Episode 66 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Monday, March 18, 2019.

Our guest is former NBA player and coach Rick Brunson. Rick is the father of Jalen Brunson, former Stevenson boys basketball star and current NBA player with the Dallas Mavericks.

First we talk to Rick about watching Jalen play in the NBA (2:00). Next we ask Rick why Jalen was drafted in the second round (3:15) and the unique experience of watching him as a father and as a coach (4:30). Rick shares the most valuable basketball lesson he taught Jalen during his time at Stevenson (7:00). Jon wants to know when Rick knew Jalen could be special and if that changed how he parented his son (12:00). Rick had a long NBA career and played for a lot of coaches. Who were the best and why (15:00). Next Rick tells stories of his nomadic pro basketball career and how he imparted those lessons on to Jalen (16:30) and why the Brunson family is still so close with the Stevenson community (26:30). Rick is very candid in discussing his 2015 acquittal for sexual assault (29:00) and how the incident changed the trajectory of his son’s college career (32:40). Joe asks Rick about the secret to Pat Ambrose’s success as a coach (35:30) and we wrap up the interview with Rick talking about today’s image-conscious NBA and how Jalen is very savvy about branding (43:00).

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

Episode 65 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Monday, March 11, 2019.

Our guest is Stevenson senior boys basketball player Luke Chieng.

First we talk to Luke about the Patriots preparations for their Class 4A Supersectional game against Evanston on Tuesday, March 12 (1:30). Next Joe asks Luke about being the lone senior on a roster filled with juniors (3:00) and why this year's team has jelled so well (4:15). Jon wants to know about the intellectual side of the game and asks Luke how understanding his role gives him and his teammate's an edge in every game (6:40). Luke is also a high achieving student. He tells us what qualities he likes in his teachers and how those qualities compare to his basketball coaches (13:00). Finally, we ask Luke who is the team's funniest player (16:00). 

In our Headline of the Week, is Pat Ambrose the best high class coach in the state of Illinois? Jon and Joe debate (26:15).

In our Extra Point segment, Jon and Joe give their perspective on this year's postseason in boys and girls hoops (36:00).

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

Episode 64 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Monday, March 4, 2019.

Our guest is Waukegan senior boys basketball player Bryant Brown.

First we talk to Bryant about the Bulldogs Class 4A sectional game against Fremd at Waukegan’s home gym, the Dog Pound (2:00). Next Joe asks Bryant about him reaching the 2000-point milestone. Bryant is one of only six Lake County players to make the 2000-point club (4:00). Jon wants to know which player in that group Bryant identifies with the most (6:50). We then talk about the ups and downs of Bryant’s career at Waukegan and how motivated he is to take the Bulldogs far in 2018-19 (9:00). Next we talk about Bryant’s recruiting as he remains uncommitted. He gives an update on what colleges he is talking to (11:00). Finally, we ask Bryant about the team’s regional title celebration video posted on Twitter (13:45).

In our Headline of the Week, four Lake County teams are still alive in the sectional rounds. Jon and Joe break down the chances for Waukegan, Stevenson, Deerfield and Carmel (23:30).

In our Extra Point segment, Jon and Joe discuss the bizarre Stevenson football coaching situation and what’s next for the Patriots program (34:30).

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

Episode 63 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Monday, February 25, 2019.

On today's show, Jon and Joe again talk postseason hoops in Lake County.

First, we start with the lone remaining girls team still alive in Lake County. Can the Lake Forest Scouts beat the mighty Maine West Warriors in the Class 4A Supersectional? (2:15) Then Jon and Joe shift to the boys where they preview the Class 4A Waukegan Sectional and break down every regional matchup (14:30). What is Carmel's chances in Class 3A? (35:00).

In our Extra Point segment Jon and Joe debate coaches strategies when it comes to senior night (42:00).

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

Episode 62 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Friday, February 15, 2019.

On today's show, Jon and Joe talk postseason hoops and football hires.

First, the conversation is on girls hoops and the regional final. Jon and Joe were both at Vernon Hills to watch Libertyville win its second regional title in three years (1:30). The Wildcats face North Suburban Conference rival Lake Forest in the sectional semis. What team as the edge? Jon and Joe break it down (5:30). The boys postseason seedings are out. Jon and Joe react (20:15).

In our Headline of the Week, Jon and Joe discuss recent football hires at Stevenson and Mundelein (31:45).

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

Episode 61 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Friday, February 8, 2019.

Our guest is Libertyville girls basketball coach Greg Pedersen.

