Episode 56 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Monday, January 14, 2018.

Our guest is Lake Forest girls basketball coach Kyle Wilhelm.

We start the conversation by asking Kyle about reasons for why the Scouts won 16 of their first 20 games this season (1:30). Joe then asks Kyle about the importance of role players on a team with a star in Halle Douglass (2:30). Joe follows up by asking Kyle his opinion about the overall level of play in girls basketball in Lake County in 2018-19 (4:30). Jon asks Kyle about taking over a one win program in 2011 and building it from the ground up (7:15) and what makes Douglass the North Suburban Conference’s best player (13:00). Finally, we talk to Kyle about his Mundelein upbringing and coming from a wide family tree of coaches (20:30).

In our Headline of the Week, Jon and Joe discuss the state of girls basketball at the midpoint of the 2018-19 season (30:00).

And in our Extra Point segment, one sight from Jon’s winter vacation to Mexico leaves him nostalgic (37:30) and Joe vents about a recent shrieking social media star (42:15).

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 55 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Wednesday, December 19, 2018.

Our guest is Lake Zurich and North Dakota State linebacker Luke Dwyer.

December 19 is National Signing Day for high school football seniors. We start the conversation by asking Luke about his college commitment to the North Dakota State Bison (1:30). We then ask Luke if the recent coaching change at NDSU impacted his decision (3:00). Joe wants to know about Bryan Sanborn, the Bears sophomore linebacker who already has an offer from Wisconsin (8:00). Jon asks Luke for any advice he’d give to his 14 year old self about the college recruiting process (10:45).

In our Headline of the Week, Jon and Joe pros and cons of the stunning passing of the IHSA football referendum that eliminates conferences beginning with the 2021 season (23:00).

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 54 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

Our guest is long time Stevenson High School coach Paul ‘Swanee’ Swan. He is in his 50th season as a coach in 2018-19.

We start the conversation by asking Swanee if kids are different today than they were when he started coaching (3:00). He says building relationships are keys to motivating kids (5:00). Jon wants to know Swanee’s secrets to being a successful assistant coach and working with so many different personalities over the years (7:00). Joe asks about dealing with parents in today’s culture and specifically one parent of a famous Lake County boys basketball player who played at Stevenson (10:00). Swanee then reveals his one thing all high school athletes and coaches can take to heart in finding happiness (14:00). He shares memories of the Jalen Brunson years (18:30) and we close the interview with Swanee sharing the moment in his life when he knew he was born to be a coach (22:30).

In our Headline of the Week, Joe offers highlights of the first month of the boys basketball season (27:30). And in our Extra Point segment, Jon lauds the importance of recent milestones reached by several Lake County basketball coaches (32:30) and Joe has a clearly stated request for area basketball referees (37:00).

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 53 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

Our guest is Co-Owner/President of All In Athletics, Matt Truding.

We start the conversation by asking Matt about AAU and its role in the sport of basketball (1:30) the right age players should consider AAU (3:00) and time/expenses involved (4:30). Jon asks Matt about specialization and when kids should focus on just basketball (6:00) and the relationship between AAU and high school coaches (10:00). Joe wants to know how AAU can help players develop specific basketball skills (12:30). We close our conversation with Matt asking his opinion of a shot clock in high school basketball (15:00).

In our Headline of the Week, Joe offers highlights of the first month of the girls basketball season (32:00). And in our Extra Point segment, Jon has advice for football coaches interviewing for high profile openings (36:30) and Joe sets the record straight on why certain Lake County communities don’t get coverage in the Daily Herald (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 52 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Wednesday, November 28, 2018.

In this episode Jon and Joe preview the girls and boys basketball seasons in Lake County.

Jon and Joe reveal their get-off-the-couch must-see players (2:00) the Billy Hoyle (ode to character in the film ‘White Man Can’t Jump’) unsung players (22:00) and one rule change they would make to Illinois basketball right now (36:00). Get in the mood for hoops with Jon and Joe!

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 51 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Wednesday, November 21, 2018.

