Central Strong: Hi Mike. GCC plays Jeannette this week. Probably won't be much of a game but it has been a great rivalry. Who do you think are some of the best rivalries in the WPIAL?
Mike White: Sorry, but that won't be a game at all. Blowout city. GCC has really fallen but I know they are playing a lot of young kids. Freshmen even. But that program has fallen -- and it's surprising to see how much Monessen has fallen. 1-5??? Wow.
As far as rivalries. There are a number of them. Six classes took away one of them -- North Hills vs. NA. Now in different classes. But I can tell you North Hills doesn't really mind not playing NA any longer.
No more Mt. Lebanon-Upper St. Clair, either.
Also Charleroi-Monessen started playing again this year. That goes way back. I think you need both teams to be pretty good to really make rivalry.
BigBunny: What happened to Kiski? I thought Ross Greece was a beast but now not so much
Mike White: They started 4-1. But besides Franklin Regional, who did they beat? Plum, Connellsville, Latrobe. Not exactly ton of competition. I think everyone still had questions what would happen when they played good teams. Now two consecutive blowout losses. Give them props. Coach has them definitely improved, but just not among best teams.
Mike White: Talked to Lamont Wade last night for a notes column piece later this week. Will visit Tennessee this weekend. Penn State first weekend in November. Has visit planned to UCLA but they might need to be scratched because of WPIAL playoffs. Might take two more visits to WVU and Va. Tech. Pitt is still in it but won't take official visit there because he's been there so many times. Just my own opinion. I doubt he takes all five visits just because it's hard while still playing. Still plans announce Dec. 17.
BigBunny: Why doesn't Clairton cut their grass?
Mike White: What???? Not a terrific grass field but it was OK. Tough to maintain a grass field when your team also practices on it. If it didn't rain, it would've been OK. I was on field before game and it wasn't beautifully manicured but it's a high school field.
NW9: Now that Highlands spoiled your Montour pick last week, do you have them as the 4th team in from the Northwest 9 now?
Mike White: They have chance at playoffs but there's still four teams in conference with fewer losses than Highlands. Big, big game this week against Highlands. That conference is really good. Those closes losses hurt.
Guest: I thought Wade was done talking about recruiting?
Mike White: No I think he tweeted something about that a while ago. To be honest, I think it was more directed at people he didn't know. Like, people from web sites, etc. He's never been anything but great to me. I really like the kid.
John: Hello, it looks like the top 4 teams in the northern 6A should be the top seeds how is the WPIAL going to seed them in the playoffs
Mike White: Can't really do "true" seeds because the top two teams in the two 6A conferences get a home game. So, the No. 3 and 4 teams from the Northern Seven will play away in the first round against the too two from the Southeastern - which is looking like Mt. Lebanon and Bethel.
guest: Who do you think will retire first Novak or Render?
Mike White: Good question. Or Zmijanc. Really not sure about any of them. I think George Novak will go maybe two more years. Not sure about Render. I think Zmijanac will go maybe one more year. But Novak always says he will decide end of each season.
Central Strong: For us teams not making the football playoffs, we are already starting to think about basketball. Who are the early teams to watch for boys hoops this year?
Mike White: This is going off top of my head. 6A I would say Pine-Richland has to be No. 1 team going in. Defending champ. Good talent back. Grant Carrigan is 6-7 kid in football who also will play. Phil Jurkovec told me he is still going to play hoops.
New Castle should be good again. Beaver Falls should still be good even though Donovan Jeter not playing.
Aliquippa lost an awful lot. Lincoln Park should be good again Nelly Cummings.
Hampton will be good. You've got a terrific section with them Char Valley, Mars.
Is Imani a private...: Kids transfer between City League schools all of the time, is there a reason they are never contested? I am thinking all the way back to Darrell Porter going from Brashear to Perry.
Mike White: Yes kids do transfer in city, but I don't think it's rampant. What people don't understand is there are also probably 150 to 200 kids who transfer WPIAL schools every year and are not contested. You only hear of the ones who have hearings or are contested. Almost all of the ones in WPIAL aren't contested.
NW9: Chances that New Castle continues to struggle and fall down the standings this week? Tall grass field at Knoch to keep that speed to a minimum...
Mike White: Won't be an easy win at Knoch. As I said before, that conference is tough. I think New Castle good, but not great.
Vball man: Is Imani a private school or a charter school? are they allowed to give scholarships?
Mike White: Private. No one is allowed to give "athletic" scholarships. You are, however, allowed to give financial aid based on need. Like a college. Remember it's "aid based on need."
And I've always found it amazing that if they "need" you, they might find you some "aid." Not saying that goes on at Imani. But that's the way it goes sometimes.
Guest22: Does Beaver Falls have what it takes to have a mild upset over Central Valley?
Mike White: Without a doubt. I wouldn't consider it an upset, either. It's a pick'em game I think. A lot of people have forgotten about BFalls because of that opening debacle against Aliquippa. They're still good. Haven't really played anyone since then. But they are good. Plus, Malik Shepherd is now back which makes them even better. Either Beaver Falls, Beaver, Central Valley or Aliquippa won't make playoffs.
It's looking like three of them will get in.
Vball man: Is there a set limit on the amount of "aid". At central Catholic it is capped around $500, is it like that at most schools
Mike White: Nope. I have no idea what it is at Central. But you can pay nothing if you quality.
NW9: Any hot names for head coaching spots or movement next year?
Mike White: For what, football??? Who knows. Little too early for that.
Guest44: First official basketball practice is a month and one week away, for you personally, do you enjoy covering basketball or football more, and why?
Mike White: I enjoy both. I enjoy a lot of sports. But basketball has long been my favorite sport, just me personally. To me, there's not anything better to cover than big, big high school basketball playoff game - whether WPIAL or state. When place is packed, electricity in the air. You don't get that in any other sport. Football state playoffs are not well attended. Even some WPIAL semifinal games in football, crowds aren't always great. It's usually cold then. Ha ha.
guest: Which hire works better, a high school assistant or a local small college assistant coach?
Mike White: Don't understand what you mean?? You mean should a high school hire a high school assistant or college assistant?? It's all on a case by case basis I think.
WPIAL Joey: Could you offer a pick in Seneca Valley/NA? Seneca has really improved this year and beat Penn Hills a lot worse than NA did. Thanks for the chat Mike.
Mike White: I'll still pick NA. Yes Seneca is coming on. Wouldn't surprise me if Seneca won. But Seneca usually doesn't fare well AT NA over the years. I think it will be close. Ehan Maenza could be the difference.
Guest: Mike What about 5 A Conference with Armstrong Gateway McKeesport Penn Trafford and Franklin Regional Turned into a Great Conference and some very good games
Mike White: Lot of big games left to be played in that one also. Franklin has really come on. How good is Armstrong?? Is Penn-Trafford falling?? Tough to answer all those questions. I think outcome of Penn-Trafford-Armstrong this week will tell a lot.
Mike White: That's about it for now. Nice enough to go play 18 isn't it?? Wish I could. Ha ha. Let's talk again next week.
First Published: October 11, 2016, 1:20 p.m.
Updated: October 11, 2016, 4:08 p.m.
