Episode 31 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Thursday, April 12, 2018.

Our guest is Mundelein baseball coach Randy Lerner.

First we ask Lerner about how the bad spring weather is impacting the start of the baseball season (2:00-2:30). Joe then asks Randy about replacing legendary Mustangs coach Todd Parola and putting his own stamp on the program (3:30-8:30). Parola retired after the 2017 season with over 600 wins. Randy inherited a good team with a Division 1 pitcher in Steven Sanchez. We discuss what makes Sanchez one of the state’s best pitchers and what type of pro prospect he is for the upcoming MLB draft (8:30-16:00). Jon then asks about Randy about the current game of high school baseball and if any changes need to be made to speed the game up (16:30-22:00)

Our Headline of the Week is the recent college signing period for 2018 grads. Several Lake County athletes signed with colleges, including Libertyville basketball star Drew Peterson and Lake Zurich girls hoops player McKenna Zobel (26:30-31:00).

In our Extra Point segment, Jon shares a humorous story about a recent experience coaching small kids in lacrosse (31:00–34:00). And Joe apologizes on behalf of all newspapers for misspelling the names of high school athletes (35:00-39:30).

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

Episode 30 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Wednesday, April 4, 2018.

Our guest is Libertyville basketball senior Drew Peterson. Peterson is the Daily Herald and Pioneer Press Player of the Year.

First we ask Peterson about any latest news in his recruiting process. Peterson remains uncommitted (2:00-5:00). Loyola is one of the teams to offer Peterson early. Has he heard from Sister Jean? (5:00-6:30). Jon asks Peterson about the Villanova style of basketball and if it’s a style he’d like to play in college (6:30-9:00). Joe then asks Peterson about his daily schedule now that high school basketball season is over. It remains busy (9:00-11:30). Peterson then recalls the Wildcats great regional final win over Conant and how that game will not be soon forgotten (11:45-14:00). Joe then wants to know when Peterson commits, how will he announce his decision? (14:00-15:00). Finally, Peterson talks about a couple of basketball all-star events he will be a part of in the month of April (15:00-19:00).

Our Headline of the Week is Jalen Brunson. The former Stevenson star just won his second national championship with the Villanova Wildcats. What’s next for Brunson? What type of NBA player will he be? We also discuss his continued presence around Stevenson and Lake County.(25:30-36:30)

In our Extra Point segment, Jon talks about a recent article he did for the Tribune on abuse of youth hockey officials and gives advice on how to best treat referees and umpires this spring sports season. Hint: with civility (36:45-38:30). And Joe searches for ideas on how baseball can survive the brutalities of early spring weather and makes the case for lacrosse as a favored spring sport in the Midwest (39:00-42:30).

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

Episode 29 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Thursday, March 8, 2018.

Our guest is Lake Zurich senior guard Ryan Kutsor. The Bears play Barrington in the sectional final at home Friday, March 9.

First we ask Ryan about the buzz around campus for the big game Friday (1:30-2:30). Next we talk about the match up vs Barrington and how the Bears are approaching the Broncos (1:30-6:00). Next Jon asks about Ryan’s relationship with junior guard JR Cisson and how Cisson was destined to transfer into Lake Zurich this season (6:00-9:30). Joe asks Ryan about the return of Kenny Haynes and his impact on the team (9:30-12:15). Next Jon asks Ryan about how his experience playing on the 2015-16 sectional final team informed him as a leader this season (12:30-17:00).

Our Headline of the Week is the new football coach hire at Carmel Catholic. Who is Blake Annen and can he turn around the Corsairs program? (20:20-28:45)

In our Extra Point segment, a recent conversation with an AAU coach got Jon thinking about the quality of basketball in Lake County then and now. (29:00-32:00). And as winter rolls into summer, baseball is on Joe’s mind (36:20-39:30).

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

Episode 29 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Thursday, March 8, 2018.

Our guest is Lake Zurich senior guard Ryan Kutsor. The Bears play Barrington in the sectional final at home Friday, March 9.

First we ask Ryan about the buzz around campus for the big game Friday (1:30-2:30). Next we talk about the match up vs Barrington and how the Bears are approaching the Broncos (1:30-6:00). Next Jon asks about Ryan’s relationship with junior guard JR Cisson and how Cisson was destined to transfer into Lake Zurich this season (6:00-9:30). Joe asks Ryan about the return of Kenny Haynes and his impact on the team (9:30-12:15). Next Jon asks Ryan about how his experience playing on the 2015-16 sectional final team informed him as a leader this season (12:30-17:00).

