EP 84: Graduation Shenanigans & Section Title Chases feat. Shakopee Lacrosse’s Sean Pollock

Before welcoming in the head coach of Shakopee Boys Lacrosse to talk about their terrific season and forthcoming matchup with Chanhassen in the Section Title game, Matt & Logan get back together to discuss the exciting summer playoff races in high school sports. They discuss some news & notes, including an interesting rules violation that nearly barred a student-athlete from the State Tournament and one of the top basketbal recruits in the State making their college committment.

Starting at (12:36), they break down the upcoming Seciton Finals this week in boys & girls lacrosse before previewing the Class 4A Softball Tournament field and standout players to watch for at (29:19).

Interview with Sean Pollock starts at (40:18).

EP 83: Zephyrus Sends a Westward Win Through the Metro

On the latest episode of the podcast, Matt Dean and Bill Hupp get together to break down a race for the State’s all-time goals scoring record between Joey Stolpestad of TriMac and Linus Toward of Shakopee in boys lacrosse!

They also discuss an impressive showing by Mahtomedi boys lax to close out the regular season, Lakeville South Girls Lacrosse’s 29-game winning streak, and preview the upcoming Section playoffs in both boys & girls!

Also discussed are the teams left standing in the Class 4A Softball field starting at (19:52) and the guys discuss high school mascots and Forest Lake standout Matt Wallner shining in the Big Leagues for the Twins in their “notes from the field” (25:29).

EP 82: Set, Spike, Serve with the Star Tribune’s Jim Paulsen!

Matt, Logan, and Bill are back together for the latest edition of the pod, first talking news & notes from around the high school sports landscape, including a record-breaking performance at Rosemount High School, rule changes, and huge matchups in the season’s final week in boys & girls lacrosse.

Starting at (31:50), they welcome in Star Tribune sportswriter Jim Paulsen for his semi-annual appearance, to talk about last week’s announcement of boys volleyball’s approval as an MSHSL sport! Paulsen talks about the growth in the game and how the plan will roll out leading up to the 2024/25 school year.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

EP 81: Spring Cleaning with Prior Lake Girls Lacrosse’s Heather Pierson!

Before welcoming in this week’s guest, a two-time State champion head coach at Prior Lake, Matt and Logan are back with a fresh outlook on the Spring! They talk news & notes in prep sports in Minnesota, including a recent approval to officially sanction boys volleyball as an MSHSL sport, suprise teams in the boys lacrosse season this Spring, and a dominant run by the Rosemount Irish in pursuit of an undefeated softball campaign, led by the the “Miss Softball” favorite!

Interview with Prior Lake Girls Lacrosse Coach Heather Pierson starts at (32:00). Topics discussed include Pierson building a championship culture and managing expections at Prior Lake, this year’s terrific squad depth, as well as rule changes and trends in the girls game.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

EP 080: Chopping It Up W/ Eden Prairie Assistant AD & Gopher Legend Trevor Mbakwe

Matt and Bill are away, so Logan takes over with a conversation with current Eden Prairie Assistant AD and Gopher legend Trevor Mbakwe. They discuss his pro career over seas, finding a passion in high school sports administration, coaching through controversy, and how he would hold up on the floor with current EP hoopsters!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

EP 79: Back to the Minors with East Ridge Baseball Head Coach Brian Sprout

On the latest episode of the pod, the podcast crew welcome in guest Brian Sprout, the head coach of the No. 2 ranked East Ridge Raptors to talk about one of the hottest baseball teams in Minnesota!

Before their conversation with Coach Sprout, Matt & Bill first discuss some news & notes from the prep landscape, including the doing away of the Gold-Maroon system in 6A football next year, a recent Division 1 committment from a local standout, and some key results from boys lacrosse in the past week.

The interview with Brian Sprout begins at (26:38): Topics include the Raptors’ collection of future Division 1 talent, the East Metro’s strong baseball tradition, and some of Sprout’s experiences playing in the minor leagues, including stints with the St. Paul Saints and drawing a walk against Hall-of-Famer Pedro Martinez.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

EP 78: Around the World with the Down the Alley Lacrosse Pod

On the latest episode of the TC Game Time podcast, they guys are thinking Spring as they return to talk a little baseball before diving into their lacrosse preview show with P-Mac and Katie, two of the hosts of the “Down the Alley” Podcast and coaches in the Prior Lake boys & girls programs!

They first discuss some first week observations and the growth of lacrosse before discussing early season baseball storylines (8:29), including the preseason top-10 and standout future Division 1 players in a loaded Suburban East conference featuring heavyweights East Ridge, Mounds View, and Stillwater.

The interview with “Down the Alley” starts at (22:25), previewing each Section in the State beginning with the boys field at (26:46); topics discussed in boys include the likelihood of a Benilde vs Prior Lake rematch, dark horses and favorites in each Section, and a Mr. Lacrosse watch list. The girls preview starts at (45:43) and includes a breakdown of signficant coaching changes from the top-2 teams in the State and favorites in each Section.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

EP 77: Wrapping our Heads Around Section Realignment

On their final episode before the start of Spring sports, Matt and Logan get together to talk about the implications of last week’s Section realignments announced by the State High School League!

Before starting Section talk, they hit on some news & notes, including one of the State’s top prep recruits moving to California for his senior year & Tessa Johnson, STMA standout and future South Carolina Gamecock, being named Miss Basketball last week.

The Section conversation starts at (14:00), mostly focusing on implications to winter sports including boys basketball (15:00), girls basketball (22:40), and hockey (29:49).

EP 76: Hey Now, You’re an All-Star with STMA’s Kent Hamre

While waiting for the bitter winter to thaw out, the gang are back for a special episode with Kent Hamre, the 18th year head coach of St. Michael-Albertville Girls Basketball!

They welcome in the State Championship winning coach to talk about his team’s recent title, coaching presumptive Miss Basketball favorite and All-American Tessa Johnson, and preview this Saturday’s upcoming MGBCA All-Star Series streaming on Game Time.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

EP 75: Title Game Rematches & Stars Shining at the State Basketball Tourney, feat. Prep Hoops’ Jared Martinson

The crew are back, this time joined by Prep Hoops Content Creator & Maple Grove Assistant Coach Jared Martinson, to break down last week’s thrilling State Boys Basketball Tourney!

They start by diving into Wayzata’s thrilling run to their second State Championship in three years (5:40), including the iconic shot of the tournament by Hayden Tibbits in the Semis and junior Jackson McAndrew’s complete takeover of the title game in the extra period. They break down standout stars and discuss all eight teams in the large school division!

Moving to Class 3A at (26:30), they discuss the Totino-Grace dynasty and how Ohio State commit Taison Chatman brought his best to the big stage after an up-and-down senior season due to injury. They also talk about a bright future on the hardwood in Alexandria and Nasir Whitlock’s herculean efforts for runner-up’s DeLaSalle.

In Class 2A (35:30), they talk about Minneaha Academy’s suprise upset over favorites Holy Family before talking about Albany eventually taking home the title. Class A Champs Russell-Tyler-Ruthon are also discussed at (44:40), before the guys make their predictions for the “Mr. Basketball” award announcement.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download