JotCast | Mike White's high school sports chat: 11.28.22

Mike White's high school sports chat: 11.28.22

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Mike White

11:00

Well, the WPIAL football championships are complete. State semifinals are this weekend -- and guess what? Basketball starts Friday. Busy - but great - time of the year. So if you wanna talk, fire away.

11:16

Well good to see the Mole came out of his hole. You actually have 20 WPIALs. I see you getting past Allentown Central this week. The next week, I expect you to get Bishop McDevitt again. I know Quips are good, but so is McDevitt. Would be a great matchup. And brush up on your spellings. Is Dona nessa Don Yannessa's mom or something. And it's John Evasovich.

11:16

Everyone always asks you "what is your favorite WPIAL football stadium to watch a game?" What about gymnasium? What WPIAL school has the best gym?

Mike White

11:18

There are old ones with history that I like - and some newer ones I like. I still love Washington's old horseshoe style gym with stadium seating. Nothing like it. Also love Beaver Falls. Like walking into a pit there. For new ones, Peters Township's new place is a beauty, except forget about getting wi-fi in there, which I can't understand.

Mole

11:18

Mike the quips have one more gorilla on its back to conquer. We have 19 wpil championships we have four state championships and 15 straight appearances in the wpil championship game we have not had an undefeated season since 1955 Mike ditka, Dona nessa, and Johnny vasovich hopefully we can conquer that final goal

Coach O

11:18

First off, great game against the Bears. Watching the Stanley brothers for Union last week, and seeing a tweet you sent about TJ and Megan McConnell got me thinking. In your 40 years of coverage, what family(s) of siblings would you put at the top for their cumulative athletic success at the WPIAL level only?

Mike White

11:22

Just a typical performance by me in the NFL. As for the family, no doubt the McConnells are No. 1, for what they've done as players and coaches. And there's so darn many of them. There have been three or four from a family who did big things. Like the three Saul brothers at Butler all made the NFL. But the McConnells have players and coaches. I still say, T.J. McConnell making the NBA and making an impact is still one of the greatest success stories in Pittsburgh sports. Are you kidding me? A point guard from suburban Pittsburgh makes the NBA. Unbelievable. And I love watching him play. And judging from Pacers fan reactions, they like him, to.

Bernardiupthemiddle

11:22

What high school player that didn’t make the fabulous 22 have the best post high school career. College or NFL.

Mike White

11:22

I'd rather not talk about who did NOT make it. Rather talk about who did make it.

stack56

11:22

as well as both westinghouse and steel valley have played, howdo you think they would do against 5 and 6A competition?

Mike White

11:23

They would have some trouble.

Not Pickles

11:23

After reading Imani/Piaa decision,,,,,Kudos to The U, from nine square miles. Softball, baseball and now football WPIAL champs in one calendar year. Great job kids and coaches.

Mike White

11:24

Union's a great story. Beating Canevin in football was the biggest story. And Union has five starters back in basketball. They will be good. But if they are to win a basketball title, they would have to deal with Imani at some point. But I wouldn't count out those tough Union kids.

Ant-man

11:25

Why was WPIAL football in 6A so bad this year?

Mike White

11:26

I wouldn't say it was bad. There just wasn't a dominant team as good as some past years. And remember, there is only five teams now in 6A.

SIngleA

11:26

Other than all of the history, what made Union's victory so sweet Friday, was the fact it was against one of these factories that have exploited high school sports. Of course, the PIAA ruled the Imani kids eligible. They continue to have zero back bone, and zero idea of how much this impacts everyone, but especially in the Single A level. It is GROSS what Imani has done, and even worse what the PIAA allows. Shame.

Mike White

11:28

I'm not here to debate whether Imani kids should be eligible or ineligible. But don't blame the WPIAL or PIAA so much. Their problem in cases like this is having proof that there was recruiting going on, or some other reason. It happens over and over in these cases. All the transfers might make you think something is going on, but if you don't have any proof, it's hard to rule them ineligible. But a little birdie tells me there is some proof out there. But are people willing to step up and go on the record with it?

SIngleA

11:31

Thanks for responding Mike. WPIAL did their job. I blame the PIAA because I think common sense rarely prevails, and Lombardi's quotes after the state title games last year show me what the PIAA thinks of all of this. It just has to end!!

