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Mike White's high school sports chat: 12.19.23
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Mike White
11:05
Well we won't talk again before Christmas, so happy holidays to everyone. And what better way to kick off the holiday season than this high school chat. Let's go.
Nick
11:05
What team was better?  NA this year or Mt. Lebanon two years ago?  Lebo fans should be thanking God they got those SJP kids as freshman and sophomores, while NA got them when they were juniors and seniors
Mike White
11:07
Good question. Would be a heckuva game. But I'd take Mt. Lebanon. And you can't judge on St. Joseph's game for either team. Throw that out. My pick would just be Lebo. But you are right. That St. Joe's team wasn't one of its best two years ago. So what. That shouldn't downplay what Lebo did. Lebo dominated them.
Peter
11:07
Does a high school teams legacy change over time?  A lot of people were high on Pine Richlands 2017 football team, but none of those guys did anything at the next level so maybe they weren't' as good as we thought.
Mike White
11:10
I've always said, rightly or wrongly, part of a player's legacy is what he did after high school. But some of those guys did OK on that team. Mike Katic had very good career at Indiana. Phil Jurkovec's career certainly didn't end well, but look at his first year at BC. He was pretty good. Last year at BC was a debacle. He got crushed and beat up. But what that Pine did with points for, points against, that has to be still one of the better teams in past 25 years. At least in my eyes. But I agree with you. A team's legacy is defined somewhat on what happens after high school.
wpial fanboy
11:10
what wpial team from the past do you think would've had the best shot at beating St. Joe's this year?
Mike White
11:13
Lebo two years ago was still good. The 2014 Pine team with Ben DiNucci only lost to St. Joe's, 49-41. I would've liked to see the Pine team of 2017.  The NA team of 2012. The Central Catholic team of 2004 that shut down Shady McCoy in semis. The WPIAL has had some good ones.
LeboKid
11:13
Good morning, Mike.  Is Cumberland Valley High School now the default location for state championship football games, or would the PIAA be open to a revolving site?  Beaver Stadium would be the logical spot if it were, but I’m imaging that it would be cost prohibitive for the PIAA.  Thanks for your thoughts, Mike, and Merry Christmas.
Mike White
11:16
First off, Cumberland Valley is a very nice stadium. But it's still a high school stadium. And it's plenty big enough for the crowds. But it's still a high school stadium. Now you have to know that Beaver Stadium did put in a bid few years ago to host state finals. But they wanted an astronomical fee. I mean, ridiculous. So you have to wonder if they really wanted the games. Hershey has that resort feeling to it and has a lot of seats. But that stadium is a dump. You should see the locker rooms. You can't even fit a team in a locker room. It's old and run down. I'm not saying Cumberland Valley is a great place to have it. But where else do you go? I don't think Heinz Field of Eagles want it. Six games on one of those fields in December? No way. Honestly, there's not a real good place to have it.
Quip
11:17
Maybe I'm crazy but I think the best basketball team in wpial history is Aliquippa in 2007.  So much size and skill and talent.  They lost a very close game to the Schenley team everybody loves only because Pope was in foul trouble.  They beat the Morris twins in the regular season and then somehow lost 14 point lead to them in the state final.  Hey it's hard to beat a team with two 10+ year careers in the NBA twice in the same season.  I think that Quips team can beat anybody, it's not their fault they drew a very tough matchup in the final.  You said a few weeks ago 2014 New Castle would beat them, no way in hell they would have a chance they have a fraction of their talent and size.
Mike White
11:21
Sorry Quip, but you're off your rocker. No way. That team could've had a nice legacy, but you have to win it all. And I mean a state championship. They have the Morris twins and Prep Charter beat in the state final and Aliquippa collapsed. Great teams don't lose games that way. And no way Aliquippa was as good as Schenley in 2007. Absolutely no way. That Schenley team has three big-time college players - Blair, Kennedy, Kane. And don't forget the one and only Onion. And I'm sorry but that 2007 Aliquippa team isn't on level of other great Western Pa. teams like Ambridge of 67, Midland of 65, a few Uniontown teams. That Quip team was good, but best ever? Please.
wpial
11:21
was it a tough decsion to go with Tikey Hayes as player of the year?  didn't really seem to be any major standouts this year.  Who do you predict transfers first at PSU Hayes or Martin?
Mike White
11:22
Very tough decision. Had to look at people like Quinton Martin, Cam Lindsey, Matt Sieg and even Logan Kushner of NA. Just thought Hayes was best choice. Did so much. Played both ways. Produced in big games. Had big stats. We wouldn't have been wrong picking one of the other guys, but felt Hayes was deserving. The Trib picked Hayes also.
Pat V
11:22
Is Shaler boys basketball legit this year? 6-0!
Mike White
11:24
Yes, they are. This is the year they've been waiting for. Saw them Saturday. The London kid is a rebounding machine and a handful inside. These are mostly football kids, seniors and they've been waiting for this year. They seem to have excellent chemistry, too, which means a lot. I'd consider them a definite challenger in 5A.
Paula Abdul
11:24
Are Brad and Steve ever coming back to work?  I miss the podcast and of course your singing.  This season didn't feel the same without the fumbler, tell him to get back to work
Mike White
11:24
They're still on strike. So, who knows?
Reggie
11:24
Has there even been a time in state championships where you were brought to tears by the emotions of a team winning or losing?  or is it just a job and you don't really care who wins or loses?
