EP 67: Friday Night Ice & Powder Blues feat. YHH’s Tony Scott!

Section Playoff season is almost here! The TC Game Time Podcast is back talking prep hockey and hoops, including a guest appearance from Tony Scott of the Youth Hockey Hub!

Before Tony joins the show to talk hockey, Matt, Logan, and Bill break down a busy week in high school hoops (3:12), starting with the first “Game Time Deep Dive,” as they take a deeper examination into Bloomington-Jefferson Boys Basketball, who have struggled this year despite featuring the top junior in the State, electric guard Daniel Freitag. Also discussed is Park Center’s unbeaten run to start the year, Mahtomedi’s winning streak in Class 3A, and the possibility of two of the top teams in the State meeting in a Section Final this year. They also discuss what they see as a two-horse race for the “Mr. Basketball” award at the season’s midpoint.

The interview with Tony Scott starts at (37:45) with topics discussed including boys & girls hockey! On the boys side of the ice, they talk Wayzata’s recent skid, a suprise omission on the NHL Central Scouting list, the possibility of a Chan vs Tonka Section Final in 2AA, and a big week in the Section 1AA seedings, among other topics. On the girls side, they discuss Owatonna’s big upset of Lakeville South, Hill-Murray’s ascent, and more.

EP 66: Metro Gerrymandering, the Boys Hoops Top-20, and Crunch Time in Hockey!

On the latest episode of the “TC Game Time Podcast,” Logan, Matt, and Bill circle up to discuss the latest in prep sports and pose big questions about where to draw the line of what defines the Twin Cities “Metro.”

Starting in boys basketball (7:42), the guys check in on the current top-20 ranked teams in the State in Class 4A just before the midpoint of the season, including breaking down the top-6 and Park Center’s surprise omission from the top spot. Also discussed are suprise teams like Cambridge-Isanti, Moorhead, Edina and risers that could break through in the top tier by the season’s end.

Moving to the ice (23:03), they discuss their on-again, off-again relationship with the Lakeville South Cougars, who recently flashed their dominance in a win over Shakopee to shake up the South Suburban race heading into the weekend. They also look at the possibility of Hastings and Mayo trying to break up the all-Lakeville party in Section 1AA, talk Rogers’ big win over Centennial in the North ‘burbs, and discuss the Section 4AA implications of this weekend’s “Hockey Day in Minnesota” matchup.

EP 65: Closing the Gap with Prep Girls Hoops’ Grant McGinnis

Before welcoming in guest Grant McGinnis of Prep Hoops Minnesota to talk about some of the standout teams and stars of girls basketball in the State, Logan, Matt, & Bill react to some of the top stories and news in boys basketball and hockey this week!

Starting with boys basketball (4:06), Logan discusses last week’s overtime win by Eastview over Lakeville North in a battle of top South Suburban teams. Also discussed is Wayzata’s dominant win over Eden Prairie, how the top of the rankings have shaken up in 4A, and a breakdown of the Mr. Basketball Watch List!

Next in boys hockey (17:23), the guys hit the ice to talk about a shakeup in the power dynamics of the South Suburban conference, and some of the top high schoolers in the State featuring on last week’s NHL Central Scouting list. Bill Hupp closes the first segment of the show with an angry uniform rant about the Mahtomedi Zephyrs.

Interview with Grant McGinnis starts at (32:53). Topics discussed include top contenders in Class 4A, including Hopkins, Wayzata, STMA Chaska, Minnetonka, and more as McGinnis dives into the far reaching corners of the State to talk about the top girls talent to watch for in the Land of 10,000 Lakes!

EP 64: Eggs on the Floor & Rivalries Galore!

On the latest episode of the pod, Logan, Matt, & Bill are back to talk some heated rivalries to get you through a bitter January in Minnesota!

Starting off the show with boys hoops, Logan previews a big matchup between #2 Lakeville North and #6 Eastview this week, as well as the development of Lakeville North big Nolan Winter, one of the top seniors in the State committed to Wisconsin (). Also discussed is a key rivalry series between Shakopee and Prior Lake (8:11), including some of the colorful history in a contentious series. Matt also brings his impressions of Wayzata after a big win on Saturday, and talks about one of the top junior hoopers in the State shining for the Trojans (12:42).

Next in boys hockey (20:36), they discuss the possibility of new blood in this year’s State Tournament after recent runs of form by Chanhassen and Stillwater and stack up the resumes of Andover and Duluth East in an interesting debate over Section seeding in 7AA.

EP 63: Storm Warning with Chanhassen Hockey’s Sean Bloomfield

The podcast returns from the holiday break as the crew are joined by Chanhassen Boys Hockey Coach Sean Bloomfield, who’s Storm squad are riding a State-best 10-game winning streak entering the New Year!

Before the 2nd year head coach joins the program, Logan, Matt, & Bill recap their winter break’s before diving into boys basketball, first taking a specific look at an intersting Lake Conference race (4:09), and where it ranks among other key leagues in the Metro.

