In the first Talking Preps podcast of the fall, staff writers Jim Paulsen and David La Vaque offer their informed looks at the teams to beat and players to watch as week one kicks off Thursday and Friday night.

But first, championship golf, lacrosse and a baseball tournament set to wrap up Thursday at Target Field get their due from the Star Tribune's Jim Paulsen and David La Vaque..

In the latest Talking Preps podcast, David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen recap top state tournament performances in track and field and softball as lacrosse and baseball championships loom in the days ahead.

In the latest Talking Preps podcast, David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen don't come close to exhausting the debate about shot clocks, seeding state basketball, and adding more classes to some sports. Oh, and it's state tourney time for softball, tennis and track.

In the latest Talking Preps podcast, David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen foreshadow Monday's high school league meeting where added classes in four sports, implementing a shot clock and seeding big-school basketball are on the agenda.

In the latest Talking Preps podcast, David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen talk coach ouster transparency, a boys' volleyball first, girls' and boys' lacrosse and golf to admire, the first boys' tennis teams reaching state, and a former football metro player of the year set to coach basketball.

In the latest Talking Preps podcast, David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen recount a rite of spring -- mentors on the move -- along with an eligibility issue, a squeeze on officials, state records, and camaraderie on display at the True Team track state meet.

In the latest Talking Preps podcast, David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen highlight Hopkins speedster Joe Fahnbulleh's excellent spring, note a lack of top girls' basketball recruits picking Minnesota and catch up on two high-profile coaching changes.

A new 4x100 state mark, a new career leader in softball hits. In the latest Talking Preps podcast, David La Vaque and Jim Paulsen highlight other top performers and talk club softball in Minneapolis, college hockey recruiting at young ages, and a football signing ceremony for eighth-graders.

In the latest Talking Preps podcast, the Star Tribune's Jim Paulsen and David La Vaque share their views, set up a premier track meet on Friday and wade into baseball, softball, boys' volleyball and adapted bowling.