Archive: Initial Reaction with JR Radcliffe and JP Cadorin

Mark Miller, architect of the forthcoming Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout (Dec. 27-29), stops by to preview the event but also talk a lot about the old days of WISAA (21:30), the now-defunct athletic association for private schools. Mark discusses some of the best players he saw in the WISAA state tournaments, his recollections of the logic behind the 2000 merger with the WIAA, the state of public vs. private today. Plus, a look ahead to the Shootout (42:00). JP and JR talk about the Packers' stunning turnaround and whether fans should be happy with a team scrapping its way into the playoffs.

Brookfield Central head football coach Jed Kennedy (26:15) talks about what made his Greater Metro Conference champion team tick, the great players he's coached in the past, recruiting and Brookfield East's Sam Santiago-Lloyd, our 2016 All-Suburban Football Player of the Year. JR and guest host Andrew Gruman talk about 10 early storylines from the high-school basketball season in Milwaukee, including parity on the boys side, the Arrowhead girls basketball team and the early days of the Steve Showalter era at Menomonee Falls.

JP chats with Steve Jones of Kimberly (19:15), a football program with four straight state championships and the longest winning streak in the country. What are the building blocks of such ridiculous success, why don't we see more prep coaches jump to college and could he replicate that success in another community? Also, the guys talk at length about the heartbreaking Big Ten Championship game for the Badgers football team.

JP and JR discuss the scenarios surrounding the Wisconsin Badgers football team and whether or not they should have a seat at the table in the College Football Playoff if they win Saturday's Big Ten Championship. Plus, the Brewers signed Eric Thames in an intriguing move (29:15). The guys also slip down a rabbit hole discussing concerts in advance of the first show they'll attend together.

JP and JR discuss the story lines to watch in the Division 1, 2 and 3 state-title football games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. JP gloats a bit over his "Level 4 Draft" conquest, and Chris McIntosh -- former Pewaukee and UW football player and NFL draft pick -- stops by to talk about all things Wisconsin Badgers, from on-field success to off-field controversies (24:10).

JP and JR discuss the newly-released Big Ten football schedule that has Wisconsin opening the season Sept. 1 -- a Friday night -- and whether or not that's a problem for the high-school game. Plus, they hold their inaugural "Level 4 Draft" to pick the best shots at a state football title and JP discusses an NHL alumni hockey event in Lake Country.

Whitefish Bay alumnus and current member of the San Francisco 49ers, Nick Bellore, chats about his increasing role in the NFL and his old football coach at Bay, the late Jim Tietjen (17:45). Also, Steven L. Tietz of Now Newspapers visits to talk about the big Menomonee Falls upset in Level 1 of the high-school football playoffs and other big matchups looming in Level 2 (5:30). JP and JR discuss the football playoffs, the lack of hometown buzz around this year's Milwaukee Bucks (37:50) and the Badgers big win over Iowa that came with the loss of defensive standout Jack Cichy (45:45).

JP and JR are talking brackets this week with the dawn of the WIAA football playoffs. Greg Brazgel of Lake Country Lutheran stops by (15:00) to talk about the unique challenges of navigating the Division 6 postseason (and what's with the No. 4 seed for an undefeated team?). The guys also discuss the Westosha Central volleyball team getting disqualified for a scheduling snafu (34:30) and the hubbub surrounding Wisconsin basketball player Nigel Hayes and his activism (40:25).

Tim Johnson of the Wausau Daily-Herald stops by to talk about struggling Wausau East's attempt to leave the Valley Football Association (19:45), a maneuver that could have repercussions throughout the state. JP also takes JR to task for his newfound Cubs support, and the guys discuss the intriguing plot lines to watch in the final week of the high-school regular season (9:00), the powerhouse Arrowhead girls golf team (37:00) and the Badgers chances against mighty Ohio State on Saturday (39:00).

JP and JR discuss Kimberly's new state record of 49 consecutive victories, achieved Friday with JP in attendance. The guys briefly discuss Michigan-Wisconsin (11:40) and rank their five favorite high-school football stadiums in their coverage area (16:25). Each week, Lake Country/Now sports director JR Radcliffe and Time Warner Cable Sports Channel's JP Cadorin chat about the Wisconsin sports scene, with an emphasis on Milwaukee-area preps. Find the podcast on Stitcher and iTunes.