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Mike White's high school sports chat: 03.23.21
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Mike White
10:58
Half of the semifinals are complete. The other half is set for tonight. Three girls WPIAL teams have punched a ticket for Hershey. Will there be more? Let's get going and get chatty.
Jim
10:59
The USC athletic director says that Banbury is OK to play. Some students think that he was the best player this season. Will his addition take them to victory this afternoon?
Mike White
11:00
Yes, I understand Luke Banbury will play for Upper St. Clair tonight against Reading. They will need him. Reading has a 6-6 player. Banbury has been big for USC this season. But saying he's their best player? I wouldn't go that far. USC is pretty balanced. Four guys between 9 and 14 points. But I would think they definitely need him for tonight. A little birdie just flew on my porch roof and told me USC will have 8 guys for tonight.
Timbo Invented Basketball
11:01
Any thoughts on the WPIAL team that has the best shot at capturing a PIAA title?
Mike White
11:03
I'm not trying to dodge the question, but it's hard to say. On the girls side, I've said maybe North Allegheny, but they're facing an undefeated Spring Ford team with a Villanova recruit. Chartiers Valley still has to win tonight to get there. Mohawk and Neshannock are already in. Rochester also plays tonight. On the boys side, I had said OLSH might have the best shot. But Constitution is in the semifinals on the other side. That's a Philly Public League team that is always good. So it will not be easy for any of them.
Timbo Invented Basketball
11:03
I know this year things were quite different with the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs...Moving forward, I suspect that things regarding playoffs will be returning to the way they were done before. With that said, please share your thoughts about the idiocy known as "Follow The Winner" for determining the WPIAL's PIAA basketball bids. As a stroke of genius, maybe instead of having wrestleback consys, the same logic could be applied by the WPIAL in determining what wrestlers qualify for regionals? (tongue in cheek)
Mike White
11:05
Totally agree. They should have playbacks for spots in PIAA tournament. They did it for two years (2015 and 16) and then stopped it. I know they're not well-attended, but I agree with you. I think they should do them.
Melvin
11:05
Your thoughts on the USC / Reading game tonight?
Mike White
11:07
I think Upper St. Clair can play with them. I think a lot will depend on how Reading shoots the ball. Reading doesn't have a star. No Lonnie Walker (now in NBA) who led team to state championship over Pine-Richland in 2017. No Reading player averages more than 13. Eastern Pa. most certainly has more quality teams in larger classes than Western Pa. But often times, the best 6A team gives a game to a top team from Eastern Pa. I think Reading is good, but not great. I'd still go with Reading, but don't be surprised if it's a good game.
Hoops Fan
11:07
Will we have an open playoff again next year for hoops?
Mike White
11:08
WPIAL said they will discuss it after season. At first, I was in favor of it. But I don't think so now. Go back to taking four from each section. That's enough. Makes regular season more interesting anyway.
Realist
11:08
Is this the week you answer my question about the spring sports preview...or has my interest in your column reached a nadir?
Mike White
11:09
You asked it two weeks ago and I answered it. So here we go again. YES WE WILL HAVE SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW!!! So there it is again. It will be in Varsity Xtra Thursday. Baseball, softball, lacrosse, etc.
Big Todd
11:09
How about the Lawrence County girls teams?  Can you give the Lady Warriors any love yet? After speaking with Steve Rotstein last night he agreed you need show them some love. Great win for the Warriors.
Mike White
11:11
Have no idea what you want me to do to give them so-called "love." We've covered some of their games, we've written stories on them. Steve was there last night and covered the game. We'll cover them in state championship. Obviously, it's not enough for you.
Tom Selleck’s Mustache
11:11
Chartiers Valley loses Reynolds to graduation. Not much talent returns. Any chance CV’s head coach jumps ship to the vacant NA position? Certainly has the resume...2 semi appearances and 1 finals appearance in 3 years.
Mike White
11:12
I have no idea. I'm not in Brandon Sensor's head and no idea what he's thinking about. Sorry.
Todd
11:12
Nice pick in your podcast in picking Forest Hills over Mohawk yesterday in the girls AAA semifinal.  I guess the Warriors surprised you.  What do you know about West Catholic?  How do you think the pesky Warriors will do?  I guess you can’t count out the big 3 of Lape, Julian and McDanel.
Mike White
11:12
Sorry, I picked the wrong team to win. I'm an idiot.
11:14
I don't know much about West Catholic other than they crushed Notre Dame Green Lake - or Notre Dame Green Pond. It was 40-10 at halftime. I would think West Catholic is pretty good. Philly Catholic teams usually are.
