Episode 20 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Tuesday, January 9, 2018.

This is our first show of 2018. We open up the year with boys buckets conversation with Lake Zurich coach Billy Pitcher.

First we talk to Billy about the upcoming Martin Luther King tournament hosted by Lake Zurich (2:00-5:00). Next Billy discusses the pros of tournament games and how it helps prepare his team for the conference schedule (5:00-7:30). We then talk about taking transfer players and how one for the Bears this season is having a huge impact (7:30-12:00). Joe then asks Billy for a scouting report on Waukegan transfer Andre White, Jr. and the strength of the North Suburban Conference this winter (12:00-17:00). We close the interview by asking Billy about the overall quality of basketball in Lake County and the impact of AAU in the area (17:00-21:30)

We close the show with Joe emptying his notebook from the holiday tournaments and Jon’s teams to get off the couch and watch live this week (25:00-31:00). We give our performers of the week (31:00-32:00), Grayslake North senior guard James Connolly and Lake Forest junior forward Ellie Pearson.

It’s another great episode of Lake County Sports Talk. For more information on the podcast, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com

It’s almost Christmas and we’re talking football. The reason? National signing day is now in December. One of the area’s most sought after recruits, Lake County News Sun Player of the Year, and now member of the Notre Dame class of 2018… Micah Jones of Warren High School  joins us now….

First Micah explains why he chose Notre Dame over Northwestern (2:00-6:00). Did other schools try and flip Micah? If so, how? (6:00-8:15). We then ask Micah about the early signing period and if he believes it is here to stay (8:30-11:00). Micah then explains why he is enrolling early at Notre Dame (11:30-13:30). We wrap up by asking Micah about social media in luring recruits (13:45-15:30).

We close the show with Joe talking about his trip to Lake Zurich and story on Wisconsin recruit Jack Sanborn (16:00-21;00 ) and we give our final thoughts and holiday thanks as we close out the show for 2017 (22:00-37:00). Be sure to listen as Joe has simple solution on how to cure society’s ills in 2018.

It’s another great episode of Lake County Sports Talk. For more information on the podcast, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com

Girls basketball season here. The leader of one of Lake County’s top teams joins us, Warren Blue Devil head coach John Stanczykiewicz.

We first ask John about what his expectations are for his teams in the month of November (2:00-4:00). Joe then asks coach about the improvement in the level of play of his two stars, Kaitlin Dickson and Jordyn Hughes (4:30-6:30). We next ask John about the advantages and challenges of coaching star players (6:30-11:00) and the increased influence of AAU basketball 11:00-19:30). We wrap up he interview with an assessment of the North Suburban Conference in 2017-18 (20:00-23:30).

It’s another full episode of Lake County Sports Talk.

For more information on the podcast, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com. 

Lake Zurich is in the Class 7A football state championship game. One of the stars of the Bears, running back and linebacker Joey Stutzman, joins us on this week’s episode of Lake County Sports Talk.

We first ask Stutzman about Saturday’s state title game vs Batavia (1:45-2:30). Joe next asks Joey about how his role on the team has changed this season (2:40-4:30) and the final drive to beat Mt. Carmel in the semifinals (5:30-7:30). We then ask Stutzman about the takeaway-hungry bears defense and have they started their own turnover chain this season (8:00-13:00).

Jon and Joe then asks Stutzman about the influence of Coach Mertens and how he has helped lead the tam past the hazing scandal from a year ago (13:00-21:30). We wrap up the interview by asking Joey about his memories as a kid of attending and watching Lake Zurich in the 2007 state title game (21:45-27:00)

Jon and Joe then recap the interview with Stutzman and keys to the game (27:00-36:00)

We give our weekly Performers of the Week in Lake County (36:30-39:30)

We highlight the IHFSCA all-state football selections and the Joe gives the names of a couple of hoopsters we need to be on the look out for this winter.

It’s another full episode of Lake County Sports Talk.

For more information on the podcast, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com. 

We are in the semifinal round of the IHSA football playoffs. Saturday, November 18, Lake Zurich hosts Mt. Carmel in the Class 7A semis. The winner earns a trip to to DeKalb and the state championship game. We have on as a guest Jack Sanborn, star senior linebacker for he Bears.

