Podcasts
The Varsity
No one covers North Shore prep sports like we do, and we take it even further in The Varsity, where our hosts use a four-quarter format to give you the latest news, stats and scores, as well as their takes. They also chat with a special guest in have fun along the way.
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Loyola Wins Rivalry Hoops DH, Are LA and NT Top 5? — Episode 228
Loyola boys and girls hoops took it to New Trier in the teams’ annual Thanksgiving doubleheader. We talk what that means right now and the rest of the way. We also ask if the Ramblers and the Trevians are Top 10 boys teams this season. What about top 5?
Also can Loyola girls, despite losing a program great, compete for a state title again?
We also discuss the IHSA football championships delay and wonder what all the complaining was about.
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State Swimmers Step Up; Hoops Look-Ahead — Episode 227
A young New Trier swim/dive team made a splash at the state finals, racing to fourth place with a mostly underclassmen lineup. We talk who came through and what does it mean for the Trevians future. Loyola and HP left a mark too. Then, we pivot to the winter season and basketball: who’s up, who’s down and who’s got the goods?
And since football is still going on, we spend some time on our favorite moments of the quarterfinals and the best semifinal matchups this weekend.
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NT Vball, What A Run, Early Hoops Talk — Episode 226
New Trier volleyball made its third straight — but maybe their most unlikely — run to the Class 4A final eight. The junior-heavy Trevians may have been overpowered by Benet, but we look inside their 11-match winning streak that got ’em there. Plus, swimming sectional and state talk, cross country recap, and way-too-early hoops chatter.
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Week 1 and Done: Football Season Recap; Field Hockey dynasty — Episode 225
Our local teams faced stiff competition in the postseason’s opening round and couldn’t hold up. We review the defeats. Now, New Trier, Loyola and Highland Park are done for the year, and we look at what they accomplished and what’s next. We also recap another championship season for Trevians field hockey, who posted a dramatic victory to win it all.
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Playoff Primer: 3 Are In, Will Any Survive? IHSA Ranting & Tennis Champs — Episode 224
All three of our teams — New Trier, Highland Park and Loyola (by a hair!) — made the playoffs. We look at their matchups and their chances of escaping the first round. And, per usual, we gripe about the postseason selection process and how it can and should be better. Plus, Trevians tennis three-peats and we hear from their coach, Jerry Morse-Karzen.
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Uh Oh, LA Season At Risk; NT, HP Are Playoff Ready — Episode 223
Look out! Will Loyola Academy football miss the playoffs AND pay fewer than nine games for the first time in decades? We talk about Ramblers uphill climb to save their season. Then there’s New Trier and Highland Park, both of which are playoff bound and banked a big win apiece. Can the Trevians get to a sixth win? Plus, girls tennis and boys soccer chatter.
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NT Stomps Rival, Loyola Gets Stunned; And Golf Trophies — Episode 222
New Trier football earned a very satisfying victory in Evanston’s house, while Loyola was tripped up on the road. We break down the pivotal results and how both teams react in Week 8. Plus, Highland Park stayed with its winning ways and New Trier boys golf traveled all the way to state only to again compete with their biggest rival — and come out on top. Girls didn’t do so bad either!
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HP Controls CSL North, LA Rolls; Trevs Need Bounceback — Episode 221
Highland Park’s makes a CSL North statement with rout of reigning champs, Loyola takes care of its business — are Ramblers getting better each week? But the Trevians stumble and need to rebound and quick. Can they best their biggest rival for the first time in three seasons? We talk it out and give our Week 7 predictions, as well as talk state golf with New Trier golfers’ big sectional performances.
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New Trier, Loyola, HP Get Right in Week 5; Big Tests Loom — Episode 220
Winning cures what ails you, as all three of ours teams found out last Friday night. In this Victory Pod, I (Joe w/o Michal) recap decisive third wins by the Trevians, Ramblers and Giants. Looking ahead, New Trier and Highland Park have tall tasks with league powers coming to town in Week 6.
(Editor’s Note: Highland Park plays at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Wolters Field, not Friday as described in the episode.)
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Week 4 Troubles, How to Get Right — Episode 219
We love a victory pod, so I guess his must be a defeat pod. All three of our squads (New Trier, Loyola, Highland Park) ran into Week-4 troubles, and we break down where it all went wrong, while also spending plenty of time on where it can turn around in Week 5 — with all three teams having good opportunities to vent their frustrations on the field.