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Mike White's high school sports chat: 1.30.18
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Mike White
11:00
Snowflakes fall, basketball regular season is winding down and people are thinking about WPIAL football playoff possibilities. Store is now open.
Joe
11:00
If you were made WPIAL Czar, how would you structure the football playoffs with the new alignments?
Mike White
11:06
Well Joe, let me first say I might be able to come up with a structure, but it doesn't mean I think it is a good playoff format. You simply have to play with the hand dealt. BIggest factor is when WPIAL plugs into state playoffs. WPIAL 6A and 5A plug into PIAA quarterfinals Nov. 23 while other four classes go to PIAA semifinals Nov. 30. That being said, I don't know many ways to do this. If they are going to have one day at Heinz Field I guess I would: Have the 6A and 4A championships at a high school fields Nov. 16. There are only nine teams in 6A. I would take only four to the WPIAL playoffs, so there would be a bye the first week of the WPIAL playoffs for 6A. 4A has three rounds of playoffs. The other four classes have four rounds of playoffs, but WPIAL might choose to go with only three rounds in Class A because first-round games in 1A are so bad. Four title games at Heinz Nov. 23 of 5A, 3A, 2A and 1A
ScottieDog
11:06
I went to see Kennedy Catholic play a team from the Bronx last Sunday. I know your thoughts on the matter, so I won't go there, but I know they are playing 6A next year and the PIAA had to OK this. What would be the reason the PIAA wouldn't allow them to move up? Or any school? Clearly this is not a team that should be playing 1A.
Mike White
11:07
ScottieDog, any team can play "up" in class if they choose. PIAA doesn't deny anyone that right. It's up to the school. Anyone can play "up." No one can play down.
The Dice
11:07
Do you think Pine Richland athletics will keep up the recent success? mainly for football and basketball?
Mike White
11:08
Pine-Richland will still be good in football next year, just not as good as this year, mainly because the guy at QB is gone. But they still have a number of players back, especially on line. Basketball looks like it will be good for some time also. Pretty good at younger grades. Not saying basketball will win WPIAL titles all the time, but they should be strong for a while.
Hoopman
11:08
What's going on with the Lady Lopes? Losing to Steel Valley & Apollo Ridge -
Mike White
11:09
They need another Robinson sister. Three isn't enough.
David
11:09
I heard the PIAA is changing the playoff system for basketball so that WPIAL teams would not be playing each other during the first couple rounds.  Is that correct?  Will it take affect this year?
Mike White
11:09
Yes, no more rematches in first round. But it won't take affect until 2019.
WPIAL Lifer
11:10
Each WPIAL boys classification (per recent PG rankings) has a team or two which has never won a WPIAL title or hasn't won one in decades. In your opinion, which of these team(s) stands the best chance to win an elusive title: Cannon-Mac, Franklin Regional, Ambridge, Trinity, Bugettstown, Char-Houston or Union?
Mike White
11:11
Considering that I don't think there is a prohibitive favorite in 6A or 5A, I would say Canon-McMillan or Franklin Regional.
WWH
11:11
Does the unexpected return of Kristofic to Pine Richland make them more of a favorite in 6 A.  With Jurkovec, a rapidly improving Petcash, and now a 6'6" 270 lb very good player they are an extremely tough matchup everywhere.  In regards to Petcash Ackerman told me that if continues to improve at the rate he did from grade 10 to 11 he could be better than his brother , who wasn't bad
Mike White
11:13
Yes, Pine is a much different team with Kristofic. But Butler beat them Friday, although it was Kristofic first game back. Coach Ackermann said Jurkovec still isn't at the same level he was in basketball a year ago, but is getting there. Not hitting that pull-up jumper as much. Foul shots have been a problem, too. But even the Phil Jurkovec of this year is pretty darn good. As for Petcash, I think he's one of the most improved players in the WPIAL. Really like his game. I'm not going to compare to his brother. That's not fair. But Dan has been dang good.