Mike White
11:27
I haven't been brought to tears but I did feel emotional. Seeing Tyler Palko in total tears after losing a tough one to Strath Haven. Back then, they brought a player or two into a media tent for news conference. He was ready to go in. I tried to help him. I stopped him because he was such a mess. Told him to wait 10 minutes to get himself together. I will never forget that. He was the ultimate competitor. Another emotional thing was seeing Perry rush the field after "Pepsi" returned an interception 100 some yards against Berwick in the 1989 final. It preserved the win. I was on the field for that game. I must admit I ran  on the field, too, to try and capture the emotion. It was incredible. Only title for the City League. Unforgettable that game. And Berwick coach George Curry accused refs of cheating after game. And then again to me two days later.
North2South
11:27
Any must see hoops games on your schedule over the holidays?
Mike White
11:28
Betters Classic at Beaver Dome decent games again. And a one day event at PPG. Few of the games aren't terrific, to say the least. But there is North Catholic vs. Lincoln Park. Lincoln Park worth watching. And it's a section game.
Coach O
11:28
It’s December 19 and Imani Christian has played only one game so far. Strange, no? And looking at information on their scheduling other than section foes the only other game against a WPIAL opponent is Lincoln Park.
Mike White
11:29
I think they're playing everywhere.
EC Wolverine
11:29
Hi Mike, I played a bit on the 1967 Ellwood City team coached by L Butler Hennon. That was the year Ambridge won it all. I think last week you mentioned that Kaufman and Wycick went to
Mike White
11:29
You didn't finish your question. DeVenzio, Kaufman and Wuycik all went Power 5. DeVenzio Duke, Kaufman Purdue and Wuycik North Carolina.
Lebron
11:29
was Lebron's team in 2002 the best high school team you ever saw?  who could beat them?
Mike White
11:32
Good question. Probably, just because of him. He's the No. 1 player I ever saw in a high school game (not an all-star game). No. 2 undoubtedly to me was Billy Owens of Carlisle. Tremendous. 6-8 player who played outside in the 1980s. Greatest championship performance ever saw as a senior. 53 against Central Catholic. I'll never forget the quote from a Central Catholic player. "When he rebounded the ball, made the outlet pass and beat everyone up the court to dunk, I knew we were in trouble." Billy was awesome. Won four straight state titles in largest class.
Hoops
11:32
Which 5A team has been the biggest surprise so far?  Which team has not been as dominant as expected?
Mike White
11:33
Biggest surprise to me is Gateway. They lost a lot from last year. I didn't expect them to win this much, this early. Great job by Alvis Rogers.
The Bumbler
11:33
I see Lincoln Park is now playing a national schedule with teams from other states now playing for them.  Why won't they just play up to 6A like Imani?
Mike White
11:34
I don't know. But very likely they will be bumped up to 5A next season under competitive balance rule.
The Bumbler
11:34
I've noticed a ton of "hype" videos from businesses that claim to be promoting student athletes but are charging them for these videos.  How do these "media" get field access as they really aren't covering the game for any outlet?
Mike White
11:35
Good question. It's hard for the WPIAL and PIAA, though. They might say they are videographer for the team. And anyone can start a web site and say they are a web site with video.
QB
11:35
rank these high school quarterbacks in order.  Major Harris, Tyler Palko, Phil Jurkovec, Ben Dinucci, Terrele Pryor
Mike White
11:37
Man, that's a pretty darn good list. If I rank them, I will do it solely as a quarterback on the high school level. Not as a "player" and not on what they did after high school. Just as a QB. I'd put Jurkovec No. 1, Pryor No. 2, Major Harris No. 3, Tyler Palko No. 4 and DiNucci No. 5. Major came from a different era, though. Wasn't all the spread offenses like there is now.
4A
11:37
Any thoughts of Knoch boys basketball fast start.  Starting 4 sophomores, should be a good one tonight at Char Valley
Mike White
11:38
Intriguing team. to say the least. One of the sophomores is a 7-footer. Another 6-7. I'm writing something on them later this week. Good game tonight vs. Chartiers Valley. CV's Jayden Davis (scored 1,000 points by end of sophomore year) didn't play last game because of injury. Wonder if he will be back.
EC Wolverine
11:39
Hi Mike, I played on the 1967 Ellwood City team the same year Ambridge won it all. I was coached by the legend L Butler Hennon. I think last week you mentioned Kaufman and Wycick went to D1 schools, didn’t DeVenzio also go to Duke? Also wasn’t it the same year Ambridge beat Schenley and Kenny Durrell, then went on to beat Chester by 30 points for the State Championship.
Mike White
11:43
Yep. DeVenzio did go to Duke. And Ambridge did beat Schenley and Kenny Durrett in 1966. Schenley had a great team in 1966 and won the state. But could't stand up to that Ambridge team. Ambridge crushed Chester, 93-61, in the finals. Schenley had another great team with Maurice Lucas, Jeep Kelley and Ricky Coleman in 1971. Won state final over Norristown at Civic Arena. The 1960s and 70s were heydays for WPIAL and City League hoops.
Reggie Ringgold
11:43
did you cover the 1990 state finals when Ringgold lost to Glen Mills and the 95 state final when they beat Willamsport?  which team was better?  what would it take for Ringgold to get back to it's glory days instead of just being a whipping boy?
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