Our guest is former Stevenson head football coach Josh Hjorth.

We start the conversation by asking Josh why he stepped down after just two seasons as Patriots coach (3:00). Next we ask Josh about the demands of being a head coach at a high class school such as Stevenson (4:30). Josh then talks about the challenges of balancing family and work and being mindful and present while wearing many different hats (6:30). Jon then wants to know how much time coaches put in helping their players with college recruiting (13:45). Joe asks about the importance of a feeder program in building a program (17:30) and Jon asks Josh about what advice he’d give to any coach applying for the Stevenson job (19:30).

Jon and Joe then discuss the interview with Hjorth and what Stevenson may do next with the head coach hire (26:00).

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 50 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Wednesday, November 7, 2018.

Our guest is Warren senior football player Zack Pelland.

We start by asking Zack about the Blue Devils upcoming quarterfinal playoff game against Brother Rice and vibe on campus before the big game (1:30) Next Joe asks Zack about his college recruiting and what schools are in the mix (3:00). Jon wants to know how Zack plays his position on the defensive line and secrets to his technique (4:00). Joe next asks Zack about the strengths of the Warren offense and how the unit gets overlooked (6:30). The conversation then shifts to the Brother Rice game and stopping Crusaders quarterback Johnny Bean (14:30). The conversation closes with Jon asking how Zack keeps his beard so well groomed (16:15).

In our Headline of the Week, Jon and Joe discuss the other Lake County team still alive in the postseason, Antioch (25:30) The Sequoits face Notre Dame in the Class 6A quarterfinals. And Joe has news on a Stevenson football player’s college commitment (30:30)

In our Extra Point segment, Jon gives the three things he would change about Illinois high school football if he were elected governor (34:30) and Joe talks about lessons learned on the thrill and agony of sports from the recent Lakes-Antioch playoff game (43:50)

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

Our guest is Antioch senior football player Eli Vanderwagen.

We get right into conversation about the Sequoits huge second round playoff match up with Lakes on November 3 (2:00). Eli talks about the strength of the Antioch defense and how it matches up against Lakes (4:00). Eli is an outdoorsman and loves to fish. He shares a story about the one that got away (9:00). We switch back to football and Eli talks about slowing down Lakes’ best offensive player, D’Lo Hardy (12:30) and gives us his favorite story about Antioch head coach Brian Glashagel (17:30).

In our Headline of the Week, Jon and Joe break down the other playoff games involving Lake County teams, Warren and Lake Zurich (27:00).

In our Extra Point segment, Jon identifies the true hero in the recent Maryland football controversy (32:30) and Joe gives praise to Lake County football programs with long playoff streaks (39:30).

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 3 of Lake Forest Scouts Sports Talk with the Voice of the Scouts, Connor Clark and ScoutsFootball.com Publisher Jon Kerr!

We preview the Scouts' first round playoff match up against Phillips Academy. Listen to Connor and Jon break everything down.

Episode 48 of Lake County Sports Talk with Jon Kerr of Tribune Media and Joe Aguilar of Daily Herald. Recorded on Wednesday, October 24, 2018.

Our guest is Lakes senior football player DeAngelo Hardy. First we ask DeAngelo about the creation of his nickname, D’Lo (2:00). Next we talk to D’Lo about this year’s Lakes team as they prepare for the playoffs (3:00) and how the Eagles use him on offense and defense (3:30). What about recruiting? Hardy gives us an update on what schools he’s talking to and his own college selection process (4:00). Joe then asks about Hardy’s Lakes teammates and what players have made the most impact during this playoff run (11:30). D’Lo is a track sprinter in the spring. Jon wants to know how being a sprinter helps him on the football field (16:30).

In our Headline of the Week, Jon and Joe break down most intriguing first round playoff games in the North Suburban and Northern Lake County Conferences (26:00).

In our Extra Point segment, Jon gives pros and cons of proposal that would change football playoff format (35:30) and Joe says we should cherish the single game format of the postseason (41:20).

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.