The Dribbler is in trouble.

He got himself into hot water (well, frigid water) last week when his car got stuck in the Parkway "bath tub."

His editors are so angry he turned in last week's column late, they're starting to think irrationally.

They recently read in the Post-Gazette that PETA is advocating Punxsutawney Phil be replaced by a robot so the animal no longer has to "suffer."

Now, The Dribber's editors are advocating he be replaced by a robot -- so readers no longer have to suffer.

But where will The Dribbler find work? There is not much demand for a mysterious figure whose only apparent skill is predicting the outcome of high school basketball games.

The Dribbler thinks his days are numbered. He followed up one bad week with another, finishing 14-9 last week (60.9 percent). His season record is now 64-31 (67.4 percent).

But just like many Western Pennsylvania high school teams that are hitting their stride with the playoffs in sight, so too will The Dribbler.

He thinks this week might prove to be his best ever (it better be, because his editors are threatening it will be his last once DribX32500 arrives from Japan).

Here are The Dribbler's views on the top upcoming games:

Chartiers Valley at Hampton -- Some are calling this the game of the year and it's already a sellout. The key to the game is how Hampton handles Chartiers Valley's defensive pressure. Winner: Chartiers Valley.

Central Catholic at North Allegheny, 7:30 p.m. today -- The Dribbler went back and forth trying to pick a winner here. The Tigers have a lot of confidence since beating Butler on the road earlier this week. The Vikings have won five in a row and are 8-for-9 in 2010. Normally, he'd go with home-court advantage, but... Winner: Central Catholic.

Sewickley Academy at Shady Side Academy, 7:30 p.m. Saturday -- Another tough game because both teams have only two losses. But The Dribbler is a simple man. He sees Shady Side Academy is at home, and they are in a higher classification than Sewickley Academy. And, as always with The Dribbler, class matters. Winner: Shady Side Academy.

Other top boys' games

Today -- (Home teams are in CAPS) Greensburg Salem over MOUNT PLEASANT; LINCOLN PARK over Neshannock.

Monday -- Center over ALIQUIPPA.

Tuesday -- Gateway over PLUM; CENTRAL CATHOLIC over Butler; Mt. Lebanon over PETERS TOWNSHIP; GREENSBURG SALEM over Laurel Highlands; SHADY SIDE ACADEMY over Greensburg Central Catholic.

Mt. Lebanon at Bethel Park, 7:30 p.m. Monday -- This rivalry game lost a lot of luster when Bethel Park lost to Upper St. Clair last week. But this is the last, real chance for a WPIAL team to beat the Blue Devils before the playoffs begin. That' won't happen. Winner: Mt. Lebanon.

Hopewell at New Castle, 7:30 p.m. Monday -- The Vikings' one-point home win against New Castle on Jan. 15 has given them control of the section. That comes to an end Tuesday night. Winner: New Castle.

Today -- (Home teams are in CAPS) ALLDERDICE over Westinghouse.

Monday -- OAKLAND CATHOLIC over Fox Chapel; THOMAS JEFFERSON over Belle Vernon.

Thursday -- HAMPTON over Highlands; Seton-LaSalle over BISHOP CANEVIN; GREENSBURG CENTRAL CATHOLIC over Jeannette; NORTH CATHOLIC over Vincentian Academy.

Mike White's "High School Sports Edition" videos are featured exclusively on PG+, a members-only web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.