The 12 & 32 Podcast - Serving Portland's Youth Sports Community

What happens when you combine more than 100 years of Portland high school sports history with someone who is genuinely excited about its future?

You get a great conversation with John Dunn, President of the PIL Hall of Fame.

On this episode of the 12&32 Podcast, Jeff Erdman and Bill Booth sit down with John to talk about the people, memories, rivalries, championships, coaches and stories that have made Portland high school athletics so special.

John brings a unique perspective. He grew up around Portland sports, comes from a legendary Portland coaching family, played professional baseball, and has spent years connecting with athletes, coaches and the broader Portland sports community.

But this conversation isn't simply about looking backward.

John talks enthusiastically about the changing role of the PIL Hall of Fame—including preserving its incredible history, expanding its digital archives and website, telling more inductee stories, strengthening its relationship with Portland Public Schools, and finding new ways to connect today's student-athletes with the generations who came before them.

With more than 1,000 inductees and decades of stories waiting to be told, John sees an opportunity to make the Hall of Fame much more than a place that honors the past. He sees it as a living community that can connect former athletes, current student-athletes, coaches, families and fans.

And that's exactly what the 12&32 Podcast is about.

It's a thoughtful, personal and often entertaining conversation with a man who clearly loves Portland sports—and believes there is a lot to be excited about.

www.pilhalloffame.org

What is it really like to be one of the most accomplished young distance runners in the country?

In this episode of the 12&32 Podcast, we sit down with Lincoln High School's Ellery Lincoln and longtime coach Eric Dettman for a conversation that goes well beyond times, records and championships.

Ellery has competed on some of the biggest stages in high school and international track and field. But in this conversation, we get to know the person behind those accomplishments. She talks openly about her teammates, family, friendships, training, pressure, social media, being a sponsored athlete, her future at the University of Oregon and the challenge of balancing an extraordinary athletic journey with simply being a teenager.

It's a mature, honest and entertaining conversation — and a different side of Ellery than we've heard before.

Coach Eric Dettman, entering his 14th season leading Lincoln's cross country and track & field programs, takes us inside the culture that has helped make Lincoln one of Oregon's premier programs. He talks about love, respect, trust and what he calls the "respectful care of the kids" — and why developing the person has to come before developing the athlete.

Together, Ellery and Eric give us a fascinating look at the relationship between an elite athlete and her coach — and the people, teammates and community behind the accomplishments.

This is a conversation about running, but it's really about people, relationships, character, commitment and what we hope young athletes carry with them long after the records are gone.

It's one of our favorite conversations yet.

Thanks for listening to the 12&32 Podcast.

Honoring the past. Telling today's stories. Building the future

www.pilhalloffame.org

On Episode 6 of the 12&32 Podcast, we head to Grant High School for a conversation about Portland baseball, player development, coaching, leadership and what it takes to build a successful program. Hosts Jeff Erdman (12) and Bill Booth (32) sit down with Grant Head Baseball Coach Matt Kabza, who recently completed 20 years of teaching and coaching at Grant, and Jinki Tomita, the 2026 PIL Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-State selection. Matt shares the story behind Grant's highly respected baseball program, his journey from being coached by Jeff more than 20 years ago to becoming a mentor to generations of young athletes, and his philosophy on developing players and strengthening baseball throughout the Portland community. Jinki takes us inside his four-year varsity journey, the work and sacrifices behind his development as a pitcher, his favorite Grant memories, his experience as a student-athlete and choir performer, and his upcoming opportunity at Feather River Junior College in California. We also talk pitching, college baseball, dreams of playing professionally, the importance of family and coaches, and the lessons Jinki would pass on to the next generation of young players. It's a conversation about baseball—but more importantly, it's about the people, relationships and commitment that make high school sports special.

www.pilhalloffame.org

The 12&32 Show welcomes one of the most accomplished multi-sport athletes in recent Portland history, Grant High School standout Lucy Kapranos.

While many fans know Lucy for her remarkable soccer career, her athletic resume extends far beyond the pitch. A three-sport star for the Generals, Lucy excelled in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse, earning First Team All-State honors in lacrosse while helping lead Grant athletics at the highest level across multiple seasons. Her versatility, competitiveness, and leadership made her one of the premier athletes in Oregon and a role model for young athletes throughout the region.

