Extra Prep: Recent Episodes
Champaign Multimedia Group
The prep sports writers and broadcasters from the News-Gazette and NewsTalk 1400 & 93.9 and Lite Rock 97.5 deliver game broadcasts, interviews, and insight into high school athletics in the Champaign-Urbana area and east central Illinois.
Rantoul football players DJ Davis, Emarion White and Andrew Owen — with coach Brett Trefren — chat with Joey Wright and Zach Piatt after the program's first victory in nearly six years.
Joey Wright and Tim Turner share the call as Centennial and Champaign Central face off at Tommy Stewart Field.
Joey Wright and Loren Tate call the action between the St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans and the Monticello Sages during week 1 of The News-Gazette and Lite Rock 97.5 High School Football Game of the Week.
Salt Fork football players Kam Keller, Grant Wilson and Carter Chambliss sit down with Joey Wright and Zach Piatt to preview the upcoming high school sports season.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels talk with Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond football players Easton Frederick, Colin Smith and Ryan Appleby ahead of the 2024 season.
Joey Wright and Zach Piatt chat with Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley football players Cohen Kean, Austin Kasper, Brayden Elliott, Matt Allen and Ryker Grauer and coach Chad Augspurger ahead of the 2024 season.
Joey Wright and Zach Piatt chat with Monticello football players Mason High, Ike Young and Carter Foran along with coach Cully Welter ahead of the 2024 high school football season.
Joey Wright and Zach Piatt chat with Peter Samu, Toby Kreps and Reid Craddock as St. Thomas More Sabers enters the season ranked No. 10 in The News-Gazette's preseason rankings.
Joey Wright and Zach Piatt chat with Macie Russell, who earned The News-Gazette's 2023-24 Female Athlete of the Year award after excelling in basketball, cross-country, softball, track and volleyball for Salt Fork. Macie's father and Salt Fork girls' basketball coach, Brian Russell, joins the program as well.
Joey Wright and Zach Piatt chat with Centennial wrestler and football player Jack Barnhart, who earned The News-Gazette's 2023-24 Male Athlete of the Year award after earning all-area and all-state honors on the football field and going 44-0 with an IHSA Class 2A state title on the mat. Jack's father, Justin, joins the program as well.
Joey Wright and Zach Piatt chat with Centennial wrestler and football player Jack Barnhart, who earned The News-Gazette's 2023-24 Male Athlete of the Year award after earning all-area and all-state honors on the football field and going 44-0 with an IHSA Class 2A state title on the mat. Jack's father, Justin, joins the program as well.
Joey Wright and Zach Piatt chat with Salt Fork boys' track and field athletes Brysen Vasquez, Evan Webb and Ty Smoot along with coach Phil Surprenant.
Joey Wright chats with St. Joseph-Ogden wrestlers Holden Brazelton, Emmitt Holt and Coy Hayes, each of whom qualified for the IHSA Class 2A state finals.
Relive the action Joey Wright and Jason Liggett score the action as Champaign Central hosts Centennial in a boys' basketball game at Combes Gym. This is the debut of WDWS Sports Extra, our new online streaming platform for high school hoops.
Joey Wright and Zach Piatt chat with Unity boys' basketball players Andrew and Henry Thomas after the Rockets' hot start to the 2023-24 season.
Joey Wright and Zach Piatt chat with Tuscola boys' cross-country runners Xander Neamtu and Blake McLeese ahead of the 2023 IHSA postseason. The Warriors claimed a Class 1A sectional title and will run at the IHSA state meet on Nov. 4.
Joey Wright and Al Craig score the second half of an Illini Prairie Conference battle between Unity and Monticello on Oct. 20, 2023. This is the second half of the Lite Rock 97.5 radio broadcast.
Joey Wright and Al Craig score the first half of an Illini Prairie Conference battle between Unity and Monticello on Oct. 20, 2023. This is the first half of the Lite Rock 97.5 radio broadcast.
