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!

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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.

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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)

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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).

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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 ()

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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!

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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.

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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.

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EP 57: Take it to the Bank! State Football Semis Preview & State Volleyball Recap

Logan and Matt are back to first preview a pair of State Football Semifinals in 6A pitting Lakeville South against Maple Grove and Rosemount against Eden Prairie this weekend in Minneapolis (3:02)!

Also discussed are games of note in the other classes of football (17:56), including a come-from-behind winner for Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton in 3A and a suprising upset of St. Thomas Academy in a 5A tournament shake up.

Logan also shares his notes from the State Volleyball Tournament last week in St. Paul (21:30), including a dominant run by Wayzata to claim their third straight title with strong showings from the Swenson sisters and head coach Scott Jackson’s blue jean game.

Finally, they talk the start of the girls hockey season in the South Suburban Conference (27:15) and share their “notes from the field” about a famous race horse from Savage.

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EP 56: Poignant Predictions with Star Tribune’s Jim Paulsen!

It’s State Tourney week for prep football and volleyball! On the 56th episode of the podcast, Matt, Logan, and Bill welcome in third-time guest Jim Paulsen, a prep sportswriter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune! Before Jim joins the show, the guys catch you up on the 6A football playoff 2nd round, including but not limited to Stillwater going to the ground for an impressive rout of Lakeville North (7:39), East Ridge upending Prior Lake in the suprise of the week (15:50), and a compelling rematch between Eden Prairie and Shakopee on Thursday after convincing wins by the Sabers and Eagles to get back to State (21:27). They also talk about 5A State Tourney predictions as heavyweights St. Thomas Academy, Mankato West, and Elk River all get set for an exciting field of eight!

Interview with Jim Paulsen starts at (23:59). First discussed is storylines in State Volleyball at “the X” this week. Football conversation starts at (41:32), including in-person impressions of potential Mr. Football Carson Hansen, and Paulsen’s predictions for this week’s quarterfinals in 6A and 5A!

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