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Mike White's high school sports chat: 11.09.21
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Mike White
11:05
I apologize. I'm tardy. I'll need to go to the office for a "late pass." But let's get started anyway. So much to talk about on this November Tuesday. First round of playoffs over. Tomato cans are out. Onto quarterfinals and semifinals. Still lots of talk about what happened to that Mars female goalie. Heck, it's national news. So let's get going. Fire away with questions or comments.
Football Guy
11:05
Lebo vs NA this week offers a great rematch from earlier this year. The score did not reflect how close the game was. If NA does not turn the ball over twice  early in the first quarter it could of been a different game. What do you think the keys to the game are? It’s hard to beat a team twice.
Mike White
11:07
And if any team doesn't turn the ball over, it could've been a closer game. It was 51-20 for goodness sake. Let's face it. NA got thrashed. However, I agree. I don't think it will be as lopsided this time. But you still have to go Lebo.
King of the Court
11:07
Looking for your input to settle an argument - toughest section in WPIAL for basketball?
Mike White
11:10
I'm going the North section in 6A. I don't think there's a question. Only five teams. No breathers. Pine-Richland, North Allegheny, Seneca Valley, North Hills and Butler. Three of those teams could very well be in top 5 in preseason. Pine-Richland has to be No. 1 team in preseason. Plus, those teams play each other three times. And those are battles. I think the 4A section with Montour, Lincoln Park, Quaker Valley, etc. is really good, too.
Quad North Fan
11:10
Going waaaaay back to the really old Quad North, when is the last time North Hills won a playoff game? When they were in the old Quad North?
Mike White
11:11
It was 2010. Beat Penn-Trafford, then Upper St. Clair and then lost to Woodland Hills in semifinals. Conference was Northern Seven back then.
TM
11:11
PT @ PR...not as exciting a matchup as last year, but still should be a good game. Who do you think is going to come out on top?
Mike White
11:12
One of the top quarterfinal matchups. I keep going back and forth on this one. I really like Peters Twp. QB Sam Miller after seeing him live for first time. I think it's close and I'm going Peters Township on the road.
Quad North Fan
11:12
Mike, I know you don't like judging "good seasons" on WPIAL Championships. But...speaking of the old quad north. When is the last time NA won a WPIAL. Has it been 10 years?
Mike White
11:13
It was 2012. And yeah, so what? It was the third of three consecutive. What, you think they're underachieving? C'mon, man.
Wpial bust
11:13
I think the wpial needs to take a look at all the byes in the first round. Either shrink the field down to 8 or expand to 16 (only 4 teams should make it in 6a). The current systems seems very much disorganized.
Mike White
11:14
Why? The classifications are so different with the number of teams and the number of conferences. I have no problem with it. Having only 8 to the playoffs would not be good. I don't like it.
Beaver County football
11:14
Who do you think it's a surprise team in the 2a bracket so far?
Mike White
11:15
How about New Brighton? They beat an undefeated Washington team. But New Brighton's conference was 4-1. The Midwestern was the Hulk of the first round, showing off  its muscles.
wpial Fan
11:15
A lot has been said about private schools and recruiting. But how does the WPIAL handle public schools and families using false addresses?
Mike White
11:18
Oh, believe me. That goes on a lot. Many schools. But you can't expect the WPIAL to police this. The schools should do it. But I know personally, it's not easy. And it goes on at a lot of places. And so many kids, go get an aunt or uncle or in another district and say they are their guardians. It goes on at a lot of places and I'm hearing it is going on a ton at one one particular WPIAL school now.
Quad North Fan
11:20
Besides the DL at PCC, are there any other seniors in 6A that have P5 offers? I think no. Only having one seems crazy. Same question for 5A. You've got the RB from Penn Trafford, the LB from Pine and ? Low numbers or no?
Mike White
11:22
You're talking about Central Catholic's Donovan Hinish, who is committed to Notre Dame. Yes, there are other seniors with Power 5 offers. Penn-Trafford Cade Yaccamelli is committed to Wisconsin, Pine-Richland's Jeremiah Hasley to Duke, Central Valley's Sean FitzSimmons to Pitt and Perry's Tyreese Fearbry to Kentucky. There will be maybe one or two more. Don't forget Gateway's Patrick Body to Cincinnati. But overall, not a great year. Then again, that's the way it goes now for WPIAL talent.