The Wildcats are North Suburban Conference regular season champs. We first we talk to Greg about what makes this season’s team so special (1:30) and how this group is winning without a star player (3:15). How did the Wildcats learn they were conference champs? (6:00) Next we talk to Greg about program culture. He is a golf coach in the fall, and Greg shares his philosophy on multi-sports participation (8:10) and if coaches should take a differing approach when coaching girls or boys (11:20). Greg is an English teacher during the day. What skills does he take from the classroom to the gymnasium? (13:30) Why he encourages his students and athletes to learn how to read and write at a high level (18:30). Finally, we ask Greg’s opinion about a shot clock in girls basketball (21:15).

For the Headline of the Week, Jon and Joe debate the upcoming postseason in area girls hoops. What Lake County teams are most likely to win a regional? (32:00)

In our Extra Point, Jon and Joe discuss how reporters do their jobs in the face of tragic circumstances One such circumstance happened to one Lake County boys basketball coach this week (43:30).

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

Episode 60 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Wednesday, February 6, 2019.

Our guest is Antioch senior offensive lineman Dylan Czerlanis.

February 6 is National Signing Day across the country for high school football players. Dylan signed a letter-of-intent with Eastern Illinois University. We start the conversation by asking Dylan about the events of the day (1:00). When an adolescent and young teenager, Dylan lost both his parents. Joe asks Dylan about the tragedy of having his parents die as a young man and how he has found the strength to carry forward (1:50). Dylan is being raised by an aunt and uncle and he shares how impactful they have been in his life story (4:00) and how the Antioch football family and community also play a huge role in his journey to National Signing Day (6:00). Dylan didn’t play football as a kid. How he developed his mind body into becoming a college football is a remarkable story (8:45). Finally, Dylan shares why he chose Eastern Illinois University and why he finds program culture equal to that of Antioch (11:00).

In our Headline of the Week, Jon and Joe discuss other Lake County football player signing with colleges on #NSD19 (24:00).

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

Episode 59 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

Our guest is Stevenson boys basketball coach Pat Ambrose.

We start the conversation by asking Pat about this year’s Patriots and their quest for a conference title (1:30) and if he’s surprised by how well his team has played thus far in 2018-19 (2:45). Joe wants to know how Coach Ambrose can win so consistently with teams of differing skill sets (3:50). During the day, Pat is a social studies teacher. How does that job inform him as a basketball coach? (6:30) Next the conversation transitions to the Jalen Brunson years. What are Pat’s top of mind moments from that era and what is his relationship like now with Jalen? (11:30). Finally, we end the interview with a question about Pat coaching sons Matt and Evan this season (16:15).

In our Headline of the Week, Jon and Joe discuss the state of the North Suburban Conference boys and girls races (25:40).

And in our Extra Point segment, Jon and Joe ask where are the student cheering sections this season? It’s been a quiet year at gymnasiums throughout Lake County (32:00).

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

Episode 58 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Friday, January 25, 2019.

Our guest is Grayslake North boys basketball player Ryan Connolly.

We start the conversation by asking Ryan about him eclipsing the 1,000-point mark for his career and news on the college recruiting front (2:30). Ryan is junior and Jon asks Ryan about feedback he might be getting from college coaches (5:15). Joe then ask Ryan to share a story about him dunking over Grayslake North teammate AJ Fish (6:30) and Jon wants to know how much of an influence Ryan’s older brother James had on his basketball career (9:00). Who is the GOAT, LeBron James or Michael Jordan? The guys debate (12:45). Finally, Ryan explains his philosophy on dunking the basketball (16:00).

In our Headline of the Week, Jon and Joe discuss the Northern Lake County Conference boys season thus far (28:30) and the rise of Stevenson in the North Suburban Conference (32:30).

And in our Extra Point segment, Jon gives his opinion on transfers how they are impacting one conference race (30:30) and Joe is suffering from tournament burn out this basketball season (44:00).

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

Episode 57 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Wednesday, January 16, 2019.

Our guest is Carmel Catholic boys basketball coach Zack Ryan.

We start the conversation by asking Zack about the state of the Corsairs at the midway point of the season (1:30). Joe then asks Zack about Carmel’s challenging road schedule and developing chemistry at a private school when players are from so many different communities (3:45). Next we switch to the subject of transfers. Zack shares his philosophy on taking transfer students (7:00). Zack is in his fifth season at Carmel and Joe asks Zack about a building program and the importance of mentors in the coaching profession (10:00). Finally, we ask Zack his opinion on a shot clock in boys high school basketball (19:00).

In our Headline of the Week, Jon and Joe discuss the potential repercussions of an injury to a key player in the North Suburban Conference girls basketball race (27:00).

And in our Extra Point segment, a recent interview with a Lake Zurich boys basketball player reminded Jon of a symptom all writer’s face (30:30) and a column Joe is working provides perspective on the impact coaches can have even after they are gone (37:20)

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