PA vs. NJ

[zonebreaker]

Of course there should be separate classifications or some modification to account for the difference and unfair advantage presented in the current system.

Does that mean there will be? No

[Crimson's Ghost]

This solution has been brought up millions of times, but has anyone ever thought of this scenario?

What if kids became more inclined to play for the Catholic schools over Public schools? I mean looking towards New Jersey, that is a state that produces tons of college basketball players. And they all come from catholic schools.

And what is to say Catholic schools would not just full on recruit kids if they are in their own league? Like a Pittsburgh North Hills kid that could be leaning to attend the New North Catholic HS, but there is no reason why Pittsburgh Central can't come in and offer him something better. And who is to say North Hills High School may talk to the kid, even though he is from a parochial grade school. Now you create a bigger problem between different team and different leagues, and three different High Schools. And what school gets screwed in that situation? Maybe they all do. Maybe the kid does. It becomes a sticky situation for everyone, and there is no governing body that says its wrong. There is no PIAA or WPIAL to tell them differently. Now not only is the common public school worried about a kid or two leaving, but they are competing against multiple catholic schools, a whole different league. The Catholic League Brand would surely like to be better than the PIAA, vice a versa.


This solution about shunning the Catholic schools seems all well and good for small "A" schools in rural areas, but not ideal in suburban areas. Just my read.


The Germantown Academy and Haverford and all those prestigious Prep Schools openly recruit. The Philly Catholic league is not shy about it. People all over the state think (possibly may be right) that each and every Catholic school recruits. Most others don't think they recruit, but rather have too large of an area to pull from.


I'm not so sure reopening the PCIAA is the answer to all of life's problems.

[Crimson's Ghost]

Hypothetically speaking, somebody takes over a Catholic High School. They are wealthy and ambitious. They want to be a national powerhouse like Bishop Gorman or DeMatha Catholic. Maybe he hires all these great coaches. Maybe he builds up the academic program, making it enticing for anyone. Maybe he builds the best facilities. Maybe he recruits away kids from your school district. Maybe those kids are exposed to higher level of athletics, and get scholarships. Maybe more kids follow suit.


And maybe a monster was created. Not saying that will happen, but all things should be considered.

[zonebreaker]

Crimson, I don't think separating public/private or bumping private's up one class is "shunning" the catholic schools.

I think this is a problem a lot of people have getting past. Separating them is not being done to put McCort or whoever in a worse situation. The catholic schools would be fine. Their's enough private schools in the state. They would go on with regular schedules and then play other private schools in the playoffs. It wouldn't be a big deal.

Now granted if you are a fan of a local private school, you might get nervous that its going to hurt your schools chance for a state championship but that is already happening on the other side of the foot to other schools.

If you look at it from a fairness/logic perspective: they should be separated.

If you look at it form a money perspective: they should be separated. More teams. More playoffs. Increased attendance and interest in playoff games.

[zonebreaker]

Recuiting is not a big deal. I don't have a problem with schools seeking out baby Lebron. Or if any of the local private schools recruit. I mean, why wouldn't they? It would be silly if they wouldn't show some interest in certain students.

[konjo78]

What they do in the state of Washington for private schools is they separate them into two classifications of wiaa, 1b and 2b. The more populated private schools were 2b and smaller ones like bm are 1b. they act like any other classification. My problem with that system is it requires those private schools to travel long distances in regular season play.

[zonebreaker]

Hypothetically speaking, somebody takes over a Catholic High School. They are wealthy and ambitious. They want to be a national powerhouse like Bishop Gorman or DeMatha Catholic. Maybe he hires all these great coaches. Maybe he builds up the academic program, making it enticing for anyone. Maybe he builds the best facilities. Maybe he recruits away kids from your school district. Maybe those kids are exposed to higher level of athletics, and get scholarships. Maybe more kids follow suit.


And maybe a monster was created. Not saying that will happen, but all things should be considered.

I don't think that is much of a monster. Sounds like a great reason why privates and publics should be separate. Let them have a system where they can flourish and defeat other private schools that do the same.

Off topic but pass it around: "Don't give up, don't ever give up!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuoVM9nm42E Hard to believe it was 19 years ago!

[Crimson's Ghost]

I could still see problems with this. People would still highly resent Catholic schools. I think its more than a simple, separate them, and everything is all happy in the world. I mean a school like Portage, could still lose their top 4-5 athletes to Bishop Carroll. You don't think that fan base would be upset? And now under my theory Carroll could openly come around and recruit them. The PCIAA isn't going to turn kids away for athletic intent. Its different for public schools, because enrollment won't affect the well being of their school. Whereas losing ten kids from a Catholic school affects the school from a financial standpoint. So obviously a Catholic school would be inclined to take in more kids, because more dollars would be flowing through the halls.

Its simple logistics in my opinion.


As a fan growing up, I enjoyed seeing McCort-Westmont in the Basketball playoffs, McCort-Forest Hills in the football playoffs. Sure the regular season would be much the same. I wouldn't be worried about the state of the Catholic schools, but I'm not so sure there is the amount of teams to have an A and AA classification. Who are the big Catholic schools here in Western Pa? Pittsburgh Central and Cathedral Prep, and the new North Catholic? Am I missing any?

Who are the little ones on this side of the state? McCort,Guilfoyle,Carroll,GCC,DCC,Elk CC,Canevin,Seton LaSalle,Geibel,Mercyhurst,Kennedy...Any more? Obviously that is more competitive.


its a lot to think about, and I'm really not totally against it. But I'd like to see a good plan set in place that would make sense for everybody.

[konjo78]

What stops Catholic schools now from doing this? Real question. Can't Carroll recruit portage players now if wanted to? I feel like they would try after previous 2 seasons

[konjo78]

I mean danny ferens was approached by mccort after his freshman and sophomore year