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Mike White's high school sports chat: 2.26.19
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Mike White
11:01
Best three days of high school sports year are yesterday, today and tomorrow. WPIAL basketball semifinals. So let's get started.
Danny
11:01
Hey Mike. Thanks as always for doing this. Re: Chuck Crummie ... What do you think the expectations for Central hoops should be and why couldn't his program keep pace with football? Gotta figure if he kept winning games, or more than one WPIAL in 40 years, this wouldn't have happened.
Mike White
11:03
Central didn't win football championships until 2000s. So I guess you're saying it's all about championships, eh? No good unless you win championships. He won one. Lost two others. So when you do something for 39 years and still win a ton of games, that's not enough? When your teams always play hard, that's not enough? When you do everything, including sweep the gym floor every day, that's not enough? I just think for as long as he's been there and the time he spent there (as teacher and AD also), he's earned the right to go out on his own terms.
bball
11:03
What the heck happened to Latrobe? Was Canon Mac’s section too underrated all year, or did they catch Latrobe on a bad day?
Mike White
11:05
Maybe Latrobe section overrated? Fox Chapel lost by double digits to Mt. Lebanon. Penn-Trafford went out in first round. But hey, Latrobe was good. Just didn't have enough to be championship caliber. And yes, South Hills section in 6A this year was very good.
Hebrew Hammer
11:05
I see that New Castle had 3 senior starters get into some trouble.  One has been removed from the team and the other two barely played in their first round game.  Does this make Highlands a favorite on Wednesday night?
Mike White
11:07
I'm not sure what's going on with New Castle except that Demetris McKnight didn't play last game. He's their leading scorer. Without him, it will be tough. And Jumpin Johnny Crise really is playing well in playoffs for Highlands. Highlands very easily could win. If Ralph Blundo gets to title game and wins another championship, start building the statue. Well, in fact no matter what happens, they should start building one.
bball
11:08
What WPIAL/City team has the best chance of making a deep run in states? Allderdice at their A game is the best team I’ve seen all year, but in losses to Lebo and USC they looked quite average. Still think Blaufeld is best player on the floor in any game (besides Morton)
Mike White
11:09
Don't see any WPIAL team or Allderdice getting by Kennedy Catholic. The way brackets are set and with the talent, maybe WPIAL 5A teams or 2A have the best chance of making longest PIAA run.
Scott
11:09
Does jimmy moon and Serra catholic have what it takes to take down olsh?
Mike White
11:10
Ahhhh, Jimmy Moon and Serra better worry first about "taking down" Sewickley. That's the semifinal game.
North side Jim
11:10
Any thoughts on South Side Beaver tonight vs. OLSH?  OLSH has won first 2 meetings easily, what does South Side Beaver need to do to keep close?
Mike White
11:11
OLSH prohibitive favorite. Already handled South Side twice. South Side coach said must take care of ball better. Would be a monumental upset if South Side won.
Chooch
11:11
How does the WPIAL determine the refs who will officiate the playoffs?
Mike White
11:12
They assign them round by round. There is an evaluator grading them each game. Also, coaches are asked to provide a list of officials they want or don't want. WPIAL looks at list. Doesn't mean they pay much attention to it. But they look at it.
Golden Tornado
11:12
Do you think the freshman guard from Butler will receive D1 attention in his future? IMO needs to grow a few inches but I see tons of potential
Mike White
11:13
You're talking Devin Carney. Really can shoot it for a freshman. Division I? I don't know. Hard to predict that at this point. Size will definitely be a big factor. He used to be at NA. Left for Butler. Will he stay there all four years?
CC Viking Alum
11:13
Mike - what was the main reason for the dismissal of Chuck Crummie as head coach? Was there tensions between him and the existing AD, Rich Capretta? Did parents and the boosters not see his kids as viable potential successors? Or is it possible that the program needs a change of leadership and scenery? Please elaborate on any details you may have.
Mike White
11:15
Central isn't talking, using the old "we don't discuss personnel." Talked to Chuck this morning. He said he was surprised by it. Had meeting with assistant principal and AD yesterday. He said when he walked in he was told pretty much before he sat down that he was being let go. Said meeting lasted maybe 5 minutes. Chuck said only thing they mentioned is they wanted to go in a different direction and he won only one playoff game the past six years.
11:17
Chuck has thought about retiring past few years. Was thinking about it again this year. He wanted his son, Devin, a Central assistant to have the job. Suffice it to say that ain't going to happen now. Just a shame the way it ended for a man who, counting years as an assistant, gave 45 years to that school and program.
NA Fan
11:17
How about Vincentians duo of Alex Griggs and Angelo Reeves that dude is a stud Heard his nickname is boom
Mike White
11:17
Yes that has been pointed out many times - the Boom nickname. Both are sophomores. Reeves has ton of potential. Griggs could be a heckuva football player I would imagine.
Gary d
11:17
Will the Wpial finals be on TV
Mike White
11:18
No they will not. No deal with KDKA and WPIAL
Ajstrong
11:18
I saw in an article that Vincentian had no seniors. I believe they have one senior Andrew McBrier and is a big part of the scout team. Even so they could be dangerous in years to come as he is the only one on the roster.
Mike White
11:18
Scout team superstar.
Ernie
11:19
In your memory, to ever recall having a semi final where the combined records are 83-4 between the four schools competing like it is in 6A Girls this year.  What are your thoughts on the match ups?
Mike White
11:20
Probably yes. I like Peters Township and NA. So we can have the final everyone has been waiting for. And speaking of Peters Township, saw Makenna Marisa last week for first time this year. Still say one of best true jump shots in WPIAL girls basketball in a lot of years.
Guest
11:20
Chuck Crummie’s firing wasn’t only shocking to everyone outside the program, but I am hearing from players in the program they were in a state of utter shock when told that he was being fired. What do you think of this whole mess? Is there any chance at all Central is good enough to even make the playoffs next year?
Mike White
11:22
Talked about this earlier in chat. Need to realize Central had hardly any players with varsity experience this year. A lot back for next year. One other thing. Catholic grade school basketball has gone down because fewer kids are at Catholic schools. Central wasn't getting the basketball players from those schools like they used to.
J-Stew
11:22
Which school do you think has the best student section?
Mike White
11:22
Erie Cathedral Prep
Cuz
11:22
What the heck is Nazareth Prep?
Mike White
11:24
Nazareth Prep is in the Class 1A final. It is located in Emsworth. They were Holy Family Academy last year. Place located on the old Holy Family Institute. I want Jesus Shuttleworth on Nazareth Prep team. He'd then be Jesus of Nazareth. ....... Wooooo hoooo. I'll be here all week. Try the veal.
Stump
11:24
What are the chances that a shot clock is ever adopted in the future?
Mike White
11:24
I wish it would be. Some states have it. But doesn't seem like PIAA has an interest in starting it. Many schools complain about cost.
J-Stew
11:24
What did you think of Bishop Canevin’s lost from last night?
Mike White
11:25
One of biggest upsets in a number of years.
J-Stew
11:25
Which high school gym do you think is the nicest?
Mike White
11:26
Can't answer. Many nice ones. About 20 years ago, schools started really making nice, new gyms. The new one at Bethel Park (maybe 5-6 years old????) isn't used much for playoffs, but it's tremendous. I like new gyms but I still love old gyms, too, like those at Washington and Beaver Falls.
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