JotCast | Mike White's high school sports chat: 11.24.20

Mike White's high school sports chat: 11.24.20

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Mike White

10:57

What's up, everyone. The last week of football season. Many basketball teams have started practice, but some teams have delayed start of practice because of COVID-19. Lots to talk about. Let's go.

Ballerz

10:57

Mike - With the governors announcement yesterday, do you expect fans in the stands for basketball? I would think once you add in players, game workers, cheerleader, coaches, etc. That doesn't leave much room for fans. I would be shocked if any visiting school is allowed spectators.

Mike White

10:59

Hey Ballerz. Yes, I expect people in stands still for basketball. Just not a lot of them. Some schools are still deciding on fans. I know of a few that had said they were going to allow two people per player - home and away. Many teams have started practices. Some have delayed them.

Zman

11:00

I think all 4 WPIAL teams have real good shot at winning their games this week; what are your thoughts?

Mike White

11:03

I don't know if all four have a "good shot." Pine-Richland definitely good shot. Central Valley good shot. Jeannette will have hands full. Steel-High is very good. Freshman QB at Steel-High Alex Erby (son of the coach) has thrown for more than 2,000 yards. He's 6-3, 190. Freshman at LB leads team in tackles. Receiver-DB Mehki Flowers is big time. Penn State lean probably. Many other offers.

11:05

I also think Thomas Jefferson will be in for a good game. Jersey Shore is good. Jersey Shore was in state semifinals last year. ... I always want to call Jersey Shore "Ocean City" or "Wildwood." Why?

Ballerz

11:05

More and more schools going to remote learning, I would assume the ones who are allowing sports are taking some heat. I would be interested to know which schools are allowing sports on time and which ones are pushing back their start dates. Any insight here?

Mike White

11:07

As I said, some schools have pushed back start of practices. Some started on time. Those that push back practices might not start games on Dec. 11. Are schools that are virtual taking heat for having sports? By some people, yes. But let's remember. Some schools were virtual at start of school year - and still had sports. Why would this be any different? You follow the guidelines and do everything you can to stay safe. I still go back to what Bob Lombardi of PIAA said in summer. "The wrong decision would be to not at least try."

Zman

11:07

Are you guys planning on continuing the high school podcast during BB season?(I hope so unless you are going to keep singing, lol)

Mike White

11:09

Not sure yet. We are looking for a sponsor? You wanna get us a sponsor? Or do you wanna put up some money? C'mon, help a man out. And don't poke fun of my singing. Jealousy will get you nowhere in life. My singing has become popular. "The Voice" called me last week and wanted to know if I would come on.

Concerned parent

11:09

What do you think will happen with Dec hoop tournaments - go or no-go?

Mike White

11:09

Right now, many of them are a go. Some have been called off. What some are doing is this: Just play the tournament game at the site of one of the schools.

11:10

Getting back to teams delaying practices. That will delay start of games for them also because you have to get in 15 practices before first game.

Guest

11:10

Mike, have you heard of any schools delaying Winter Sports at least temporarily since schools are being forced to go virtual until January unless they adhere to more strict guidelines?

Mike White

11:12

Yes, I touched on that above. Some schools have delayed start of practices. But there are schools in virtual that are allowing sports. As I said earlier. Remember, there were schools at the start of the school year that were in virtual and allowed football, soccer, etc. to go ahead. I have no problem with that.

Quad North Fan

11:12

Two questions: 1 After reflecting on it for a few days, was the P-R vs. Governor Mifflin "best" HS game you've ever seen? 2. In person, what was the turning point of the game, when you thought "here comes P-R"?

Mike White

11:13

It was indeed a great game. I don't know if I'd go as far as saying the greatest I ever saw. That's saying a lot. Was definitely exciting and memorable. But remember, each team had five turnovers. So it was definitely sloppy also. Turning point? When Pine-Richland stopped turning the ball over -- and Spencer's first TD pass to Jochem.

