know how much it would cost to buy than land on nine holes? Yikes.
OldSchoolCity
11:04
What is going on in the City League.  I know it is a shell of its former self but Perry and Brashear are 0-10 and have scored 26 points.  Far way from the old days of Wabby, Catanese, Gallagher and Murphy. These teams had some real battles for about 40 years.  Really shame where things are at now.
Mike White
11:05
It really is kind of sad. While Donta Green has done one of the greatest turnaround jobs in history of high school football, a few other City League teams have totally gone the opposite way. I don't have an answer. Brashear has scored two points in six games. Perry didn't even have enough to field a team for first game of the year. I don't know what's going to happen in the future.
Your Cuz
11:05
Not a high school sports question, but how's your golf game?
Mike White
11:07
Not getting out enough. Ha ha. But it's always that way when football starts. But I did have a great experience two Sundays ago. One of my sons was able to get me on Firestone in Akron. They've played three PGA championships there. Tiger won numerous events there. After playing it, I think I could've challenged for that PGA title. Ha ha. Yeah, right.
Mr Ed
11:07
Regardless of classification, don’t you think a potential championship matchup of Matt Sieg and co. against Clairton defense will be one of most intriguing of the season?
Mike White
11:09
That would certainly be a great matchup. But hey, don't seel some of these other 1A teams short. Anxious to see what happens with Leechburg and Clairton, which I believe is next week. I think Bishop Canevin pretty good also and Neshannock pretty decent. Class 1A is good this year.
TM
11:09
3rd and 32...WOW--has to be play of the year, so far. I was at the PT/USC game Friday night. Several future D-1 players on each side. But the best player on the field by far was Julian Dahlem. Curious to know why he isn't getting more attention from colleges? I am a PT fan, but was very impressed and enjoyed watching him play. Very good athlete and did everything for USC in that game. My opinion was USC did not win that game 21-7, but it was Dahlem 21-PT 7.
Mike White
11:10
I really like Julian Dahlem - on football field and point guard on basketball team. Kid's a winner. While Dahlem is an excellent high school player, I don't think he has all the measurables that FBS schools want. I think he could be an FCS player, though.
Basketball
11:12
Getting your weekly question about 4A basketball.  Nice senior class with Moore, Carmichael and Mayo.  What juniors are out there?  What team should we keep an eye on throughout the year?
Mike White
11:13
Ahhhh, a 4A basketball question. What would a chat be without it. Yes, you touched on a few of the best players. I need to check out the status of Brady Mayo of Beaver. He suffered dislocated elbow in football game two weeks ago. I don't know the statius of that. Shame. Kid is an outstanding athlete. As far as 4A team, I would say it's very average year. Some decent teams. We've touched on them before. Knoch, Avonworth, Belle Vernon, Quaker Valley and North Catholic are some of them.
USC Hater Where art though
11:14
Have to wonder where the Junko hater in the chat has been?????
Mike White
11:14
Good question. First loss, he'll be back, though.
Imani
11:14
Glad to see Imani's recruiting efforts coming under scrutiny.
Mike White
11:20
You're talking about recruiting accusations that have surfaced. We at the Post-Gazette have had two stories. The transfer from North Hills to Imani was ruled ineligible yesterday by WPIAL. WPIAL will have a board meeting in two weeks to examine recruiting charges and possibly hand down some penalties. Looking at evidence, it seems pretty simple. PIAA by-laws were broken. One of them deals with recruiting. North Hills evidence and Post-Gazette stories say two kids were playing in spring/summer leagues with Imani while either still in school in May or in June before they enrolled at Imani. I was at one hearing with Kiski Area player in August. Imani said he enrolled in June. He was allegedly playing summer league with Imani in June. I don't see any gray area here in two cases.
11:25
According to PIAA by-laws, it's an automatic penalty of "at least" one year for recruiting. We'll see what WPIAL rules, but it seems pretty straight forward that by-laws were broken. Then there is the story of Imani using two players in Philly Live event the past two years who already had played four years in high school. PIAA says they can't invoke penalties for that because it's not a PIAA event, but PIAA said they did "sign off" on event. And the rules on entry form state only players still in high school are permitted to play. Also, the entry form says "state association rules" should be followed. I know the PIAA says it can't enact penalty, but they will inquire about what Imani did. And if state association rules were to be followed here's what a PIAA Artilce 12, Section 2 states under penalties: "A school or team(s) may be suspended: For knowingly using an ineligible coach and/or contestant.
Rick M.