Bobert
11:14
I’ve been noticing a lot of young assistant coaches in hoops are around. Usually it’s guys going back to their alma mater right after college, have you noticed that as well? I think it’s great for the game to have a older coach with everything they know and his/her style, as well as a younger person that kids can relate to as well.
Mike White
11:15
I think there are always a lot of young assistants around. But you don't see many guys stay real long as head coaches any more.
Hoop legend
11:15
You Mentioned a statue being erected for Ralph Blundo at NC. When is Char Valley going to put up the statue for Tim McConnell? What he is done there is simply amazing. That man has certainly not lost his passion for winning. At the very least, could they rename the gym “The Timnasium”?
Mike White
11:17
The "Timnasium?" Awwwwwww yeahhhhh. I love it. But there will be no statue of McConnell. I've been told after his last year on the boys side, administration talked to him and suggested he lost his "passion" for the game. That was just absurd. Anyone but him.
Bobert
11:17
I think Pitt, Robert Morris, and Duquesne need to recruit guys from this area way more for all sports, would be a big help and get a lot of interest
Mike White
11:18
That's saying a lot. For "all" sports. They are all different situations. Honestly, many years in boys basketball, there isn't a player in WPIAL good enough for Pitt to recruit. But it is nice when local teams have a few local players.
Ron
11:18
You see Morton possibly transferring from Purdue soon? Bring him home to Capel hahaha
Mike White
11:21
He has said nothing of the sort. His playing time decreased as the year went on. But this was like a redshirt year for him. He can still play four years. But he didn't play point guard and it will be interesting to see his future at the school. Purdue has most of its players back. Honestly, if he stays and still isn't playing much at all by middle of next season, I'd say seriously consider getting out. He was too good to sit the bench all four years there. And I know many schools would love to take him.
Stack 56
11:21
Mike last Friday ( March 19th) was the 30th anniversary of the 1991 Perry vs Blackhawk AAA western final in which Perry won 75- 68. In my lifetime that’s the greatest atmosphere for a HS sports event I’ve witnessed and I’ve been to thousands of HS games football and basketball. What do you remember about that game and off the top of your head where would you rank it?
Mike White
11:23
I was there. Absolutely tremendous game. I remember Malik Hightower's ridiculous dunk in first half. Looked like something from Jordan. I remember Dante Calabria was unstoppable but he didn't get much help. Eddie Benton came off the bench and turned the game with 3-pointers. I remember it was packed and Connie Hawkins, Major Harris and other dignitaries were there. And Sean Miller was at Pitt at the time and his Dad was Blackhawk coach -- and Sean threw his keys on the court late in the game because he was upset. Wow.
NorthSouth
11:23
Saw your tweet about Lincoln Park's pregame.  Who has the best HS pregame intro you've seen?
Mike White
11:24
Maybe them. I've seen no one turn out the lights for pregame. Most places don't have lights on a switch that can turn off. Lot gyms nowadays they come on by movement and you can't turn them off.
Guest
11:24
When is the fab 5 coming out
Mike White
11:24
Couple weeks.
Joe Swish
11:24
There is way more to the DeRose situation than just leaving for personal reasons.  How much of the incident where he pushed a cop at a game came in to play?  Why did his assistant coaches quit?  Maybe those are what he considers personal reasons.
Mike White
11:27
Yes, I have seen the situation you talked about on film. It appears DeRose got into something with security guard. Had to be restrained. I don't know if that had anything to do with him leaving. But I heard of other issues during the year. Hard to say what really happened. Was it mutual parting? I don't know. Neither DeRose or AD would return my messages and comment.
Stack 56
11:27
Mike today is the 55th anniversary of a game that I’ve read about and a gentleman that I used to work with told me about. Schenley vs Uniontown 1966 western final a game that Schenley won 71-67 in double overtime at the Pitt field house. I’ve been told that this was the greatest state semifinal of all time and many have said it was the best game ever played.  ( before the BF Aliquippa wpial championship) I wasn’t born. Do you have any memories of this game? And if so what do you remember?
Mike White
11:32
Well, I was only 3 years old, so there are no memories of the game. But yes, I've heard it was a great one. Double OT before packed house at Pitt Field House. Schenley had great Kenny Durrett. had 28 and 17 in the game. Schenley went on to win state. Durrett was one of best players ever from Western Pa.
H2P
11:32
Heard the podcast but does the fact that canevin wears masks and usc does not could that mean anything.
Mike White
11:32
I have no idea what you're trying to say.
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