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Mike White's high school sports chat: 02.19.19
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Mike White
11:02
Sunny Tuesday morning. WPIAL hoop playoffs are heating up. It's the moooost wonderful time of the year. Seriously, I don't think there's anything better than the basketball playoffs, the quarterfinals and especially the semifinals. Better than any other sport, including football. Well, let's get started. Fire away.
Bmw
11:02
Would you say coach blundo is the popovich of the wpial? I mean taking a very young team to the section title after losing a lot of players has a lot to do with good coaching.
Mike White
11:05
Nah, Ralph is much better in interviews than Pop. No word answers from Ralph. But seriously, Ralph is one of best in the business. I've said it before, even here on this chat. He's tremendous. A guy who is absolutely perfect for the area he's in. He IS New Castle. School and town are fortunate to have him. I hope they realize that. Five WPIAL titles. Great motivator. Understands the kids and that area. Not an easy place to coach. Knows Xs and Os, too. Don't kid yourself. He's tough on those kids. But loves them, too.
John Steigerwald
11:05
What is your take on the WPIAL's extended first round over 5 play dates?  Personally, I'd like to have them get things started a little quicker to allow from time for playback games (I know that's another discussion).   Some teams haven't played since February 8 and have 3/4 scrimmages....Just like to hear your thoughts on it!
Mike White
11:07
This has been talked about before. I agree that it's not the greatest situation to sit maybe two weeks before playing a game. But it's been that way for a while. I wish WPIAL had playbacks for PIAA spots. They did it for two years recently, but not any more. Some coaches wrote a letter to WPIAL asking for playback games. WPIAL said it will think about it for 2021.
John Steigerwald
11:07
What happened to the wildly poplar "Just Askin'" segment on This Week in High School Sports?  I liked that part and was sad to see it go!
Mike White
11:07
Something else "Wildly Popular" now. Called "Tweet Sensations." Show ratings are through the roof since we started this segment.
Mike
11:07
How do you think the Moon Girls Basketball team will do next season?  Chance on Playoffs?
Mike White
11:08
I know you find this hard to believe, but I haven't really thought about Moon for NEXT YEAR. With Sunday girl, they should be pretty decent, though.
North side Jim
11:08
Big win for Sto Rox on Saturday, how well do you think they will match up with Serra?
Mike White
11:09
Jimmy Moon. Jimmy Moon. Jimmy Moon. Sto-Rox and other 2A teams don't have anyone to match up with this guy. He's about 6-8, or at least they say he is, and scores inside and out. I say Moon shines and Serra wins. Awwwwwww yeahhh.
John Steigerwald
11:09
Really impressed with the job Rob Neiderberger has done at Shaler.  I feel they are a dangerous team for Mars in Thursday's Quarterfinals....I know you saw them play in December.  I think this game could be the best of the 5A Quarterfinals.
Mike White
11:11
Rob's done a great job and it looks like Shaler is catching on. Rob said first time in three years cheerleaders were doing flips during game last night. So I guess they're flipping out over the Titans. As far as Mars, first game was close. Mars easily won second time. Game got chippy. But many Mars games have over the past few years. I'll still take Mars in this one.
Bobs garage
11:11
Hey mike. Long time reader, first time writer here. How are you feeling about the Fox chapel foxes in the playoff? Any chance Skrynja’s ninjas can make a run ?? How do you feel they size up to the competition? I’ll hang up to listen
Mike White
11:13
Hey Big Shot Bobs garage. I think they have trouble with Seneca. Zach has done a good job but I don't see them getting past the quarterfinals.
Ernie
11:13
Would you happen to know what the boys/girls career Wpial record is for 3 point shots?
Mike White
11:15
I don't know for girls. I don't know anyone who has that. But for boys Micah Mason has the most with 346 and second is a guy now in the NBA. T.J. McConnell with 334. Micah Mason is probably the greatest shooter I ever saw. Seriously. If he were in the NBA 3-point contest, he'd have a shot. I don't think people realize how good of a shooter he was. Was at a workout with him once. He did a drill where he made 41 of 46 3-pointers.
John Steigerwald
11:15
I'm sure you saw the story about the kid from Franklin Regional bowling an 869 over 3 games over the weekend.  How many games would you need to bowl 869?
Mike White
11:15
Depends if there is bumpers or not.
Chooch
11:15
What do you see as the biggest difference maker in 6A?  Experience, size, defense, back court, other...
Mike White
11:15
Players.
North side Jim
11:16
Jeannette's offense is much improved toward the end of the season, do you like their chances to pull off an upset vs. Sewickley?
Mike White
11:16
Sewickley is a much different team without Nate Ridgeway. I think it could be close. But Sewickley's Warfield will likely be difference.
WashCo
11:16
If Canon-Mac beats NA tonight, do you see them making a long run in the playoffs?  They played Latrobe well earlier in the season.
Mike White
11:18
Like I've said and written in stories this year. There are probably 5 or 6 teams in 6A capable of winning it all. Canon-McMillan isn't one of them. Yes, most certainly good enough to beat NA and also give Latrobe a good one. But not get to the finals.
Ivan B
11:18
Honestly, how much work do journalists put in to the girls playoffs? Listened to a game last night and the announcer didn’t even know the coach’s name in the post game interview.
Mike White
11:19
Wow. Some of the questions on this chat are just mind-boggling.
Pitt fan
11:20
Pitt football offering local studs Rawlings and Beatty. Lot of upside to both. Hopefully they get them. Thoughts on both staying home?
Mike White
11:20
No idea on either. Have not talked to either. Still pretty early in their recruiting. Not a very good year in Western Pa. again next year, at least in terms of top talent. It might even be worse than this year.
Baller
11:20
Who you got for Mars vs. Shaler? 3rd time they’re meeting this season.
Mike White
11:20
Mars.
chucksbucs
11:21
You think there will be any playoff games at Baldwin this year ? and how come Bethel Park never has games, best gym in the WPIAL
Mike White
11:23
Well don't know what's going with Baldwin district now with administrators. They fired AD in spring. They let it be known they don't want to host the WPIAL track and field championships any longer after more than two decades. I don't know what track coach Ed Helbig and others there are thinking, but you have to scratch your head at that district. So far, no games. And I agree. Bethel Park rarely used. I don't know why. But hey, at least NA and WPIAL have hugged and made up. Using NA again this season.
Gary d
11:23
Do you see any potential upsets this week?
Mike White
11:23
Yes, my wife at my son for not putting his dishes in the dishwasher.
MadhouseOnMorewood
11:23
What is it going to take for you to acknowledge Winchester Thurston having it's best season in school history? Think they have a chance in AA?
Mike White
11:26
Best season in school history??? Please. Yes, they won a section title for the first time but this is their SEVENTH season in WPIAL. Don't act like they've been around for 40 years. We have acknowledged they won a section title for first time. We have mentioned their top player and the season he has had. Don't act like we ignore them. Then again,  mostly everyone complains they don't get enough coverage. So welcome to the club.
Guest
11:26
Who do you like tonight Obama or Dice?
Mike White
11:27
That's pretty easy. Allderdice.
WPIAL Lifer
11:27
Have you heard of any local state representatives who have signed on to support legislation introduced by Scott Conklin last week (HB 919) which seeks to create separate PIAA playoffs for boundary and non-boundary schools?
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