Jason D

11:13

Mike, have you heard of any schools suspending or delaying Winter Sports? My school district has delayed until at least December 7th and I can see that being extended. Schools are almost forced to go virtual at least for time being and School Boards are deciding to delay start of Winter practices. My hope is the PIAA delays Winter Sports in general now to save the season.

Mike White

11:16

Again, touched on this above. And no, I hope PIAA doesn't delay start of season. And here's why: As PIAA said, they would encourage teams to start practice and get in the required 15 before a game. That way if things have to shut down for a few weeks, they can start back up in January and not have to do the 15 practices. Think of it. Let's say you delay the season until maybe Jan. 10. If you come back, teams would have to get in 15 practices and couldn't play until early February. Not good.

Jim

11:16

Hi Mike. I know that all the games are going to be aired on the PCN network but do you know if they will also be streamed on the NFHS network according that app it is showing upcoming events as the high school championships?just curious thanks.

Mike White

11:16

I don't know about the NFHS app. But PCN is also streaming games, they say.

11:16

Best multi sport high school athlete since 1980?

Mike White

11:17

Two-sport one would be Terrelle Pryor. Scored 2,000 points basketball. Only player in Pa. history to rush and pass for 4,000 yards. A number of other good ones, too. But hard to top what he did.

WPIAL Guru

11:17

Hi Mike. A few weeks back, you said Pine-Richland’s weakness was it’s running game. Since then, it was paramount in their last two games victories, running all over Peters, and scoring two touchdowns and running out the clock against Gov. Mifflin. Eastburn has had some great runs when needed, Schweiger never loses yards on carries and got a scholarship offer to WV Wesleyan as a Running Back, and We’ve all read you writings about “Sunshine”. Do you still feel the running game is a weakness for them?

Mike White

11:18

I don't know if I said it's their "weakness." I might have said something like it's not overly strong. They have decent backs. Not great running backs. But they do just enough with running game to make it effective.

Greg

11:19

Hi Mike this might have been mentioned but with the new capacity restrictions someone didn't do their homework. If a stadium has a capacity of 9,000 you're allowed to have 900 in because that's 10%. But since Hershey Park has a stadium capacity a 15,600 you're only allowed to have 5% or 780. Talk about illogical.

Mike White

11:19

Hold on, Greg, let me get my abacus again. ... If I can't find it, my wife has a Texas Instruments calculator.

Mikey

11:22

With Vincentian now gone, who’s the favorite in Single A for basketball?

Mike White

11:25

Good question, Mikey. I will say this. Class 1A not too strong. If I had to pick team to beat right now, I'd say maybe Bishop Canevin? Two all section players back from last year. Could be good year for coach Gino "Silky: Palmosina

John R.

11:25

Hey Mike, thoughts on Central valley vs Wyomissing?

Mike White

11:26

Wyomissing will be the best team Central Valley has played. Wyomissing has had a number of good teams. No big-time college prospects but very solid. Still think Central Valley wins, though.

Ballerz

11:26

Mike - In a time of negativity, just want to say I appreciate all your coverage of HS sports. You are one of the best in the business and I know a lot of people appreciate what you do for local HS athletes. Thank you!

Mike White

11:27

Why thank you, Ballerz. Send me your address for the check.

REF Supporter

11:27

It would be nice if someone at least mentioned the men and woman who, risked a lot, to officiate during the Fall season. I get never appreciated but really not even a simple THANK YOU

Mike White

11:27

OK, I'll be the "someone."

11:28

OK, I'll be the "someone." Thank you very much, officials. Really appreciate it. We need more of you.

Hoof hearted

11:28

Are there any new rules or increased emphasis on existing rules for this basketball season? In the past few years we have seen an emphasis on hand checking, coaches boxes, etc.

Mike White

11:28

I don't know of any.

Cougar

11:28

Mike- shocked by the Seton hire. Thoughts?

Mike White

11:29

Mauro Monz. Has coached a number of places. Good luck to him.

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