We're down to the Final Four in PIAA basketball, and our award-winning Post-Gazette dynamic duo of high school sports editor Keith Barnes and Mike White break down the boys and girls games involving WPIAL teams and which ones they believe will be playing this weekend in Hershey!
They also take a look at the recently released conferences for the 2026 and 2027 football seasons and give their opinions on what the WPIAL got right ... and its misses.
All this and more on Varsity Xtra podcast!
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On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo analyze the team's moves in NFL free agency last week.
Is physicality a point of emphasis for new coach Mike McCarthy with Michael Pittman Jr. and Rico Dowdle joining names like DK Metcalf, Jaylen Warren, Darnell Washington, Pat Freiermuth and others on offense? Will the Steelers' size be an advantage, whether Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard or someone else is the quarterback? Or could they struggle to win athletically?
Our duo ponders those questions, then analyzes the Jamel Dean signing. Is he the long-term running mate for Joey Porter Jr. that this defense has been seeking? How will he fit alongside others like Jalen Ramsey and DeShon Elliott? And should the Steelers still be looking at CB options in the draft with Dean's 30s rapidly approaching?
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Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo react to the introductory news conferences for newly signed NFL free agents Michael Pittman Jr., Jamel Dean and Rico Dowdle.
Why was Pittman impressive as he described his career to this point an his aspirations to work alongside names like DK Metcalf, Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers and others within the Steelers offense? Why does Dean feel like he'll be a good fit within new DC Patrick Graham's system alongside names like Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey and Jaquan Brisker? And what are Dowdle's expectations as he shares the backfield with Jaylen Warren? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
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Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable react to the unexpected news that men's basketball coach Jeff Capel will be retained for the 2026-27 season. This show is presented by FanDuel.
What went into the decision by athletic director Allen Greene? Did anybody see this coming? Was Capel's reportedly eight-figure buyout prohibitive? Or was this strictly a basketball decision? Was this exclusively Greene's call? Or did the university and its boosters have some kind of say in the matter?
Where does the program go from here? Is Capel's vaunted recruiting class enough reason for hope moving forward? Will the university give Capel more NIL resources now? And what can we read into Greene's message about more community/fan support? Our duo tackles those topics and more.
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Post-Gazette Penguins insider King Jemison takes a look at where the team stands without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin after an ugly 6-2 road loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. This show is presented by FanDuel.
What went wrong for the Penguins in Sin City? Why were they so prone to silly mistakes that they've been able to avoid for the most part this season? Are they trending downward during this tough road trip down the stretch?
Has anyone stepped up in the absences of Sidney Crosby (injured) and Evgeni Malkin (suspended)? Who NEEDS to step up? And when might Crosby be back? King tackles those topics and more.
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On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko react to the signing of safety Jaquan Brisker.
Is the local product the team's answer at safety this offseason? How will he fit alongside other secondary members including Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey and Jamel Dean? And could the Steelers still consider an NFL draft safety like Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren as a long-term solution at the position?
Our duo tackles those questions, then ponders the biggest NFL draft needs for GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy following this week's moves to acquire names like Dean, Michael Pittman Jr., Rico Dowdle and Darnell Savage.
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On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes ESPN's Brooke Pryor to react to the team's moves in NFL free agency so far.
What are the pros and cons for GM Omar Khan's moves for players including Michael Pittman Jr., Jamel Dean, Rico Dowdle, Darnell Savage and others? Did the Steelers mess up in 2022 in selecting Kenny Pickett in the NFL draft instead of top free agents this year including Alec Pierce and Malik Willis? And to what degree have Khan and coach Mike McCarthy centered their offseason on an expectation of Aaron Rodgers returning at QB? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
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Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the Steelers' AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens pulling out of a trade to acquire star pass rusher Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders then subsequently signing Trey Hendrickson from the division rival Cincinnati Bengals.
Did the dramatic turn of events help or hurt the Steelers in the long run? Should the Ravens be under scrutiny from the league for the way the ill-fated trade played out? Does the Ravens' roster depletion — which included names like Tyler Linderbaum and Isaiah Likely — make them vulnerable as the perceived 2026 frontrunners in the division? Or will star QB Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry always make that team dangerous?
Paul tackles those questions, plus gives his thoughts on the Cam Heyward extension and Darnell Savage signing from the Steelers.
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Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley and Noah Hiles report from the team's 7-2 loss to the Orioles on Wednesday and break down the latest news and notes from the team.
With Konnor Griffin still in the mix at spring training, has he moved himself any closer to securing a spot on the opening day roster? When should we be worried about the collective slump of the Pirates' two catchers, Joey Bart and Henry Davis? And what is the likelihood Paul Skenes' trip to the World Baseball Classic with Team USA gets cut short after manager Mark DeRosa's gaffe leaves them teetering on the edge of being eliminated? Our duo tackles those topics and more.
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On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Christopher Carter to react to the latest news from NFL free agency.
What does Darnell Savage -- the Steelers' latest signing -- add to the secondary next to names like Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean and Jalen Ramsey? Does he fill the team's need there? Or do GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy need to be looking closely at prospects like Caleb Downs, Dillion Thieneman and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the NFL draft? What should we make of Cam Heyward's contract extensions? And does the Steelers' lack of moves beyond him on the defensive line highlight a draft need there for names like Kayden McDonald or Peter Woods to join Yahya Black, Derrick Harmon and Keeanu Benton?
Our duo tackles those questions, then ponders the Ravens' decision to back out of the trade involving Maxx Crosby and sign Trey Hendrickson instead. How does the drama shape the balance of power in the AFC North? And are the Steelers currently the most improved team in the division following the additions of names like Rico Dowdle and Michael Pittman Jr.?
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