Next, they turn to boys hockey (18:25), and discuss teams that had excellent holiday breaks, including but not limited to a terrific bounce back from reigning champs Andover after a stunning loss, and Chanhassen’s ascent since an Opening Day loss to the Huskies. Plus in “notes from the field,” they talk about one of the most talented two-sport athletes in State history lacing back up the skates.

Interview with Sean Bloomfield starts at (45:06)

EP 62: A Winter Wonderland in Boys Basketball & Hockey!

On the final episode of the pod in 2022, Logan, Matt, & Bill look ahead at some key holiday season matchups in both boys basketball and hockey!

Starting with hoops, they discuss last Saturday’s nightcap at “The Big Stage” in Osseo as No. 1 Park Center retained their crown with a victory over 2nd ranked Lakeville North (2:15) and how the Pirates’ program culture has a new look squad firing on all cylinders. Also discussed are teams out to hot starts, including Shakopee, Farmington, East Ridge, and Andover.

As they head to the ice starting at (24:17), they discuss the rotating carousel at the top of the boys hockey rankings, including who will come back in 2023 as the top ranked Class AA team in the State. They also talk about a huge rivalry matchup between St. Thomas Academy and Cretin-Derham (26:40), and Matt breaks down a Section 2AA thriller that went to overtime last week between Shakopee and Chanhassen (28:54). Logan also discusses last week’s Lakeville rivarly game (32:20).

EP 61: Early Season Press Clippings & Lakeville South Basketball’s Joe Janquart

On the latest episode of the podcast, Logan, Matt, & Bill circle up to discuss some of the early season storylines in boys basketball & hockey before welcoming in the head coach of Cougar Hoops to the program!

First heading to the hardwood, the crew discuss early suprises at the top of the 4A field, including an 0-2 start by juggernaut Wayzata (), a huge addition to Prior Lake’s lineup (), Eastview’s impressive retooling (), and a massive Saturday evening headliner between Park Center and Lakeville North this week ().

Next in hockey, they dive into Chanhassen’s win over previous No. 1 Minnetonka to send a competitive Section 2AA into chaos (), Rogers’ strong start (), and a rivalry matchup between Lakeville North and South this week ().

Interview with Joe Janquart starts at ()

EP 60: Prep Bowl Reactions and the Basketball Preview Show with the TC Hoops Czar!

On the latest episode of the podcast, Logan, Matt, and Bill close the book on the Fall sports calendar as they react to last weekend’s slate of Prep Bowl Championships, including Maple Grove’s first State Title in school history, as well as crowns claimed by Elk River, Simley, and the most exciting finish of the weekend in the 3A bowl.

Starting at (20:28), the guys preview the Girls Basketball season in Minnesota, with topics including but not limited to Hopkins retooling from last year’s undefeated squad, the depth in Section 2AAAA, Tessa Johnson’s dominance, and other Section races of note in girls 4A and 3A.

Finally the “TC Hoops Czar” joins the show to provide his insight and help preview the Boys Hoops season starting at (37:42)! His Czarness talks about preseason title favorites in 4A, sleeper teams, Mr. Basketball contenders, outstate teams of note, and the Class 3A field!

EP 59: Prep Bowl Picks, Preseason Prediction Grades, & a Boys Hockey Season Preview!

On the latest episode of the podcast, Logan, Matt, & Bill return full and well-rested to make their official predictions for this weekend’s Prep Bowls in all classes and also look back at their preseason prep football “bold predictions” to see how they did, to mixed results.

Next, they preview the Boys Hockey season starting at (25:02), with a particular focus on Class AA and teams in the Metro. Topics discussed include favorites in each of the Sections, up-and-coming teams to watch, and a few standout results from the past weekend’s Thanksgiving tournaments.

EP 58: Turkey Trotting to the Prep Bowl with KARE 11’s Craig Norkus

The TC Game Time Podcast crew is back just before Thanksgiving to preview the upcoming Prep Bowl Championships at U.S. Bank Stadium, joined by special guest Craig Norkus, the co-host of KARE 11’s Prep Preview Show!

Before Craig joins the exclusive two-time guest club, Logan, Matt, & Bill break down a matchup of unbeatens in the 6A Championship between Maple Grove and Rosemount next Friday (6:25). They also preview how an unstoppable force matches up with an immovable object as Elk River’s State-leading rushing attack faces Mankato West’s high-flying defense in an intriguing 5A title bout next Saturday (15:08). Finally, Winter sports are here so “North of the River” Bill is back to talk about some of the top teams in the Metro in the podcast’s girls hockey season outlook.

Interview with Craig Norkus starts at (34:09), including previews of the 6A, 5A, and 4A title games, a discussion of the KARE 11 All-Metro team, and a controversial debate about the merits of Thanksgiving turkey.