Beeson Podcast: Recent Episodes
GateHouse Media
Week 6 in the books and the high school football season is heating up as teams battle for a spot in the playoffs and a run at a state title. Journal Star sportswriters Aaron Ferguson and Stan Morris share their insights heading into Week 7.
Jim Benson of the Bloomington Pantagraph, beat writer for Illinois State basketball, joins Bradley beat writer Dave Reynolds of the Journal Star sports department in a discussion of their teams and the Missouri Valley Conference as college basketball season tips off in a few weeks.
Journal Star prep sports reporters Aaron Ferguson and Stan Morris share their thoughts about Week 5 of the high school football season and what to look for headed into Week 6.
Peoria Chiefs president Rocky Vonachen joins Journal Star beat writer Dave Eminian for a recap of the 2017 season and to discuss the issue of dangerous foul balls and protecting spectators.
IHSA assistant executive director in charge of officials, Sam Knox joins prep beat writer Aaron Ferguson to discuss the officials deficit. Knox offers insight on why there's an officials shortage, what the IHSA is trying to do to recruit and retain officials. For more insight on the officials shortage, read Ferguson's package on Sunday, Sept. 24 in the Journal Star.
High school football beat writers Stan Morris and Aaron Ferguson recap games from Week 4 of the football season and highlight the key components of games. They offer their insight on what could happen in Week 5 and pick several small- and large-school games for the upcoming week.
Aaron Ferguson and Stan Morris recap the big events of Week 3 of the central Illinois prep football season, and preview Week 4 with some analysis and predictions in this week's Journal Star Sportswriters special high school football podcast.
Bart Rogers, co-owner and COO of the SPHL Peoria Rivermen, talks with Journal Star beat writer Dave Eminian about plans for the upcoming hockey season and new majority owner Bill Yuill in another Journal Star Sportswriters podcast.
Conference games begin Friday for the Mid Illini and small-school football conferences. Beat writers Stan Morris and Aaron Ferguson preview the big matchups, offer predictions and what they are watching for in week three of the football season.
The second week was a wild one, with the dramatic 70-69 overtime finish between Peoria High and Richwoods and Elmwood/Brimfield winning at Annawan/Wethersfield. Listen to what the guys had to say about the season's second slate of games.
Tune in next week on the Journal Star Sports Facebook page for a Facebook Live video and interactive podcast experience.
High school football reporters Aaron Ferguson and Stan Morris recap the first week of the high school season. The guys break down what they learned about area teams and what to watch for in week two. They also pick a few games.
Friday is opening night for high school football in Illinois, so it's time for us to kick around what's great about it -- along with the top teams and players to watch this season in the Peoria area. And if you're looking for one game to spend five bucks for a ticket, here's where you should go ...
At 28, Cody Myers lands his first head coaching position. For the Canton High School football program, which reached the IHSA Class 4A semifinals last year. In the powerful Mid-Illini Conference, with the rich traditions at Metamora and Washington. So, how's he doing? Loving it.
Peorians David and Derrick Booth discuss their Booth Basketball Academy, a free camp for kids completing its ninth year this week, as well as their successful basketball lives.
Peoria High School alum and two-time NBA champ Shaun Livingston chats with Journal Star sports writer Dave Reynolds in between sessions of the Pride of Peoria basketball camp at the high school. Livingston, who recently re-upped for three more years with the Golden State Warriors discusses the team's most recent NBA title, achieved in record fashion, the Warriors' place in history and much more.
We talk with retired Harlem Globetrotters dribbling star Curley “Boo” Johnson about his “Skills For Life” camp, Peoria’s rich basketball history and his project of vindication for the 1954 Chicago DuSable team.
Highly-touted St. Louis pitching prospect Jordan Hicks, 20, is proving his worth for the Peoria Chiefs. The Houston native is regularly slinging in the middle to upper 90s and recently topped 100 mph. He chats with Dave Eminian in this week's podcast about his growth as a pitcher and his battle with diabetes, which he calls both a blessing and a curse.
Former Bradley stars Marcellus Sommerville and Daniel Ruffin talk about their 2006 run to the NCAA Sweet 16, and getting the core of the team back together for a run at the $2 million winner-take-all prize in The Basketball Tournament. Opening rounds will be played on the Bradley campus on July 15-16, and the Always A Brave team, which reached the national semifinals last year, is ready to put on another show.
The Journal Star-area had nine state championships during the 2016-17 school year. Stan Morris, Kirk Wessler and Aaron Ferguson recap the year and discuss the talented athletes and teams and preview the inaugural 2017 Best of Preps gala, which will be held at 6 p.m. on June 26 at the Peoria Civic Center. Get your tickets in advance at pjstar.com/bestofpreps
Bradley assistant men's basketball coaches Mike Bargen and Drew Adams discuss recruiting and other aspects of their jobs as well as the progress the Braves have made since they came to the Hilltop with head coach Brian Wardle two years ago.
Do you keep a scorecard at baseball games? For Nathan Baliva, voice of the Peoria Chiefs and Chris Mehring, voice of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, it's more than just a job, it's a passion — some might say, obsession —they've developed over decades. Each has created a unique style of colorful shorthand, code words and chicken scratches — likely indecipherable by the average fan — that tell the story of the game.