Our Headline of the Week is the new football coach hire at Carmel Catholic. Who is Blake Annen and can he turn around the Corsairs program? (20:20-28:45)

In our Extra Point segment, a recent conversation with an AAU coach got Jon thinking about the quality of basketball in Lake County then and now. (29:00-32:00). And as winter rolls into summer, baseball is on Joe’s mind (36:20-39:30).

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

Episode 28 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Thursday, March 1, 2018.

We talk boys basketball postseason as we break down regional final Friday in Illinois.

First we break down regional finals involving Lake County teams in the Class 4A Fremd Sectional. Lake Zurich, Libertyville and Stevenson are all still alive and in position to win regional titles. Who has the best chance to break through? (3:30-20:45)

Next we go through the Class 3A bracket. Carmel, Antioch, Wauconda and North Chicago all playing in regional finals Friday. Who will emerge and get to the sectional round? (21:00-29:00)

Our Headline of the Week is girls hoops postseason. We put a bow on a great season for Lake Zurich and Carmel (29:00-36:30)

In our Extra Point segment, Jon is not happy with how student sections are being treated in the basketball postseason (36:45-39:00). And Joe gives a thoughtful essay about appreciating life and loved ones during challenging times (39:30-42:30)

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

Episode 28 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Thursday, March 1, 2018.

We talk boys basketball postseason as we break down regional final Friday in Illinois.

First we break down regional finals involving Lake County teams in the Class 4A Fremd Sectional. Lake Zurich, Libertyville and Stevenson are all still alive and in position to win regional titles. Who has the best chance to break through? (3:30-20:45)

Next we go through the Class 3A bracket. Carmel, Antioch, Wauconda and North Chicago all playing in regional finals Friday. Who will emerge and get to the sectional round? (21:00-29:00)

Our Headline of the Week is girls hoops postseason. We put a bow on a great season for Lake Zurich and Carmel (29:00-36:30)

In our Extra Point segment, Jon is not happy with how student sections are being treated in the basketball postseason (36:45-39:00). And Joe gives a thoughtful essay about appreciating life and loved ones during challenging times (39:30-42:30)

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

Episode 27 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald.

Recorded on Friday February 23, 2018.

We talk girls hoops with the head coach of the Carmel Catholic Corsairs, Ben Berg.

The Corsairs are a Illinois Class 3A sectional champion after beating conference rival St. Viator in the sectional final Feb. 22. 

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

Episode 27 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald.

Recorded on Friday February 23, 2018.

We talk girls hoops with the head coach of the Carmel Catholic Corsairs, Ben Berg.

The Corsairs are a Illinois Class 3A sectional champion after beating conference rival St. Viator in the sectional final Feb. 22. 

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

Episode 26 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Friday February 156, 2018.

We talk officiating with long time Illinois basketball referee Jerry Ming.

First we talk to Jerry about he sees as a crisis in the vocation of officiating (3:00-6:00). There are not enough refs to keep up with demand. Why is this happening? (6:30-9:00). Jerry shares his ideas on how to fix the problem (9:00-14:00). Joe asks Jerry what the toughest call is for a basketball referee to make (14:00-20:30). Finally, Jerry reveals the best part of being a referee (20:30-25:00).

Our Headline of the Week is girls hoops postseason. How are Lake County teams doing in the regional rounds? (28:30-33:00)

In our Extra Point segment, Jon says state governments should stay away from policing youth football (33:30-36:00). And Joe gives a special tribute to fallen Lake County coach (36:00-38:30).

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

Episode 26 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Friday February 156, 2018.

We talk officiating with long time Illinois basketball referee Jerry Ming.

First we talk to Jerry about he sees as a crisis in the vocation of officiating (3:00-6:00). There are not enough refs to keep up with demand. Why is this happening? (6:30-9:00). Jerry shares his ideas on how to fix the problem (9:00-14:00). Joe asks Jerry what the toughest call is for a basketball referee to make (14:00-20:30). Finally, Jerry reveals the best part of being a referee (20:30-25:00).

Our Headline of the Week is girls hoops postseason. How are Lake County teams doing in the regional rounds? (28:30-33:00)

In our Extra Point segment, Jon says state governments should stay away from policing youth football (33:30-36:00). And Joe gives a special tribute to fallen Lake County coach (36:00-38:30).

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