Tim
11:22
Hey Mike, love your podcast. Don’t worry, you’ll get that melody down. Saw Leechburg three times this year. A lot of fun to watch that team. One kid who doesn’t get talked about a lot is Eli rich who is TE/DE. Great high school player. Very athletic on offense, but this past week against California he was a one man wrecking crew that stopped a lot of great scoring options for California. I think on one series where California was within the 5 yard line he had three TFL. In a row which squashed that scoring threat. Should be a great game against Cornell Friday.
Mike White
11:25
The podcast supposedly is up for some radio/internet Emmys. If we don't win, it's a rigged election. It's wildly popular. I know everyone loves the singing. But seriously, it is fun to do the podcasts. Hopefully, we give you some insight and maybe give you a laugh or two. As for Eli Rich, don't know a lot about him. I'll take your word that he is good. I think Leechburg could win again this week. But hey, wasn't that Eli Rich's grandfather a famous drummer. Was a good Buddy of mine. Woooooooo hooooooo.
Mike2
11:25
Do you think Hampton was looking past Plum for their date with TJ? Hope TJ not looking past Hampton for rematch with BV.
Mike White
11:26
No, I don't. If they were, that wasn't very smart. And no, I don't think TJ will look past an undefeated team. But I like TJ to win.
Quad North Fan
11:26
Fab 22: Any locks?
Mike White
11:26
Of course there are. Probably 10-11 locks. I'm not naming them, though.
Stack 56
11:26
Mike what are your thought on 2 city league teams playing for district championships this coming weekend? Westinghouse AA vs Windber , University Prep in AAAA vs Juniata,This is a low key big for the city .
Mike White
11:28
What? This is a "low key big for the city?" Sorry, you've got me there. Westinghouse will have all kind of trouble with Windber. Windber is our No. 5 team in the state. Averages well over 300 yards a game on the ground. I actually think UPrep has a decent shot against Juniata.
JP
11:28
You should do a article on the false address issue.
Mike White
11:28
Not easy to do unless schools will admit they have a problem with it -- and that's unlikely.
pup
11:28
Want to thank you for the weekly chats.  Love the HS sports coverage.  Keep it up.  Now who's your fave NBA player of all time?
Mike White
11:31
Why, thank you "pup." You're my top dog. Appreciate the comment. But that's easy about favorite NBA player. The Pistol. ... Pete Maravich. Was my idol as a kid. Absurd how good he was and the things he could do with a ball. I used to have pictures of him on my wall as a kid. I had a personal tie to him. My brother started his basketball career at Univ. of Arkansas. Eventually transferred to Appalachian State and played for Pete's Dad, Press.
11:33
Pete used to have a camp every summer at California Pa. My brother would work it. I was in fourth grade when I met Pete. Playing in grade school I used to try and wear floppy socks like him -- and the suede Pro Keds. In fact, I have a pair of suede Pro Keds my wife bought me a while ago. I only wear them on special occasions.
11:35
If anyone on this chat is old enough to remember the HORSE games with Red Auerbach on halftime of NBA games in the 1970s. Pistol Pete was a magician at those. Any time I play HORSE with someone, I use some of Pistol's trick shots. I played Ethan Horton in a game of HORSE a couple springs ago, the day he announced his Purdue commitment. I had him HOR to zero. He couldn't do my Pistol Pete shots. But that dang Ethan came back to win. I should've used my windmill, 360 dunk and see if he could do that. And many years ago, I beat Swin Cash in HORSE for a TV show. I destroyed her with Pistol Pete shots.
Ghostof ArtBernardi
11:35
Do you anticipate Devin Carney getting any mid-major looks during this season, or does his size/game translate more appropriately to the Elon/Belmont/RMU's of the world?
Mike White
11:36
Well, he's already committed to Elon and will sign soon in early period, so I think his recruiting is over.
WPIAL Guy
11:36
Mike, appreciate you doing this every week. It is a lot of fun, and really enjoyable. As a former player in your coverage area, it was always nice when you covered our team. Felt important. No question here, just wanted to give you kudos.
Mike White
11:36
Well WPIAL Guy, that is really nice of you. Really appreciate it. Usually it's just the complaints we get. Nice to hear. What sport did you play and where?
Stack 56
11:36
Mike historically if they both won its big. I used low key because most in the city and throughout westrn pa probably didnt know that Westinghouse and Uprep are still playing
Mike White
11:38
It would be big for both to win and I would agree that many in the city might not know they're still playing. But I had something on their games in my Monday high school football notebook. We will have something on their games this week. And Allderdice plays next Friday at Cupples.
UP NORTH
11:38
I agree with you about the North Section in 6A.  No breathers for sure.  Don't sleep on the boys from Seneca Valley this year. No standout "name" guy but they are returning a bunch of guys!
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