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Mike White's high school sports chat: 11.15.22
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Mike White
10:56
Well, let's get started a little early. Eight WPIAL semifinal football games Friday night. Two championships Saturday. And basketball games are only 2 1/2 weeks away. Oh, and by the way. For you soccer fans, all state semifinal games tonight are postponed until tomorrow because of weather. Now, let's get started.
Coach O
10:56
With their tradition and usually good athletes, I was really surprised by New Castle football this year. 1-9 and giving up 50 a game. Wow. Will basketball team be strong again this year?
Mike White
10:57
I know New Castle was not supposed to be very good this year in football. Not a real surprise. For basketball, New Castle moves up to 6A. They will be good in basketball, as usual. No size, but you know Ralph will still have them very good. Will be top five in 6A heading into season. Number of players back, but losing Mike Wells to graduation is a big loss.
VikingsBBall
10:57
With basketball season approaching, what are your thoughts on 6A.  Heard Central Catholic lost to Pine Richland in a fall league game. Pine must be decent.  Hearing NA looks strong. Saw some teams from the south hills, Lebo looks good.  What are you seeing?
Mike White
10:59
Central should be No. 1 heading into season. Yes, Central lost to Pine in fall league playoffs at buzzer. But don't put that much stock into wins and losses in fall league games. Pine will still be decent, yes. Just no size. No idea about NA, but they do have a few players back. NA will be in thick of things. USC, Baldwin and Lebo teams to watch in South. Don't overlook Norwin. They are a sleeper team. Bilinsky is very good. One of best players in WPIAL.
Wondering
10:59
The limited 6A football schedule is like watching grass grow.  How do we fix it?
Mike White
11:01
"WE" can't do anything. PIAA is not going away from six classes. WPIAL could try a hybrid system, where 6A and 5A teams would be in same conferences in regular season, and then break out in playoffs. But that won't happen next year. Plus, few years ago, coaches and schools voted against that hybrid system.
WPIAL fan
11:02
Bishop Canevin contesting a transfer after the stunts they pulled last year with their football team is all time comedy
Mike White
11:02
Bishop Canevin must have had its reasons. Don't know what they were.
Curious
11:02
Does Palko (a) stay at Lebo, (b) look for a new challenge or (c) retire for good?
Mike White
11:02
I don't see him retiring.
Hsfan
11:02
Will the PG strike affect Hoops coverage?
Mike White
11:03
Yes, we just don't manpower to do everything we used to do. But we're grinding and trying to do as much as we can.
Truth Teller
11:03
There needs to be a story on how some of these perennial powers have kids who live in different school districts.
Mike White
11:03
Sure.
Rules guru
11:03
If you HAVE to listen to a high school game, who do you want announcing it?
Mike White
11:03
Howard Cosell.
Thomas
11:03
Any last minute efforts to get the finals on tv?
Mike White
11:04
Nope. They won't be on TV. Done.
Rams Fan
11:05
Good morning Mike. Very exciting week of football on Friday. It seems to me that the Rams have it coming all together at the right time. I think we will roll USC by 21. What are your thoughts? Thanks.
Mike White
11:06
Well, the Rams are 3-6, so I don't know what's coming together for them. ... Oh, are you talking some other Rams? Pine-Richland? Yes, they are rolling. And I think I like them to win title, but not way by 21. USC is pretty good, too.
Venango proud.
11:06
Landan Stevenson and Ethan Knox are great stories from smaller schools this year. Best player from smaller school you’ve seen that was really good at next level. Not including any quips.
Mike White
11:10
That's easy. Tyler Boyd of Clairton. Also, remember Terrelle Pryor was at Jeannette and it was only a 2A school. Going back to olden days, Brian Davis of Washington was tremendous. Washington was 2A when there were 4 classes. He only played a few games at Pitt because of some issues, but he showed flashes of brilliance at Pitt. Remember, was 1984 Parade's national player of the year. There were others. From a real small school, Mapletown's Derek Bochna turned into a really good DB at Penn State. Also played baseball at Penn State.
USC Class of 89
11:15
This USC team reminds me a lot of the 1988 team, our first outright WPIAL championship team. Seemingly came out of nowhere and won WPIAL and would've won States were it not for our stupid school board. This team has more talent I think. The Ram Fan is gonna be surprised I think.
Mike White
11:19
I don't think this USC came out of nowhere. Yes, that 1988 team got ripped off. That was the first year of state playoffs and there were I remember maybe 19-20 schools that voted before season not to participate in state playoffs because they didn't believe in them. Upper St. Clair was one of them. That mindset lasted only one year. USC board had egg on its face. No one voted not to participate after that first year. Central lost to USC in WPIAL championship and went to state playoffs instead of USC. Central beat Brashear in state semis and then Cedar Cliff and future NFL TE Kyle Brady in the championship.
Four A
11:19
Any chance TJ comes
Mike White
11:19
What?
Brown Touchdown
11:19
Will Jamall Brown finally get the recognition he deserves ?
Mike White
11:20
You're speaking of Upper St. Clair's Jamaal Brown. He's very good. ... There, now he has some recognition.
Four A
11:20
Any chance TJ comes from nowhere as they did in 2015 and wins the WPIAL
Mike White
11:21
Here we go with the "chance" stuff. Of course, TJ has a chance. They are playing well. But I like Central Valley this week.
John
11:21
Mike, What are your thoughts on Allderdice? They are blowing everyone out. Where do they stand as a team in Western PA? Top 5-10? They've only lost to Penn Hills who looks like the best team in 5A
Mike White
11:23
We're talking basketball now. Yes, Allderdice is very good. Number of returning players. They have talent, experience, not a great deal of size, but so what? Have some shooters, too, and a few athletic kids. I saw them 2 or 3 times in fall. Devin Crummie doing really good job with them. If they were in WPIAL in 6A, I'd say they would be in top three heading into season. Maybe even No. 1.
Taylor Swift
11:29
I have some down time before I start my tour. What HS Football games should I see this weekend ?
Mike White
11:30
Well, you can only see one Friday night because they are all at 7. Personally, I like Aliquippa and McKeesport the best. On Saturday, 5A championship is at noon at Norwin and 6A championship is at 6 at Norwin.
TM
11:30
Devin Carney had a great high school career. I thought he would see some time, maybe significant time this year at Duquesnse. He hasn't played yet. Do you know if he is hurt or taking a redshirt?
Mike White
11:30
Yes, he is redshirting.
Guest
11:35
Chances of big 7 championship game in 1a?
Mike White
11:35
I don't see South Side beating Bishop Canevin. But you're guaranteed at least one Big 7 team. Union or Rochester.
CJ
11:35
Hey Mike, what is your take on this McKeesport/Aliquippa game?  Both teams have strong, fast defenses.  The Quips are more balanced on offense.  Should be a good one after what we saw last year.
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