Sportsman
11:14
Uniontown guy Gene Steratore to ref the Super Bowl...were there ever any other western PA officials that got the chance to ref NFL playoffs or super bowl ?
Mike White
11:19
There is another Pittsburgh guy in Super Bowl this year. None other than Jerry Bergman. Old St. Sebastian classmate of mine. In fact, this completes Bergman family trifecta in Super Bowls. Dad Jerry Bergman worked Super Bowl long time. RIP Jerry. Passed away last year. Jerry's brother, Jeff, also did Super Bowl.
Fee Dawg
11:19
How do you think things would have turned out if the WPIAL would have had the courage to stand up to the PIAA and say “ We ain’t participating “ in a 6 classification structure?
Mike White
11:19
I don't know if the PIAA would've cared.
SAG
11:20
Overall thoughts on the officiating this year for WPIAL Basketball?
Mike White
11:21
I don't know what you're getting at. But like all things, some good and some not so good. Deal with it. Thing you have to remember is it's not like there is a huge bunch of officials to pick from. Harder and harder to get officials. Not many want to do it.
Howdy Doody
11:21
Been telling you all year that Canon-McMillan basketball was for real in 6A this year. Now you are on the bandwagon.
Mike White
11:21
Pat yourself on the back.
Hugh
11:21
Any idea when next years basketball sections will be released?
RickT113
11:22
Allderdice is Beating Up on WPIAL Top Teams. Do they have any D.I prospects on the team ?
Mike White
11:23
First, Hugh basketball sections will come out next month. As for Allderdice, the best players are juniors. I really like Jackson Blaufeld. Has rounded out his game more. Not just a shooter any more. He has a chance to maybe be a low D-1 guy. Decent size and can really shoot it. Bobby Clifford can shoot it also. I would say Blaufeld only one who has a chance.
CITYleagueVET
11:25
Who would win in an Allderdice- Kennedy Catholic matchup? Where is John Giammarco when you need him the most
Mike White
11:25
I have not seen Kennedy. But if I had to pick, I'd go Kennedy.
The Dice
11:28
Mars always seems to "choke" in the WPIAL playoffs, is this the year they win it? Trinity is my sleeper in 5A
Mike White
11:30
High school kids choke? C'mon, man. Mars has lost in semis before. Maybe they didn't have the best team, or at least that night. But I'd say Mars is the team to beat definitely in 5A this year. Are they unbeatable? Nope. Look at last Friday. They needed 10 points from Robby Carmody in the final 30 seconds to force overtime against West Allegheny.
The Dice
11:30
Why not have the higher seed host first round playoffs games like football?
Mike White
11:30
I agree. I'd be OK with that. That has been discussed.
Fee Dawg
11:31
On the subject of next years basketball sections I see a lot of value in a dual classification sections with 1A and 2A. I don’t see any benefit for the top 5 1A teams sleep walking through their section except for one other opponent. Example: Monessen and Clairton playing Mapletown, Avella, West Green and Gieble twice in section play. Your thoughts on dual classification section play?
Mike White
11:32
Ace Heberling started dual classes in the 80s. It's not worst idea but really confused lots of people. I say no, although you could make a little point for it with six classes.
WPIAL Lifer
11:32
Assuming Carmody is a lock, who is your early boy's Fab 5 (or 6, 7...)?
Mike White
11:33
I don't think I'm ready to there yet. People get too upset at that thing this early.
WPIAL HOOPS
11:34
Mikayla Lovelace put together a stellar effort last night in a losing effort. This was the second time they have lost to Vincentian this season. Do you think there is a team that has a chance to knock off Vincentian in the playoffs?
Mike White
11:34
A chance? Yes. Of course there is a chance. But not likely.
wpial guy
11:34
Everyone talks about Ethan Morton for Butler (as they should) but one name that you don’t hear much is Luke Michalek Guard for Butler, kid is a freak athlete.
Mike White
11:35
Yes, nice player. But if you are talking Fab 5 like WPIAL hoops, sorry.
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