11:25
One thing missing is that Imani never filed the transfer-in of their starting forward from last year, Tristian Brown. I've seen some people mention this, but I don't understand how its not a bigger deal. Doesn't this go against the WPIAL bylaws? Hell, even LP documented the transfer in of Lum last year...
Mike White
11:27
I don't know anything about this. But I will say I do know a few more birdies that are starting to sing. We shall see what WPIAL rules in a few weeks.
5ADevotee
11:27
Some good 5A games this week.
Mike White
11:28
There are good games in 5A every week, especially from that Allegheny Six. Most competitive classification in WPIAL.
5ADevotee
11:28
Peters Township-Moon  Upper St. Clair-South Fayette Penn-Trafford-Gateway Penn Hills-Pine-Richland  Where is the best game and who is the winner?
Mike White
11:29
They are all really good games. Tough to say which one to attend. I'm really interested to see what South Fayette does against USC. Plus, does Peters or Moon bounce back from a loss? Good storylines.
#truth
11:30
Let’s talk Imani. Another player got ruled ineligible. Will PIAA uphold the decision? Why isn’t the coach under investigation. He talks way to much to too many people and openly breaks the rules.
Mike White
11:32
We'll see if the PIAA upholds the ruling. As I said before, it seems from evidence that it's pretty cut and dry that by-laws were broken. And I would say the coach is under investigation. Keith Barnes story in today's Post-Gazette quotes WPIAL director Scott Seltzer that the board of directors will take up the matter at next board meeting in two weeks. They wanted to rule on the player eligibility first. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-basketball/2024/09/30/...
#truth
11:32
Everything attached to Imani should be questioned. Fact is the have 36 boys 9-11th grade and somehow have a highly ranked football and basketball team. Are they a real school or are they Bishop Sycamore of wpial?
Mike White
11:32
C'mon. They have a real school.
Hmmm
11:33
Have you reached out to Pepperdine coaches to see if the handful of “offers” announced a few weeks back are legit or not? If Imani is involved I question the legitimacy. Also, the two other players from pine and alderdice were not on the d1 radar either. I not trying to bash the kids but all of these Pepperdine “offers” smell funny except for Pratt.
Mike White
11:34
No, I have not. I don't think Pepperdine coaches would be able - or would want to - comment on that. I've said before on this chat that Jeremy Grubbs is in first year as Pepperdine assistant. Has ties to Pittsburgh. Heck, he was the head coach at Freedom High in WPIAL just a year ago. I'm sure he has something to do with the offers.
11:36
And remember, as I've said before, there are coaches everywhere on the college level who might offer a scholarship to someone, knowing full well they won't take it, or to help maybe bring some attention to a player. Did that happen with Pepperdine? No idea.
40stripes-retired
11:36
Well, Mike, my Red Hurricanes were outmatched @ Aliquippa.  Like you said a few times, the jury is still out on the Red Hurricanes.  Another few toughies coming the next two Fridays @ Montour and @ West-A.  Canes need to snag one then beat Ambridge and Blackhawk at home (which won't be easy - both very well-coached and improving) to close out the regular season.  Parkway Conference is an annual grind - probably the toughest conference in the WPIAL.  Good luck Coach Fred Mozoccio and the Red Hurricanes.
Mike White
11:37
Fred is a really good coach. New Castle is OK. But as I've said before, I just don't think they are on the level of Aliquippa and Montour.
D9 Dave
11:37
Your prediction for the Freeport at Highlands game in 3A.
Mike White
11:37
I'll take Highlands.
white mike
11:37
please shed some light on the Imani situation. If WPIAL/PIAA suspends the Shadyside Girls coach for similar violations is it fair to expect the same for their coach?
Mike White
11:38
I did above. But you're talking about Jonna Burke. Yes, she didn't do anything close to this situation and she got whacked for a year, but won a court case.
Coach Kudd
11:38
Hi Mike, can you explain why kids can be found ineligible and not allowed to play for a year/playoffs but the coaches that are recruiting are not suspended?
Mike White
11:41
We shall see at the WPIAL meeting in two weeks. Many, many times players are ruled ineligible for transferring for athletic intent. There wasn't recruiting involved. But allegedly that's not the case with Imani. North Hills checked the box that said they believe recruiting was involved.
Hooper
11:42
The Imani Christian story was laughable. They break rules. Period. There is zero reason for any rational person to think they aren't recruiting talent. The Union coach spoke the truth, and people got mad. Why? Because they know it is true. It's a small college pretending to be a high school. It's offensive to even think any adult would think it's ok.
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