MIKE WHITE’S HIGH SCHOOL CHAT

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights from Mike White’s Tuesday high school sports chat, which you can join weekly at post-gazette.com. Questions and answers have been edited for clarity:

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Jojo: What are your thoughts on [Central Catholic] moving to a new section for boys basketball? Seems odd.

Mike White: Not at all. Some would say it’s odd that Central played in the northern section for a lot of years. Now they are in a section with teams from the east, except Fox Chapel. Not odd at all. Over the years, Central has played in section with teams from east. Plus, it’s a good move for competitiveness. Let’s face it, that section was proven to be very weak last season. And without Central, it would’ve had only five teams and been even weaker this season. So Central at least gives it a little more competitiveness. If you’re going to have three section in 6A, I think Central is now where it belongs.

littleschool: Some schools have been forced to move up a class for football and basketball. Is there also a path for them to move back down again. If so, what do they need to do in order to move back down.

Mike White: It’s all based on school enrollment.

Todd: How in the world could the PIAA rule in favor of North Catholic’s girls team when it comes to the competitive balance formula? That school’s teams are made up of transfers every year. The students choose to go there each year, thus the students are transfers each year. The PIAA’s decision is a contradiction of its own rule.

Mike White: What? Never heard this absurd logic about “transfers.” But North Catholic did not have a transfer the past two years. There was nothing for the PIAA to rule about. North Catholic had one player on its roster the past two years who wasn’t on the previous season. But she was not a transfer. Case closed.

D9 Dave: What is it going to take to get the shot clock rule passed by the NFHS? Do you think [Pennsylvania] should go ahead and at least put it to a vote and adopt it if passed at the state level? Are you in favor of a 35 second clock or something else?

Mike White: I am certainly in favor of a 35-second shot clock. I think it would be fun. People come up with drawbacks. Cost is one of them. But nine other states make it work. I think most coaches want it also. I do think it would hurt teams that are not as talented as their opponent, but overall it would be good for the game. PIAA could adopt it if they really wanted, but they are going by the notion that they follow NFHS rules.

Pants: Best thing you mentioned is 6A girls should have more playoff teams. Last year 50% of 6A girls teams made playoffs (8/16) yet 12/18 from 6A boys for 66%. That’s way out of balance, and hope the WPIAL changes it!

Mike White: I agree. If you’re going to take 12 in 6A boys with 17 teams, you can’t take only eight in 6A girls with 15 teams.

Tjfan: Football in spring, baseball in fall. Pennsylvania baseball starts in March anyway. Weather isn’t great. Could be a consideration.

Mike White: That has been talked about. But I don’t see why you can’t start baseball in May anyway and play through early to mid-July. Because of weather around here, not many teams play many games before early April anyway. And these times call for adjustments. So let’s adjust. Start baseball late and play until mid-July. Iowa does it.

Tjfan: it will be very interesting to see, what kids are working? What kids aren’t?

Mike White: Some football teams are having “optional” workouts for players from their homes on video. Using Zoom or Google Meets, etc. I think that’s great. Some teams are giving kids workout programs to do on their own.