Joey Wright and Zach Piatt chat with Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond football coach Ryan Jefferson and players Jayce Parsons, Maddix Stirrett and Nathan Tighe after the Knights' hot start to the 2023 IHSA football season.
Joey Wright and Matt Schrock call the action as Arcola hosts Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond in the Golden Horseshoe rivalry at Thomas-Bradford Field. This is the second half of the Lite Rock 97.5 audio broadcast.
Joey Wright and Matt Schrock call the action as Arcola hosts Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond in the Golden Horseshoe rivalry at Thomas-Bradford Field. This is the first half of the Lite Rock 97.5 audio broadcast.
Joey Wright and LeConte Nix score the action as Champaign Central hosts Danville in the Lite Rock 97.5 Game of the Week. This is the second half of the Lite Rock 97.5 radio broadcast.
Joey Wright and LeConte Nix score the action as Champaign Central hosts Danville in the Lite Rock 97.5 Game of the Week. This is the first half of the Lite Rock 97.5 radio broadcast.
Joey Wright and Zach Piatt chat with Mahomet-Seymour football coach Nathan Watson and players Peace Bumba, Brody Cuppernell and Robbie Vavrik after the Sabers' 6-0 start to the 2023 regular season.
Joey Wright and Zach Piatt chat with Mahomet-Seymour football coach Jon Adkins and players Brock VanDeveer and Trey Peters to get the latest on the Bulldogs' quest for another Apollo Conference title.
Joey Wright and Mike Orton score the action as Mahomet-Seymour hosts Mt. Zion in a game with major Apollo Conference implications. This is the second half of the Lite Rock 97.5 radio broadcast.
Joey Wright and Mike Orton score the action as Mahomet-Seymour hosts Mt. Zion in a game with major Apollo Conference implications. This is the first half of the Lite Rock 97.5 radio broadcast.
Joey Wright and Zach Piatt talk with offensive lineman from Mahomet-Seymour, Oakwood and Paxton-Buckley-Loda ahead of the sixth week of the IHSA football season.
Joey Wright and Zach Piatt catch up with St. Joseph-Ogden boys' cross-country runners Aden Armstrong and Carson Maroon and head coach Jason Retz following a strong start to the 2023 season.
Joey Wright and guest analyst Dave Dutton score the action as Urbana hosts Champaign Central with the Wright Street Trophy on the line. This is the second half of the Lite Rock 97.5 radio broadcast.
Joey Wright and guest analyst Dave Dutton score the action as Urbana hosts Champaign Central with the Wright Street Trophy on the line. This is the first half of the Lite Rock 97.5 radio broadcast.
Joey Wright and LeConte Nix call the second half of Centennial and Champaign Central's tilt at Tommy Stewart Field.
Joey Wright and LeConte Nix call the action as Centennial and Champaign Central square off at Tommy Stewart Field. This is the first half of the Lite Rock 97.5 radio broadcast.
Joey Wright and Zach Piatt chat with St. Thomas More volleyball players Addie Kerr, Julia Johnson and Shannon Monahan as well as coach Brad Dalton after the Sabers' 8-3 start to the 2023 campaign.
Joey Wright, Matt Daniels and Zach Piatt chat with players and coaches from Champaign Central and Centennial ahead of the programs' annual rivalry battle at Tommy Stewart Field on Sept. 15.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels chat with Mahomet-Seymour boys' golf standouts Reis Claybrooke and Leif Olson as the Bulldogs eye a deep run in the IHSA postseason.
Joey Wright and Asher Bradd score the second half of action as Monticello hosts interstate opponent St. Louis Confluence Prep.
Joey Wright and Asher Bradd score the first half of action as Monticello hosts interstate opponent St. Louis Confluence Prep.
Joey Wright and Ken Reifsteck score the action as Unity hosts rival St. Joseph-Ogden on Sept. 1, 2023 at Hicks Field. This is the second half of the Lite Rock 97.5 radio broadcast.
