You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Mike White's high school sports chat: 12.14.21
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
WPIAL Pigskin
11:29
Are the WPIAL Teams (Serra, Central Valley, Aliquippa, PT, and Lebo) who competed in the PIAA finals last weekend jumping straight into hoops or delaying their first games for the little?  The bigger schools probably have enough kids to start the year but didn't know about the smaller ones.
Mike White
11:29
Honestly, I don't really know.
Fred
11:29
Does Aliquippa have any chance of not being pushed to 5a
Mike White
11:30
It doesn't seem like it. PIAA executive director Bob Lombardi told me last week that they aren't changing the competitive-balance rules or guidelines. That means Aliquippa will move up to 5A. Aliquippa will appeal, though. We'll see what happens there.
the kid
11:30
What is the deal with Robert Dickerson opening his commitment up?  Did he ever really commit to Bucknell?
Mike White
11:31
Yes, he committed to Bucknell. I think it was a mutual parting of ways.
hooper
11:31
Seems like Gallagher came to the realization that his future was in football.  Is it a result of his size or did he plateau on the hardwood?
Mike White
11:33
No, he has not plateaued in basketball. As he commented in story I did last week, it was a combination of things. He played really well in AAU this summer for Team Durant. He thought more schools would be interested in hoops. So did Team Durant directors. It never happened. And those who offered for basketball were lukewarm at best with him, like Pitt and WVU. As he said, he didn't think college basketball coaches were too keen on him playing both. And I can't blame them. And he's not the biggest point guard for Power 5 school. All those things added up to him realizing football would be his best choice.
WPIAL Fan
11:33
TJ and Clairton share the same zip code.  Crazy how programs that close to one another can have that much success.
Mike White
11:34
Cuckoo's Nest crazy.
Calvin Hobbes
11:34
Any response from St Joe's after the "homegrown" comment following MTLs lovely win?  How do you think schools who have the ability to recruit talent and limit enrollment should be treated in terms of PIAA classification?
Mike White
11:35
It's the old public vs. private debate. I don't think that's ever been discussed before, has it? Everyone just needs to realize PIAA is not going to separate them, no matter how much anybody complains. Case closed.
football fan
11:35
what are your thoughts on the attendance of the state games
Mike White
11:37
Average at best. Those games don't draw a lot. Not one game had more than low 3,000s. But they're on TI and I don't blame anyone for not going this time of year. We don't compare to what Ohio draws. But that being said, I thought community support from Penn-Trafford, Mt. Lebanon and Central Valley at states was outstanding.
Coach O
11:37
Was it a surprise to you with USC losing all 5 starters that they knocked off Pine Richland this past weekend?
Mike White
11:38
Yes and no. I saw USC play in summer. I knew they were going to be OK. They still have players and Frankie Avalon - I mean Danny Holzer - is one of best coaches around. Class 6A is really good this year in terms of depth of good teams. Not saying anyone is going to be a Philly school for state title, but there are a number of good teams. I look for rankings to change a lot during season. The section in the North is brutal with Butler, NA, North Hills, Seneca and Pine.
wpial fan
11:38
I have watched a lot of football this season and Wpial player of the year is Cade Yacamelli.  He led his team to the schools first wpial and piaa championship. Those big games were come from behind. In the championship game against 13 division 1 recruits Yacamelli had 75% of the teams offensive yards.  Penn Trafford surprised everyone with that championship win.
Mike White
11:39
What a year by Yacamelli. Prime candidate for player of the year. It will be announced in Sunday Post-Gazette.
Hoops Man
11:39
Saw Franklin regional play against olsh and penn trafford. They are a sleeper in 5A- really tough, scrappy and can shoot it
Mike White
11:39
I saw Franklin Regional a little in a scrimmage. They will be OK for sure.
Chuck
11:39
Elwood dropped a game against blackhawk this weekend how do you think both teams will do
Mike White
11:40
Ellwood is really good. They're our No. 1 3A team. Won WPIAL title last  year and have a number of starters back. And how bout one of the Splash Brothers - 6-6 sophomore Joseph Roth. Had 38 points and 32 rebounds in season opener. He cleaned the glass so much his new nickname is Mr. Windex.
movingscreen
11:40
Someone raised the question about Greensburg-Salem playing 6A basketball. According to their last enrollment, they were one boy above the 4A enrollment.
Mike White
11:41
Yes, they chose to play up.
Lights out
11:41
Has the meeting taken place yet regarding the shot clock in the PIAA?
Mike White
11:42
No. There won't be one separate meeting on that. It will be discussed at some point in near future. Just my feeling. I don't think PIAA wants it. Which is a shame. I wish we had it. National federation approved it but is letting it up to each state whether to approve it.
Benny
11:42
So if aliquippa moves to 5a do you see them pushing them and moon to the northern section? Now that Baldwin can be added to the south hills section
Mike White
11:43
Honestly Benny, all this conjecture is worthless. Because you just don't know how many teams yet will be in each class. Let's wait until we know that before we start making conferences.
Punxy Guy
11:43
Mike, watched chunks of most of the games. Problems with Hershey turf or players not used to turf? Guys were skidding as they tried to stop or cut, others slipped and fell.
Mike White
11:43
No idea.
TigerFan
11:43
Is Pine Richland basketball as good as advertised or a bit overrated?
Mike White
11:45
Geez, they lose one game and they are overrated? They lost to an Upper St. Clair team with a good program and a USC team that played well. No one could've thought Pine would go undefeated. How 'bout we let the season play out some before we think someone is overrated.
Coach Z
11:45
What are you thoughts on Char Valley girls being potentially ranked nationally?  If they win their games this weekend I think it happens.
Mike White
11:45
I really don't pay much attention to national rankings.
Coach O
11:45
When will PG state BB rankings begin?
Mike White
11:45
We don't do state rankings for hoops. We pick them up from other sources.
Bill
11:46
Can anyone give bishop Canevin a run in single a?
Mike White
11:47
Canevin is really good. Most of players back from last year's team, plus a few others. They have some size and talent. Will be tough to beat in 1A. Canevin's record might not look good at end of regular season but that's because they are playing a really tough non-section schedule against teams in higher classes. Canevin's section is tomato can city.
Lerri Jippert
11:48
after reading your article about Coach K possibly coming back to Pine what’s the chances West A dumps their super and brings back the prodigal son of Imperial who was getting a lot of love from the community during the recent run to a state title?
Mike White
11:49
So you think West A school board will fire superintendent just to try and get Bob Palko? Good lord. Please. Who's to say he would go back anyway?
Connecting…