Sanborn first talks about watching great Bears teams from the past as a kid and how much of an influence they had on him as a young kid (2:00-5:30). Sanborn then discusses the emotions of having his little brother play on the same team as him now (5:30-8:30). Next he talks about the Bears defense and its ball hawking, takeaway personality this fall (9:00-12:30). Jon asks Jack about handling the hazing scandal of 2016 and how this season is opportunity to try and make amends (12:30-15:15). Joe asks Jack about who was toughest player this season for Jack to face (15:30-17:30). We close out the interview with some football conversation about Saturday’s game and how the Bears can slow down the Caravan running attack (17:30-19:00)

Jon and Joe then recap the interview with Sanborn and keys to the game (20:00-28:00)

We give our weekly Performers of the Week in Lake County (28:10-30:00)

We highlight the Vernon Hills girls swimming team and the Joe give shameless plug to the Daily Herald girls basketball preview issue coming out Friday, Nov. 17.

It’s another full episode of Lake County Sports Talk.

For more information on the podcast, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com. 

We are in the quarterfinal round of the IHSA football playoffs. We have on as a guest Luke Mertens, head football coach of the Bears. The Bears travel to Chicago to face St. Rita Saturday, Nov. 11.

Mertens has ties to St. Rita. A Chicago native, Mertens talks about his connection to Chicago football and St. Rita High School (01:30-09:30). Next, we talk to Mertens about the match up with the Mustangs (10:00-14:30). We also ask Mertens about last year’s hazing scandal and how he and the program is moving forward (14:30-21:30). Finally, Luke explains how regional a big city like Chicago is and what it was like as a kid moving from the South Side to the North Side (21:30-29:00)

Jon and Joe then recap second round games involving Lake County teams (34:00-42:00)

We give our weekly Performers of the Week in Lake County (42:00-45:00).

We highlight the Vernon Hills girls cross country team and the Libertyville boys soccer team.

It’s another full episode of Lake County Sports Talk.

For more information on the podcast, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com. 

Episode 13 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Wednesday, November 1, 2017.

It’s Week 2 of the IHSA football playoffs. We have on as a guest Sam Baker, head football coach at Grayslake North. The Knights host Belvidere North in the 2nd round of the Class

Baker, a Minnesota native, first talks about how he laid the ground work for his move to Illinois and the Grayslake North job (1:30-6:30) He then discusses how he evaluates jobs and his networking process (6:30-9:15). He then sizes up the difference between football in Illinois and Minnesota and breaks down the Knights match up with Belvidere North (9:15-18:15)

Jon and Joe then break down the playoff matchups involving Grayslake North and Lakes (18:30-24:20) and the remaining three North Suburban Conference teams, Lake Zurich, Warren and Lake Forest (24:30-35:00)

We give our weekly Performers of the Week in Lake County (35:00-39:00).

We highlight the Libertyville boys soccer team that advances to the Class 3A state tournament and girls cross country.

It’s another full episode of Lake County Sports Talk.

For more information on the podcast, go to www.lakecountysportstalk.com. 

Jon and Joe first discuss the resignation of long time Carmel Catholic coach Andy Bitto (2:00-10:00). Jon criticizes how the decision was handled (10:00-12:00). What’s next for Carmel? (15:00-20:00). 

Next, Jon and Joe break down first round football matchups. First the five games involving North Suburban Conference teams (20:00-33:00) then the three games with Northern Lake County Conference teams (33:00-40:00).

It’s another full episode of Lake County Sports Talk.

For more detailed show notes and updates, be sure to sign up for our newsletter at www.lakecountysportstalk.com. 

Jon and Joe are joined by soccer writer Mike Garafola. Mike writes for chicagolandsoccer.org and he breaks down the boys soccer postseason brackets in both Class 3A and Class 2A (01:00-38:00).

In the next segment (38:00-51:00) Jon and Joe discuss big Week 9 games in prep football involving the Northern Lake County (Antioch-Grayslake North) and North Suburban Conferences (Zion-Libertyville, Warren-Stevenson).

Finally, we have our Lake County Performers of the Week as we recognize Stevenson boys golf Class 3A state champ Jackson Bussell and Barrington girls golf Class 2A state runner up Caroline Smith.

It's another full episode of Lake County Sports Talk.

For more detailed show notes and and other bonuses, sign up for our email list at www.lakecountysportstalk.com. 