Joey Wright and Ken Reifsteck score the action as Unity hosts rival St. Joseph-Ogden on Sept. 1, 2023 at Hicks Field. This is the first half of the Lite Rock 97.5 radio broadcast.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels chat with Unity girls' cross-country runners Olivia Shike, Reagen Stringer and Erica Woodard and coach Kara Leaman as the Rockets prepare to open the 2023 season and chase their third-straight IHSA Class 1A state championship.
Joey Wright and Jeff Primmer call the second half of St. Joseph-Ogden and Monticello football on Aug. 25, 2023.
Listen to Joey Wright and Jeff Primmer's call of St. Joseph-Ogden and Monticello football on Aug. 25, 2023.
Joey Wright and Colin Likas visit with Le Roy softball coach Doug Hageman and the entire Panthers roster as the program enters the IHSA Class 1A state finals with a 32-6 record and a chance at its first-ever state championship.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels chat with Urbana High School Athletic Director Steve Waller and administrative assistant Tyler Laing. A top priority for Urbana in 2023-24 is fielding a varsity football team, something it hasn't done for a full season since the 2019 IHSA football campaign.
Joey Wright and Colin Likas chat with Salt Fork's Garrett Taylor and Tuscola's Ella Boyer – and their parents – after the pair were named The News-Gazette's 2022-23 male and female athletes of the year.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels talk with Champaign Central baseball coach John Staab and players Mitchell Crompton and Owen Hobbs after the Maroons' 15-4 start to the 2023 season and before a week that features two games against rival Centennial.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels chat with St. Joseph-Ogden baseball after the Spartans' 19-4 start to the 2023 season. Featuring head coach Josh Haley and players Luke Landrus, Adam Price and Braxton Waller.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels talk with Champaign Central boys' tennis players Ezra Bernhard and Elliot Gulley and head coach Scott Davis ahead of the Maroons' match with cross-town rival Centennial scheduled for April 20, 2023.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels chat with Centennial varsity girls' soccer coach Thair Al-Saqri, junior varsity coach Lindsay Aikman and players Payton Kaiser and Yameli Salinas ahead of a Champaign-Urbana soccer doubleheader that will take place at Demirjian Park.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels talk with Rantoul track and field head coach Nick Cole and athletes Brianna Dixon, Aiden Pacunas and Preston Seals ahead of a boys' invitational that the Eagles will host on April 8.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels visit Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin High School to chat with baseball coach Mark Dodd, players Karson Stevenson and Owen Miller and assistant coach Michael Grant. 2016 Bismarck-Henning graduate Dylan Dodd – Mark's son – is expected to make his MLB debut for the Atlanta Braves against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 4, 2023.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels stop by Unity High School to chat with head coach Aimee Davis and players Ashyln Miller, Reece Sarver and Ruby Tarr after the Rockets' 5-1 start to the 2023 season.
Joey Wright and Colin Likas chat with Tuscola boys' basketball head coach Justin Bozarth and the entire Warriors roster ahead of the program's first appearance in the IHSA state finals since 1989.
Tuscola boys basketball head coach Justin Bozarth joined SportsTalk on WDWS to discuss his team's upcoming appearance in the Class 1A state championship at the State Farm Center in Champaign.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels visit The High School of St. Thomas More to catch up with the Sabers' girls' basketball team ahead of the Class 1A state finals at CEFCU Arena in Normal. Head coach Erin Quarnstrom gives a brief interview before every player on the roster answers a randomized series of three questions.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels welcome Nolan Miller, Tim Norcross and Aidan Williams to The News-Gazette studio as several Maroons prepare to compete in the IHSA state meet in Westmont.
Joey Wright, Matt Daniels and Colin Likas break down all four classes of the IHSA boys' basketball playoffs and predict who will advance to the state finals at State Farm Center from March 9-11.
