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Mike White's high school sports chat: 03.17.26
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Mike White
10:59
Well, it's come down to the final week of the high school basketball season. Some semifinals were played last night and the rest tonight. Weather postponed some. How many WPIAL teams will make the finals? Will Obama of the City League make the finals? And maybe it's just me, but I don't think we'll see any baseball or softball games around here for a few more days. ... So, whatdaya think? Let's chat.
HS hoops fan
10:59
What can Peters Township do to take down South Fayette tonight in the 5A semis?
Mike White
11:01
Do a lot of hoping and praying. Great run by Peters Township and coach Steve Limberiou to get this far. But South Fayette is so good. South Fayette won 66-27 in the WPIAL semis. If Peters would somehow win, it would be the biggest upset in history of state playoffs. At least I say so.
Friend of the Program
11:01
Coaching wins with Luann Grybowski recently getting wins 800 & 801 where does she rank in the Wpial? I believe Don Graham of North Catholic has 801. Possibly De Porucznik of Mt. Alvernia has at least 817. I know they weren’t always in the Wpial. Any thoughts
Mike White
11:06
You are correct in that Don Graham has 801. Don Barth of North Catholic had 770-some. The thing about De Porucznik is that no one ever knew her win total. She didn't keep it and neither did school. She started coaching I believe in 1963. I did a story on her when she retired in, I believe, 2008. Her longtime assistant then could only say she had between 800 and 1,000 wins. Besides her, only two coaches in Pa. history had 800 wins - both from eastern Pa. Mike Kopp and Linus McGinty. I'm not sure if Lucy ever played for Linus. Snoopy was the team mascot, though, and some blockhead was manager. Woooo hoooo!!!!! I'll be here all week.
Anonymous
11:06
Who’s your pick to win the 5A boys/girls state championship
Mike White
11:09
South Fayette girls. If they win they play winner of Archbishop Wood and Crestwood. Wood had won four states in a row until losing to South Fayette last year. Wood had Ryan Carter, ranked one of the top 20 sophomores in the country. She left and transferred to Friends Central in Philly. Why? Who knows. But I say South Fayette still wins state. In boys, Bonner-Prendergast is really good. They play Upper Moreland, which lost in last year's semis. Neumann-Goretti was knocked out last round.
Astronomer Pete
11:09
Hi Mike, Appreciate your expert knowledge. Now that the PIAA says it will implement the shot clock, do you think the day will come when high school basketball will play 10-minute quarters (40 minute game) like the colleges? Also, do you think someday the International Astronomical Union will make Pluto a planet again?
Mike White
11:09
Go back to bed.
Inquiring Mind
11:10
Hi Mike, I see that the PIAA recently approved co-ops.  I understand the reasoning for them and why they exist, but my question is why Sewickley Academy has a co-op with Moon for football? Wouldn’t it make more sense for everyone if they had one with a smaller neighboring school like Rochester or Northgate for example?  I know there needs to be agreements amongst the schools, but it seems smaller programs who struggle with #’s could really benefit from these.
Mike White
11:13
Well Rochester isn't a neighboring district to Sewickley. Quaker Valley is. And it might change classification of some of these schools. I don't have a problem going with Moon. A better program. Closer. Better facilities.
City Guy
11:16
Five western Pennsylvania teams left in the PIAA tournament. and who would’ve thought a city league team is still around. is it time to mention Coach Naron Jackson in the conversation for Coach of the year?!?! I can’t remember the last time a city league team has made it this far. I haven’t watch any of there games just some clips I didn’t have them going this far
Mike White
11:20
Allderdice in 2016. Lost in finals to Roman Catholic. Yes, Naron has done excellent job. He has done a good job with them before. But sure was nice when Eric James showed up on team in January. They aren't at this point without him. Somehow was made eligible for postseason. But it's not unheard of. Upper St. Clair playing a Central Dauphin team that also got an important transfer in midseason. Jared Dolimpio. 6-3 junior guard.
Mr Ed
11:21
Looking at football realignment, 4A, eesh. I get the geographical reasoning, but so uneven in terms of competitive balance. McKeesport in one conference, South Fayette in another with what looks like minimal competition and then Montour, Central Valley, New Castle, and Mars loaded into another.
