I've said all along that we could combine everyone to one school and it won't matter if we don't upgrade our feeder system.

We would still have athletics at Manual. We would still have basketball at every school.

As an athletic director, I don't want to lose any sports. But the bottom line is Dr. White is the head coach and I'm one of his players. If he says run through the wall, that's what I'll do.

If it's competition, there's a lot more to it than consolidation. There needs to be an improved feeder system and increased pay for coaches if we are to compete with (Marion) County and suburban schools.

Anybody in our league would have died to have him out of high school. He does all the little things. I don't think anybody really tried to see what his offensive talents are. He can shoot from 15 feet, he rebounds and finishes around the basket. I'd be surprised if he wasn't a double-double player for us.

We set a school record with seven WPIAL qualifiers last year. Our previous high was five. Our goal this year is to set a new record, and I think we have the talent required to do that. The kids just have to stay focused.