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Mike White's high school sports chat: 03.31.30
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Mike White
11:02
Hey, how goes it, everyone? There are no sports, but we can still talk a little, can't we? Might help pass the time. So, live from the White House chat situation room, let's get started.
fat boy
11:02
Since this covid-19 mess is setting a precedent will the PIAA draft up a contingency plan for dates if this were to happen again.  For example: all spring sports must be completed at a certain date of no return?
Mike White
11:04
Obviously, if by chance spring sports were able to start, it would be on some kind of shortened season. That's a big "IF." I asked PIAA director Bob Lombardi yesterday if there was indeed a "final date" on when a decision would have to be made on spring sports, and he said the board hasn't discussed a "deadline date." They're going day by day, and I can't say I blame them.
West View Joe
11:04
Do you know why I am not in the North Hills Hall of Fame?
Mike White
11:05
Because you haven't been voted in.
D9 Dave
11:05
What is the latest that you think the PIAA could finish the state basketball tournament without losing its meaning?  Saw an article yesterday in the Reading newspaper where the Methacton coach, whose team is still alive in the playoffs,  thinks it has gotten to the point that the PIAA is giving people false hope by further delaying their decision.
Mike White
11:08
Purely my opinion, but if you had to, I think you could even wait until June to play the basketball championships. Heck how about 4th of July weekend. That would be kind of awesome, wouldn't it. All I know is this, what do athletes like to do, no matter the age? Compete. Anywhere. Any time. I've talked to a number of players still alive in the basketball playoffs and a few coaches, and they said they'd be more than happy to play the quarterfinals, semis and finals at any point this summer. Even June. Even July. Heck why not?
#us3
11:09
If #metoo has taught me anything it is that we have the right to play from the same tees as the boys.  To me (and us3) this has been a great victory.  Next up for the movement is getting girls to play football to help the declining participation numbers in that sport.
Mike White
11:11
I think I detect sarcasm, but not sure I understand your point. I guess you're referring to the new rule that would make girls in boys golf championships play from the same tees as the boys. I have no problem with the rule. In fact, I wrote a column advocating it last year. If a girl plays baseball, they don't put the bases closer. Or if a girl kicks a field goal in football, they don't let her move up to kick.
NorthSouth
11:11
With Vincentian closing, are there any eligibility issues for kids that will be going to new schools next year?
Mike White
11:11
This question has been asked before on the chat, but no problem. We'll go through again.
11:13
An athlete from a school that closes is permitted to go to any private/parochial/charter school that they choose and be eligible. If they want to go to a public school, they must attend the school in the district where they reside. For example, Vincentian's Alex Griggs lives in Hampton. He can go to Hampton and be eligible. Or go to North Catholic, Central Catholic and be eligible.
CCAlum1979
11:13
As a disgruntled Central Alumni, why would our new Basketball Coach Brian Urso be applying and interviewing with other 6A schools? Is it because our Athletic Director already has Tim McConnell (a non alumni) lined up for the position already? Or would Central Catholic finally give the job to an alumni like Justin Walther who applied to the job last year and is well qualified for the position and who bring Central Catholic basketball back to relevance?
Mike White
11:18
I have no idea if Brian Urso is interviewing at other schools. Could that be a rumor? And here we go again with the Tim McConnell to Central thing. I can tell you that unless Brian Urso leaves, Central creates a made-up job for McConnell, throws a bunch of money at him, he's not going to Central. In other words, it ain't happening. So let's stop with the Tim McConnell to Central rumors. I still keep hearing when the NBA starts back up, he'll be on the bench with the Indiana Pacers to coach T.J. And then when college basketball season starts, the Duquesne women want him on their bench to coach Megan.
Guest
11:18
maybe you should have a player of the year separate from the fab 5,then you could get another player like pollack or dimichele or who ever
Mike White
11:20
What? Not good idea. So then we'd have to have a Fab 6. Heck, we should just pick eight and call it the Elite 8. Or nine and call it the Nifty Nine. Better yet, let's just pick 22 and call it the Fabulous 22.
Coach Z
11:20
Hi Mr. White,  Which Char Valley Girls team is better?  This years undefeated team or last years? Also where do each of those teams rank in the best girls teams to ever come out of the WPIAL?
Mike White
11:22
That's a tough question. Last year's team had a little bit of size. This year's team doesn't but Perri Paige certainly play bigger than she is. Wouldn't these teams have to be considered among the best ever? I mean, there are at least three and there might be four future Division I players on this year's team.
Coach Z
11:22
Awesome job as always with the FAB 5.  So hard to just to pick 5 players. Are you able to shed some light on some other players who were in contention for the FAB 5 for the girls and boys
Mike White
11:25
A number of them were considered. I'm not going to talk about players who didn't make it or were considered. Does no good. I won't mention somebody and they'll flip out, "How could so and so not be mentioned." Every year you can make points for players who don't make it that might be as good as one or two other players on the team. But you can only pick five. Have to make choices. It's always a good question if you think someone should make it, who do you then take off?