Joining Lucy is legendary coach Manolis Tjuanakis, a builder of champions and one of the most influential figures in Portland soccer. Over three decades, Coach Tjuanakis has helped shape youth and high school soccer in Northeast Portland, developing countless players while building a culture of excellence that continues today. His coaching accomplishments include state championships with both boys and girls soccer programs, a testament to his ability to inspire, teach, and lead athletes at every level.

Together, Lucy and Coach Tjuanakis share the story behind an extraordinary athletic journey, the lessons learned through competition, and the impact that great coaching, community, and dedication can have on a young athlete's development.

From state championships and All-State honors to the future of soccer in Portland, this is a conversation celebrating excellence, leadership, and the lasting bond between athlete and coach.

Don't miss this inspiring episode of The 12&32 Show featuring Lucy Kapranos and Coach Manolis Tjuanakis

www.pilhalloffame.org

“Some athletes put up numbers.
 Some dominate games.
 And some become the heartbeat of an entire program.

Today, we sit down with one of the most explosive and respected football players to come through the Portland Interscholastic League in recent years—Geovonney ‘Geo’ Burks from Roosevelt High School in Portland, Oregon.

A two-way star.
 The PIL Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year.
 The top-rated linebacker in Oregon.
 And now, a Division I football commit headed to the University of Idaho.

But this story is bigger than football.

Geo represents discipline, family, leadership, and the next generation of student-athletes doing things the right way. At just 17 years old, he’s preparing to become one of the first in his family to attend college—part of a remarkable family story built on sacrifice, focus, and opportunity.

Known for his intensity on the field, his commitment in the classroom, and the maturity beyond his years, Geo has become the kind of athlete coaches trust, teammates follow, and younger players look up to.

Joining us today is Roosevelt Head Coach Ryan McCants—a former Oregon State Beaver and one of the coaches who witnessed Geo’s rise from a talented young athlete at a youth camp to one of the premier linebackers in the Pacific Northwest.

www.pilhalloffame.org

This week on the show, we sit down with Portland Interscholastic League Player of the Year Miles Novy-Hildesley of Lincoln High School, alongside his first-year head coach Kalin Walling—a Lincoln alum who returned home after playing and coaching at the collegiate level in California.

Miles shares his full basketball journey, from his early days in the game to the adversity that nearly derailed it all—a serious shoulder injury and surgery during his junior year. In a powerful comeback story, he opens up about the physical and mental grind of recovery, what it took to return stronger, and how that resilience helped propel him to one of the top honors in Portland high school basketball. Now, he’s taking the next step—heading to MIT to continue his academic and athletic career.

Coach Walling offers a unique perspective, reflecting on his first season leading the program and what it meant to guide a player like Miles. He also shares practical, grounded advice for parents and young athletes on developing discipline, embracing adversity, and building the kind of work ethic that sets players apart.

This episode is about perseverance, leadership, and what it really takes to turn setbacks into defining moments.

www.pilhalloffame.org

In today’s episode, Jeff and Bill sit down with standout wrestler Zorina Johnson and her father and coach, Lance Johnson, who has been guiding her on the mat since she was just four years old. Zorina capped off a remarkable high school career at Ida B. Wells High School by going undefeated and capturing three state championships in girls wrestling.

Beyond the titles, this is a story about family, dedication, and the rise of a sport that’s taking the nation by storm. Zorina shares her journey to the top, while Coach Lance offers valuable insight into why girls wrestling is now the fastest-growing sport in America.

www.pilhalloffame.org

 We are thrilled to introduce our first guests: Lily Mae Buerkle, McDaniel High School’s All-State volleyball standout, now headed to the University of Washington on scholarship — and her high school coach, Kyla Henry.

Lily Mae’s journey from McDaniel to the Huskies is a testament to her relentless work ethic, competitive spirit, and love for the game. After hearing her story, we guarantee you’ll be following her collegiate career closely as she takes the court for the Huskies.

www.pilhalloffame.org

Get to know Bill (#32) and Jeff (#12) — just two kids from Northeast Portland who shared unforgettable experiences through youth and high school sports.

Now, their legacy of giving back continues as they tell the stories that matter. Through conversations and interviews, they highlight today’s standout athletes, dedicated coaches, and thriving programs across Portland schools — celebrating the past while shining a light on the future.

www.pilhalloffame.org