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Mike White's high school sports chat: 09.13.22
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Mike White
11:01
Do you realize about one-third of regular high school football season is already over. Time flies when you're having fun. So let's have some fun chatting. I just did my pre-chat stretches on my fingers. I have a new chat and conditioning coach.
Parkway
11:01
Is West A finally getting things back together after pushing Bob Palko out the door a few years back?
Mike White
11:04
Well Parkway, they are 3-0 and averaging over 40 a game. South Fayette is a formidable opponent, but other two wins were over Moon and Ringgold. Moon is down this year and Ringgold is, well, Ringgold. I'm not going as far as saying this is best team since Palko left. Let's wait and see. Remember, they started 3-0 last year and ended up 4-5. That won't happen this year, though. One of the main reasons is they are in 4A now. Major difference.
Pants
11:04
Oregon HS state Association approves Shot clocks for Varsity level hoops starting in 23-24. Over / under will PIAA have them by 2026?
Mike White
11:07
Wooo hoooo! Love it. Some more states are considering it. I don't know what to say about PIAA getting it. There are PIAA board members who want it. But the PIAA basketball committee voted, 9-5, not to adopt it in the spring. The PIAA board usually does what committees recommend. Biggest complaint from schools is cost. Oregon schools said same thing but ADs voted to adopt it, saying they will find a way to handle the costs.
11:09
So many people, including the vast majority of coaches in Pa., want shot clock. But I've said this before and will say again, if cost is the reason schools don't want it, then we will never have a shot clock in Pa. Because it cost money 10 years ago to have shot clock, it costs money today and it will cost money 10 years ago. In summary, I wish Pa. had it. I like Oregon's model 35 seconds.
TM
11:09
Good Morning Mike! Always look forward to Tuesday AM High School chats! Seems like TJ Plack has PT really trending upward the last several seasons. After graduating some big names the last couple of years they are still having some early success this year. How do you think the rest of the season will go for them?
Mike White
11:13
TJ Plack has done a tremendous job at Peters Township. I think they are a major surprise this year, just because they have a number of new players. I don't think anyone expected them to be this good. And I don't think anyone expected this Chris Cibrone to be one of leading passers in WPIAL. His family owns the Cibrone bakery. I've bought their breads. One thing for sure, there's no one "loafs" in that family. Opposing defenses have been "toast" against Cibrone. But shouldn't he be playing in the Big Yeast Conference? Wooooo hooooo. I'll be here all week. Tip your waitresses. Try the veal.
Wpial insider
11:13
If Pine Richlands quarterback plays how he did in the 2nd half against Penn hills, I feel the rams have a legitimate chance routing Seneca valley. What do you think?
Mike White
11:13
I think you're nuts. There will be no "rout." Yes, Pine could win but please. A rout?
Mark smith
11:13
Thoughts on the penn hills pine Richland game last week?
Mike White
11:14
Probably close game. I say Seneca bounces back.
WPIAL Fan
11:14
I've seen a lot about transfers in all sports this year but how is it possible that a private school can challenge a kid transferring back to a public school? With as much as they get away with, that seems like a pretty hypocritical move.
Mike White
11:16
Any school can challenge a transfer, public or private. Obviously, you're referring to Seton LaSalle challenging transfer of Luke Kosko to TJ, and WPIAL and PIAA ruling Kosko ineligible. Yes, Kosko's family did move into TJ district. Hearings were closed, so I don't know all the facts. But it is a head scratcher. I saw Seton coach said they lost 10 players to transfers. And this was the only one they challenged? But this one isn't over yet, I don't think. I believe Kosko's might try another appeal. He would've been TJ's starter.
Coach O
11:17
Mike, I think the WPIAL/PIAA transfer rule is dumb. A kid is ok to play regular season but not playoffs. What is their rationale for that? Either a kid transfers for legitimate reasons or not. If they do, play without restrictions. If not, sit out a year. And how does WPIAL committee seed say Hampton basketball this year. Say they win section but one of best players is now out for playoffs. Do they base it on regular season performance or factor in projected strength of team without that player?
Mike White
11:20
The PIAA put the rule in maybe 4-5 years ago. So many complained how it was unfair how some teams were benefitting from transfers. A transfer can make a world of difference sometimes. So the PIAA put in the rule about ineligibility in the postseason. They weren't taking away a kid's season. Just the postseason. Now so many people complain about that. I have mixed feelings about the rule, but you want the PIAA to do something about transfers? Well, they tried. And people still complain.
11:23
And one more thing about the transfers. Please don't anyone start with I have a right to go to any school I want and play sports. You most certainly do have the right to go to any school you want. But playing sports is not a right. It's a privilege. There are rules. You can disagree with the rules, but they are there. People say, "Well, if I want to go a school for a music program, I can do that and not be eligible." Stop with that stuff. It's not the same.