Zman
11:25
Mike, if the shutdown or restriction of group activities extends into June or so, and if it is determined though by fall that high school football can be played, these kids will have missed out on lot of off season conditioning, would make things interesting, no? Kind of take us back to old school days of 60s and 70s.
Mike White
11:27
Indeed Zman, it was a team when teams didn't start getting ready for football season until the summer. So, there won't be kids going to football workouts 4 days a week starting in June. But here's the thing. Everyone will be in the same boat. So no one will have an advantage.
Howard Stern
11:27
Any idea what is going on at Ambridge with their coaching search?  I just saw their coach last year was badmouthing Jula and recentely sent a tweet saying he had 2 job offers at the college ranks.  Doesn't sound like a way to secure the Bridger position permanently!
Mike White
11:27
No idea.
Glass house
11:27
Long time fan Mike, really appreciate all the PG does for HS athletes.  Is it me or over the past few years have people, especially jealous, insecure adults, grown increasingly angry towards the accomplishments of HS athletes. After all, these are kids! What happened to celebrating the accomplishments of these teenagers instead of trying to tear them down?
Mike White
11:31
Hey Glass House. I understand your point but I really think there always have been people who don't like successful people. That goes way back. That's one thing I learned a number of years ago. Here's the difference today: Social media. You didn't know all the horrible things people could say about a person before Twitter or facebook, etc. It amazes me sometimes the things people say to others on Twitter. Social media makes tough guys out of a lot of people. I'm an adult. I can handle it and laugh it off. But social media creates so many problems for kids. It's a shame.
Howard Stern
11:31
Any idea what will happen with "forced move ups" if the PIAA tournament isnt continued.  Lincoln Park got enough success points the Wednesday before it all got shut down.  Wonder if they will be forced to move up to 4A next year?
Mike White
11:32
There has been no word from the PIAA about "move ups" if state playoffs are canceled. It's one of the reasons the WPIAL hasn't released basketball sectional alignments yet because they don't know if a few teams have to  move up or not.
Coach Z
11:32
Any word on the section realignments for basketball yet?  Really hoping the 5a girls section with CV, Trinity, Moon, and TJ sticks together.  The section produced some great games and clearly was the toughest in the WPIAL
Mike White
11:33
As I stated in above post, sectional alignments have not been released by WPIAL because they don't know yet what will happen with a few "move ups" in class.
‘T’ from Green Tree
11:34
I heard Pitt offered Rodney Gallagher! I saw him play. He’s very quick and can really play. Can you think of another time they offered a freshman.
Mike White
11:35
Yes, they offered him. And yes, he is very good. Needs to keep working and getting better at some things, but his future is awfully bright. Has Pitt ever offered a freshman from WPIAL? Hmmm. I don't remember one. Most definitely sophomores, though.
Proud Pittsburgher
11:35
Morning Mike.  So let's pretend you're the king of the PIAA and somewhat normal life begins 5-1-20.  Do the High School Basketball & Hockey playoffs continue?  Spring sports play a few regular season games and then playoffs?  As you know, these kids work very hard all year for these opportunities that come only once in a lifetime.  Is it fair to them to just cancel all this?  Or do you do everything you can to make games happen?  What does Mike do?
Mike White
11:39
Well Proud Pittsburgher, funny you ask. I am doing a column on this alter this week. If school start back up in early May, then most definitely I would go with everything. That's plenty of time to do a shortened season for spring sports. And you could also do the basketball playoffs at any time. Heck, I'm looking at even doing something with spring sports if you started around May 15. But with each day, this seems less and less likely. I do know I have talked to some WPIAL people, even a head of a WPIAL sports committee. He's trying to come up with plans if things would start at some point in May. It can definitely be done.
guest
11:39
Did you ever think you'd end up putting a freshman on the Fab 5?
Mike White
11:40
Yes, I thought it would happen at some point. Freshman impacts on high school sports have been much greater in the past 25 years. It was inevitable.
Guest
11:40
Mike, How many Fab 5 underclassmen would you say do NOT make the Fab 5 the following year, historically?  I have to figure it's hard to name an underclassman Fab 5 and exclude them the following year...
Mike White
11:44
It has happened. Not a lot. But one comes to mind. Josh Lay of Aliquippa made it as a junior in 2000 and not as a senior. So it's not a sure bet.
Guest
11:44
I'm glad the PIAA hasn't shut the door on Basketball yet. I agree with Ethan that they could finish in the summer. Your doing a great job.
Mike White
11:45
I think Ethan speaks for most players who are on teams in the quarterfinals. Heck, let's go to Mellon Park in June and play the quarterfinal with Butler and McDowell.
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