On today's episode, we talk state tournament golf with Vernon Hills coach Shawn Healey. The Cougars are playing in their fourth straight Class 2A state golf tournament this weekend in Bloomington.

Jon and Joe also preview Week 8 in the prep football season and include boys soccer and girls volleyball teams as our Lake County Performers of the Week.

Don't miss another full episode of Lake County Sports Talk.

Jon and Joe start right off with a guest, Antioch head coach Brian Glashagel. With Coach Glas, we preview one of two huge Oct. 6 games in Lake County, Antioch and Lakes. How have the Sequoits been able to build such sustained success not only this year, but over the past decade? 

We also discuss the big game in the North Suburban Conference between Stevenson and Lake Zurich. Who has the advantage?

We close with a recap of boys and girls regional golf tournaments and our Performers of the Week. 

Don't miss a loaded episode of Lake County Sports Talk.

We recap the slate of Thursday night games in Lake County. Joe was at Antioch-Round Lake, Jon covered Lake Zurich and Lake Forest. We'll preview Week 7 showdowns in both the North Suburban and Northern Lake County Leagues as Stevenson battles Lake Zurich and Antioch takes on Lakes. 

In the second segment of the show, we put the spot light on golf. We talk about Stevenson's team win in the NSC tourney and a playoff involving golfers from Lake Forest and Stevenson on the boys side. 

Spend part of National Coffee Day (pumpkin spice for Joe, dark roast for Jon) with Lake County Sports Talk. 

Week 5 of the high school football season is Friday night. Lots of good games in Lake County but none bigger than the one in Gurnee. The Warren Blue Devils host the Lake Zurich Bears in a battle of North Suburban Conference leaders.

We’re excited to be joined by the senior wide receiver of the Blue Devils, Micah Jones live on the show. 

We also preview the other top games going on this week in Lake County. 

This past week marked the passing of a Lake County basketbal legend. Former Grant star Lee Oler, one of the greatest players in county history, passed away at the age of 68.  

Joe and I have on as a special guest Tom Maple, long time Bulldogs coach (1975-2000) and friend of Oler's. Tom shares stories about Oler and his legacy in Lake County boy's basketball. 

We then talk about week 4 football matchups in the Northern Lake County and North Suburban Conferences. 

Start your weekend right with Lake County Sports Talk. 

Joe and I have on as a guest Round Lake football coach Cristo Garza. Coach Garza talks about the Panthers hot 2-0 start and the benefits and challenges of coaching in the Round Lake community. After our conversation with Coach Garza, we pivot to week 3 in the prep football schedule. Joe previews the Libertyville-Warren game and Jon talks about Stevenson at Lake Forest. 

Start your weekend right with Lake County Sports Talk. 

We are through week 2 of the prep football season. Joe and I discuss storylines from the weekend. Jon was at Stevenson for the Patriots loss to Muskegon. Joe was at Round Lake. The Panthers are now 2-0 on the season. We whip around the North Suburban and Northern Lake County League action. 

We also talk about the Libertyville volleyball team's fundraiser to raise money for victims of Hurricane Harvey. 

"What's eating Joe" is a new segment on Lake County Sports Talk. This week, Joe takes on Senior Night. 

Start your week off right by listening to Lake County Sports Talk. 

On the day of the kick off of the high school football season, Joe and I have on the show Andy Bitto.

Bitto is the head football coach and athletic director at Carmel Catholic. 

We talk to Bitto about a major shift in the Corsairs offensive philosophy, the use of freshman on the varsity level and the future of tackle a football. Be sure to listen to this wide-ranging interview with the always candid Bitto. 

Football season is here. Start the season the right way by listening to Lake County Sports Talk. 

Joe and I are back after a summer sabbatical. Our guest is new Lake Zurich High School Athletic Director Dr. Andy Lambert. 

We talk to Andy about the recent hazing scandal, any lingering fall out and how the school is proactively instituting new polices as the Bears begin a new football season, fall sports schedule and school year.

Be sure to listen to the full interview with Dr. Lambert. 

In episode 2, we preview upcoming football seasons in the Northern Lake County League and North Suburban Conference. We also talk about changes at Carmel Catholic. In the final segment, Jon and Joe recap media day for the September BMW Championships at Conway Farms. 

It's a doubleheader of shows on Lake County Sports Talk. 

Football season is here. Start the season the right way by listening to Lake County Sports Talk.