Mike White

11:35

What is going at Imani is the ultimate example of what the public schools complain about. They're not playing on the same playing field as private, parochial and charter schools. Maybe Imani is doing nothing wrong, but the fact that they can take so many transfers from so many different districts over a two-year period is the perfect example of why so many public schools do not want to compete in playoffs against private, parochial or charter schools. Take Union. They have five starters back in basketball. If they wanted to take transfers, the player would have to move into the Union district. It's not like that at private, parochial and charter schools.

11:36

But once again. I don't see anything changing. The WPIAL has had a committee to look at this? It's hard for the WPIAL to do something when the PIAA won't do something. But would you like to see some organization at least try and see what happens.

11:38

By the way, was watching college basketball Sunday. Kind of neat to see Butler's Ethan Morton really doing a nice job at Purdue in a win against Duke. Then change the channel and see Moon's Puff Johnson scoring 10 points and playing in four-overtime game.

Leave it to Beaver

11:38

What football game are you going to this Friday, and or any hoop games this weekend

Mike White

11:39

I will be at Westinghouse-Steel Valley game Friday. Should be a good one.

WPIAL Superfan

11:40

What's the "rumor" with PCC head coach potentially retiring?

Mike White

11:40

Terry Totten said he will do what he does after every season. Take some time, talk it over with his family, and then make a decision. But if I was a betting man, I would say there is better than 50-50 chance he will not be back.

Hoop Junkie

11:41

I saw Eden Christian Academy hired former Steeler Aaron Smith as coach. He should bring some intensity to the team I think and hopefully plays uptempo. He has Damon Astorino as his main guy but I think the Manges kid is very good. I think they could make some noise in the playoffs. Whats your take???

Mike White

11:42

Great guy is Aaron Smith. He loves basketball. That's why he's coaching. Eden is a team to watch and Astorino should have a nice season. But Eden moved up from 1A to 2A. Class 2A isn't great, but better than 1A.

Leave it to Beaver

11:43

4a is so deep what team do you feel is being forgotten about in hoops?

Mike White

11:44

Never forget a Mike Mastroianni-coached team at Quaker Valley. Avonworth is in 4A, but made the 3A championship last year. And keep an eye on South Allegheny. Epps kid is very good.

THEWATCHER

11:44

God I hope the PCC OC does not get the job at Central. Every play will be run up the middle! Bring in Kasper!

Mike White

11:46

Sorry but I think you're off base. I don't know how you can say that. Central didn't have much of a running game this year. Young running backs. But Payton Wehner threw for 2,504 yards. That's pretty good. He was the first Central QB to throw for 2,000 yards in regular season. It wasn't your father's Central team. They have opened things up.

Hoop Junkie

11:46

What do you think of the 6 classes in basketball. I hate it in football but basketball I dont mind it. But I guess you have to have it one way for two sports.

Mike White

11:47

There are plusses and minuses of it. Yes, it has watered things down. But like I've said many times before, six classifications has given more teams a chance to be competitive and get in the postseason. I just hate it when one class - like WPIAL 6A football this year - has five teams. Makes it pretty boring.

Whats Left

11:48

How is Char Valley boys and girls Basketball gonna stack up this year ? Whole lotta changes

Mike White

11:49

Well the girls lost pretty much everyone. And they have a new coach. But I would imagine they will still be OK. Boys have few returnees, most notably sophomore Jayden Davis, who averaged over 20 a game as a freshman. I think boys will be OK, too.

CountryRoads

11:50

What's the deal with Rodney Gallagher? Is he flipping to Penn State or staying with WVU? Pretty clear video of James Franklin giving him and his family all big hugs at a recent visit.

Mike White

11:51

Not sure. Talked to him last week and he and his father would probably re-evaluate if Neal Brown got fired. Well it looks like they're already re-evaluating. I think you have to wait and see what happens with Brown. I have not spoken with Rodney since the Penn State trip.

THEWATCHER

11:51

It was your father's team at the beginning of the season. That rattled a few cages. Eyes need to be opened with some new coaching.

Mike White

11:51

Well, they adjusted. Isn't that a good thing?

Work from Home

11:51

Only 3 of 8 teams in WPIAL finals from Allegheny County - how much do you think that impacted attendance?

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