Big Baller Brand
11:23
What is happening with Seneca ValleY raiders football? I thought they were one of the favorites in 6a? they might not make the playoffs if they don't beat LEBO.
Mike White
11:27
Well, you can look at it two ways. They are missed field goal away from being 0-3. But also a field goal away from being 2-1. There is talent at Seneca. There is experience. There is size. But for some reason, they just haven't put it all together. But a few things. Maybe Canon-McMillan is a lot better than people think. Lot of kids back and QB Mike Evans is good. Also, Peters Township is much better than people thought. After seeing Seneca Valley, though, one thing I think they lack is gamebreaker on offense. Just my opinion.
Willie P.
11:27
Joseph Halder passed away earlier this week and the North Hills community lost a beloved neighbor.  In your time covering high school sports, what is your fondest memory of 'West View Joe?'
Mike White
11:31
Ahhhhh, West View Joe. Memories? Well, played in numerous basketball games as a youngster that he officiated. You would always get a laugh at his screaming out fouls. Or when the buzzer would ring for a substitute, he would yell, only as he could, "Allllll - right." You could hear him yell "Striiiiiiike" through the woods and over the hills at a baseball game. But maybe my favorite was before he officiated a baseball game, he would come to the mound before first pitch and announce battery for both teams. Classic. Honestly, kids loved that. But I also know kids, especially young girls, who were afraid of him in basketball games because of the yelling. But RIP West View Joe.
D9 Dave
11:31
Were you surprised by the Canon Mac vs. SV result last week?  Thought this might be SV’s year in 6A. Big one this week for SV on the road at Pine Richland.
Mike White
11:32
We discussed Seneca a little earlier. Just haven't been able to put it together yet - and they will have to battle to get into the playoffs.
Rsctpro
11:33
Good morning Mike. What do you think of USC v Fox Chapel this week. Will the Panthers growl again?
Mike White
11:34
Well, USC is 3-0 and outscoring teams 44-8. Fox Chapel is 0-3 and has been outscored by average of 37-9. Need I tell you what I think?
WPIAL Lifer
11:34
With Duquesne city school district on pace to once again have a high school and athletic teams, which current school district's sports teams will be most impacted by loss of Duq kids? East A, W. Mifflin, other?
Mike White
11:34
I'm really not sure. I don't know if either West Mifflin or EA has a ton of Duquesne athletes. Yes, they have some but I don't know which school has more. Sorry.
Old Head
11:35
Mike, what are your thoughts on 5A ? Can Penn Trafford repeat ? Or is it Gateway or Penn Hills year ?
Mike White
11:37
I liked what Central coach Terry Totten said after playing Bethel Park Friday. He believes both classes are pretty open. I'm paraphrasing, but he said you can put the teams in a basket and pick one out to determine a champion. I think there is no question that 5A is the best class in WPIAL, as far as the number of quality teams. A lot of people were saying last week that Gateway was definitely the team in 5A now. What do those people think after Gateway struggled to be an 0-3 North Hills team?
Coach O
11:37
The five teams in PG 4A rankings are STRONG. At this level, is this the best grouping you can recall since advent of 6 classes?
Mike White
11:39
Yes, those five teams are strong. They are Aliquippa, Thomas Jefferson, McKeesport, Central Valley and West Allegheny. But I still say 5A is the best - as far as the number of quality teams. 5A has more.
Thisssssswayyyy
11:39
Sorry to learn of Westview Joe passing away.  He was a good man and a fan of kids all over... especially North Hills.. RIP Joe
Mike White
11:39
One of a kind. Talked about him earlier in chat.
Big Baller Brand
11:39
What are some games to keep an eye on this week?
Mike White
11:41
We actually are going a little outside the box and making Hempfield at Shaler our game of the week. Who would've ever thought that, right? But good story angle no matter who wins. Shaler is 2-1 and hasn't been 3-1 since 2011. Hempfield is 3-0 and hasn't been 4-0 since Tony Dorsett was a junior running back at Hopewell. That would've been 1971. But seriously, this is the worst week, by far, for top matchups. Just aren't many of them. Then next week is very good again.
Small Ball
11:42
Who do you see as a sleeper that could make some noise down the stretch and in the playoffs in 2A?
Mike White
11:42
Someone from the Midwestern or Allegheny Conference. Like a Burrell, Apollo-Ridge, or Neshannock or Western Beaver.
WPIAL Lifer
11:43
If you had to choose one class, would it be 2A or 5A as the one that's the most "wide open" at this point? I look at both and see 5-6 legit contenders at this point, but a LOT of ball yet to be played.
Mike White
11:44
Yes, those the two that will probably be the most contested. I know 6A has only five teams, but that might be pretty hotly contested also.
11:45
Off the football path a little, McKeesport's Swin Cash was inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame Saturday. That is major news and was downplayed here in Pittsburgh area. But if you get a chance, search and watch her induction speech. It's only 12 minutes, but some great stuff. Especially at the end.
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