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Mike White's high school sports chat: 02.18.20
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Mike White
10:58
Happy playoff time everybody. To me, it's the best time of the year in Western Pa. high school sports. The basketball playoffs. And this weekend with the quarterfinals is really good, but I think the best few days of the season are the semifinals. Packed gyms. Electricity in the air. Great stuff.
11:00
By the way, Robert Morris apparently has expressed a desire to host some games. Here's to hoping that comes off. Some semifinal doubleheaders there would be great. Would be like the old days at Palumbo and the Pitt Field House. The crowds at the Civic Arena in the 60s and 70s for semifinals will never be matched. That was the heyday of WPIAL hoops. But I really hope the WPIAL can pull off some games at Robert Morris' new facility. The schedule is set through Friday - and so far no games at RMU. But there is still time.
11:01
OK, let's get going. Fire away with any questions.
Matt
11:01
whos gonna Be in the fab 5
Mike White
11:01
C'mon, man. Can't tell you that yet. And we don't know yet, either. Comes out after the season.
Matt
11:01
Finals predictions for 6a boys
Mike White
11:02
Butler vs. somebody. But watch out for Upper St. Clair.
Guest
11:02
how many kids are not playing in playoff game ,because of the tranfer rule? With all the talk about it , i was wondering the real numbers
Mike White
11:02
I don't know exact numbers. Honestly, I don't think many at all. Laurel Highlands is missing a starter Caleb Palumbo. Transferred from Uniontown. Hey, it's the chance you take if you transfer.
Ballerz
11:04
Mike, any surprises through the first few games that caught your eye?
Mike White
11:05
I guess you could say West A. beating McKeesport last night. That's a No. 12 over a No. 5. But it's not that shocking when you think of it. McKeesport pretty good, but certainly not overwhelming. McKeesport was only 12-10 entering the game.
hoop junkie
11:05
McKeesport-Diggs dropped for 35 last night.  What are some of the biggest playoff POINTS performances in WPIAL?
Mike White
11:08
Well hoop junkie, honestly Diggs wasn't even close. The most in a playoff game was T.J. Heatherington of Serra with 50 back in 2009. Central Catholic's Marc Marotta, God rest his soul, had 48 in 1980. Kevin Covert of Neshannock had 45 in 1995. Cam Totedo of Belle Vernon had 45 in 2000. T.J. McConnell, now in the NBA, had 44 in 2010. Many more with more than 40. Remember the great Billy Knight? He had 41 for Braddock vs. Penn Joint in 1970. Is that enough?
Ballerz
11:08
Looking to find a boys game to go watch on Saturday... what could potential be the best matchup? Knoch vs New Castle? USC vs Pine?
Mike White
11:09
Yes, USC vs. Pine. Although Pine has to win a first-round game tonight. But that would be an excellent one.
hoop junkie
11:09
Any dark horse, late d1 basketball possible signings in WPIAL?  Or is this season mostly done and looking at 2021?
Mike White
11:10
Mostly done. Penn-Trafford's Zach Rocco did just get accepted to Army last week. He will play there. Really good guard. Had an excellent year and nice career.
rick_kane
11:11
Hi Mike! Thanks for the chat! Coach McConnell is now 52-0 since taking over the girls program at Chartiers Valley. Do you happen to know what the state/national records are for consecutive wins? Thank you for the time!
Mike White
11:12
Well Mr. Kane, the WPIAL girls record is 56 by North Catholic from 1987-89. The state record is 62, by Lancaster Catholic and just broke in last year's state playoffs. No idea what national record is. I'd have to look it up. As for Char Valley, I think they have an excellent chance to break WPIAL record. But they will be challenged at some point.
morton is goat
11:13
does butler have a shot at the state championship this year?
Mike White
11:13
No, forget it. They shouldn't even participate in the state playoffs if they make it. Of course they do. But so do a lot of other teams. Butler isn't worrying about states at all. Winning the WPIAL will be hard enough.
Skipper
11:13
Who wins in a match of golf, you or Logan Marshalek?
Mike White
11:14
Well, Logan will definitely shoot in the 70s. But he will have to play the back nine also.
hooper101
11:14
What do you think is gonna happen with the Springdale vs. Winchester game.
Mike White
11:14
Should be good game. I'll take Springdale.
6A King
11:14
i saw something yesterday that had Butler ranked as the #2 6A school in the state?? How is that determined? Is this a down year in the east, is there not any Philly schools that are good this year?
Mike White
11:15
Mike Bullock and the Sunbury Daily-Item do the state rankings. Mike follows things and gets opinions from people around the state. Just like most national rankings. It's opinion.
11:16
As for the rest of the state in Class 6A, I don't think it's a great year in the east. But believe me, don't pay too much attention to the rankings. There are still good teams in the east.
Gary Bob
11:16
Mike, I see the Winter alignments were approved but no basketball because of a competitive balance formula?  Can you explain what this is? How can a team be forced to play in a higher classification? And why must they wait so long to make this decision?
Mike White
11:19
Will try to explain as quickly as possible. It's a new thing instituted by the PIAA. I'll just give you basketball for example. If you go far in the state playoffs two years in a row, and have one transfer player in those two years, you get bumped up in class the next cycle. It could happen to a few WPIAL teams. Very likely Vincentian. It's part of trying to appease people who complain about number of transfers at some schools. The reason WPIAL can't make sectional alignments yet is because they have to wait until state playoffs are over to see who might be bumped up in class next year. Hard to make sections when you are not sure what class a few teams will be in. Does that semi explain it?
Gary Bob
11:19
You got any upsets in mind tonight? I'm taking the Fighting Swans over Peters!  Not sure it's an upset  though, Sparty just beat Peters :)
Mike White
11:22
I don't think that would be much of an upset. It's an 8-9 game. The Fighting Swans certainly have a chance. A lot will depend on Bill Swan's pregame dinner.
Guest
11:22
Who do you think will win the girls 6A title?
Mike White
11:22
I'll go Bethel.
Gary Bob
11:22
Bring back Brian Batko!
Mike White
11:22
Why, what happened? Is he lost? Is he a fugitive?
Big Lou
11:22
Will TJ ever be more than a football school?? They could of had a hecknof a team this year Cam Polak and Jared Goldstrom both moved out of the district after 8th grade. Not enough pub goes to any of the other sports in the district. I taught there for many years and its football or nothing
Mike White
11:24
Well Lou when you win championship after championship in a sport and you have one of the best programs and coaches in the state, it's kind of hard to NOT get publicity. I mean, what do you want? Ignore the football program? Yes, football is the No. 1 sport at TJ. How could it not be?
mike
11:24
any chance baldwin gets rid of their joke of a 6a boys coach and gets Tim Mcconnel big rumor going around baldwin
Mike White
11:26
No, I keep hearing the rumor Tim McConnell is going to take over the Indiana Pacers so he can coach T.J. again. Or the Lakers. LeBron is supposedly working things behind scenes to get him.
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