Mike White
11:23
It's really hard to do competitive balance and geography. I know some of them head scratchers. But it's the way it is with six classes and when they try to do competitive balance. I can't fault the WPIAL that much if they're trying to do this competitive balance thing. But you look at someone like McKeesport, or how about Avonworth, which got taken out of a conference with some North teams and teams down Route 65. Now they are in with no north teams. In with Propel Braddock Hills (Imani), Shady Side Academy (kind of North), South Park, West Mifflin and Yough. Ugh.
Scouting Report
11:23
What's the lowdown on USC and CV's opponent tonight. Who do you think comes out on top ? Is Ryan Robbins just gonna run over everyone to the 6A title ?
Mike White
11:24
This is Upper St. Clair's best chance to make it to Hershey of the times they've been in semifinals. This isn't like Roman Catholic or Reading. Oh, Central Dauphin is good, but still not like some other teams in recent years. I say it's a close one. New Castle was close with them.
City Guy
11:25
We all know you’re not going to tell us, but give us a hint or a clue which way you are going for this year’s fab five
Mike White
11:25
You're right, I'm not going to tell me. And once again, it's not ME. Our high school staff collaborates on this and I also talk to a number of coaches.
Its a hike
11:25
Char Valley and South Fayette are gonna run up some miles on their buses next year. Oy vey
Mike White
11:27
That's what I mean. They're in with Albert Gallatin, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold and Uniontown. Ugh.
Iron-man
11:27
Mike - Any thoughts about the Oakland Catholic vs Blackhawk game tonight? Do you have a prediction?
Mike White
11:28
Close one. Blackhawk has a real chance but I'll still take Oakland.
QuipNation
11:28
When is Fab 5 announced?
Mike White
11:28
A week or two after season.
Lebo
11:28
Lebo football finally got its next victim. What a train wreck of a program. Maybe they should do a Baldwin and leave the WPIAL
Mike White
11:30
Good Lord. C'mon. I mean they won a state championship only in 2021. A school that size that has some tradition, they can turn things around. Might take some time and a renewed attitude.
City Guy
11:30
I’ve been saying this for years, it’s time to disband the city league. Especially when you have teams such as per traditional Academy, who were able to make the state playoffs only winning three maybe four games this season. What would have to happen to see this done?
Mike White
11:32
It has been talked about before and some members of the City tried to look into it maybe 15-20 years ago. Some City teams actually did play in the WPIAL in sports like soccer and baseball. Allderdice at times competes well in soccer. There is no movement afoot for it to happen now. City would have to step in sports in a number of ways, like probably hire more assistant coaches. But that costs money. What I'd like to see happen is some schools combine and then join the WPIAL.
QuipNation
11:32
Will Qa'lil Goode get any consideration for Fab 5? His stats don't jump off the page but Quips would not have won 3 WPIAL and one state title since '03 without him.
Mike White
11:33
We consider a lot of players. Yes he gets considered. Nice player. But I would say other players have better shot.
City Guy
11:33
sounds fair at least tell us where the photo shoot will be over the years there have been some iconic fan five photos. My favorite one is the one at Primanti Brothers.
Mike White
11:35
C'mon, man. You know I can't tell you that. Would ruin the surprise when it comes out. But thatnk you for liking the group pictures. Some turn out to be a little hokey. But they're supposed to be. It's high school. It's something that is totally unique to Post-Gazette. Some people seem to like it. I know kids seem to like it. They always wanna know what the theme is. All I can tell you is we are still working on this year's. Still some work to be done.
Mr Ed
11:39
Mercyhurst Prep gets back to back games in their D-10 backyard against WPIAL teams. How’s the site location process work?
Mike White
11:41
I don't know Mr. Ed. If you Mapquest it, Mercyhurst Prep is actually 90 miles from Sharon High School and Sewickley Academy is 56. At least that's what Mapquest is. No matter what, Sharon is not in Mercyhurst Prep's back yard.
Joe Lunardi
11:41
With regards to the fab 5, has anyone ever made it without being named the player of the year in their own section?
Mike White
11:41
Probably yes.
St Paddy
11:41
Who was the greatest Irish American WPIAL athlete ?
Mike White
11:42
Sean Murphy O'Sullivan. Played Irish Gaelic football and showered with Irish Spring.
Joe Lunardi
11:42
Does the South Fayette girls team have a strong candidate for fab 5 or does it hurt their chances because of how balanced their roster is?
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