Joey Wright and Mattt Daniels visit Mahomet-Seymour High School to chat with girls' basketball players Durbin Thomas and Savannah Orgeron and head coach Garret Risley as the Bulldogs prepare for the IHSA postseason.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels visit Tolono to chat with Unity wrestlers Hunter Eastin, Nick Nosler and Kyus Root as well as Rockets head coach Logan Patton ahead of the IHSA wrestling postseason.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels visit Salt Fork High School for a chat with boys' basketball players Blake Hettsmanberger, Blake Norton and Garrett Taylor and head coach Andrew Johnson, as well as girls' basketball players Karlie Cain, Alexa Jamison and Macie Russell and head coach Brian Russell.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels visit Centennial High School for a visit with boys' basketball players Gurmane Springfield and Sathvik Thatikonda and head coach Tim Lavin as the Chargers ready for a busy second half of the season.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels chat with Champaign Central boys' basketball players Chris Bush, Chris Chen and Axel Baldwin ahead of the Maroons' cross-town battle with Centennial at Coleman Carrodine Gym on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels chat with Tuscola girls' basketball head coach Tim Kohlbecker and senior players Izzy Wilcox, Harley Woodard and Ella Boyer after the Warriors' 18-0 start to the 2022-23 season.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels visit Monticello High School, where senior forwards Will Ross and Drew Sheppard are key pieces of head coach Kevin Roy's program. All three join the program for a conversation on all things Sages basketball, plus a look at more from around the area.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels chat with Mahomet-Seymour wrestlers Mateo Casillas, Caden Hatten, Brendan Houser and head coach Rob Ledin as the accomplished program ventures into another season of high expectations.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels talk with Tuscola boys' basketball head coach Justin Bozarth and players Colton Musgrave and Jordan Quinn after the Warriors' fast start to the 2022-23 season.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels talk with St. Joseph-Ogden boys' basketball players Ty Pence, Logan Smith and Tanner Jacob plus head coach Kiel Duval ahead of the Spartans' season.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels chat with Unity football as head coach Scott Hamilton and players Dylan Moore and Taylor Warfel prepare for a class 3A semifinal tilt with Williamsville.
Joey Wright and Colin Likas sit down with Unity Girls' Cross-Country after the Rockets captured a convincing victory in the Class 1A state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria. Rockets juniors Olivia Shike and Erica Woodard, sophomore Emily Decker and head coach Kara Leaman join the program for an interview.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels chat with St. Thomas More football players Peace Bumba, Ben Horn and Robbie Vavrik as well as strength coach Mark Ambrose ahead of the Sabers' second-round playoff game at Decatur Lutheran.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels sit down with Tuscola football players Jordan Quinn, Jordan Sanchez and John Claxon and Warriors head coach Andy Romine as the program readies for its first home playoff game since 2019.
It's the News Gazette and Lite Rock 97.5 High School Game of the Week as the Unity Rockets face off against the Monticello Sages.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels sit down with Mahomet-Seymour volleyball standouts Libby Bodine, Caylee Folken and Avery Allen to break down the Bulldogs' 25-3 start and what to expect as the playoffs approach. Recorded on October 19, 2022.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels sit down with Champaign Central senior Wade Schacht, who captured an IHSA 2A boys' golf state championship last week to claim the Maroons' first individual boys' golf title since 1925. He is joined by Maroons head coach Mike Osterbur.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels catch up with Champaign Central volleyball standouts Meg Rossow, Ella Price and Cricket Wagner as the Maroons (14-6, 8-0) hunt down a Big 12 Conference regular season title.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels sit down with Paxton-Buckley-Loda seniors O'Quinn Gerdes, Kayden Snelling and Kendall Swanson ahead of the Panthers' home game against Prairie Central in a grapple for Illini Prairie Conference supremacy.
PBL head coach Josh Pritchard also joins the program, plus the latest from around the area preps sports scene.
Joey Wright and Colin Likas call the conclusion of the Big 12 matchup and a 7-0 Chargers win.
The Centennial Chargers and the Danville Vikings due battle in a defense struggle. Joey Wright and Colin Likas have the call.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels sit down with Champaign Central football head coach Tim Turner, senior defensive back KJ Phillips, sophomore quarterback George Rouse and sophomore linebacker Brock Vandeveer to discuss the Maroons' upcoming tilt with Wheaton St. Francis at McKinley Field, plus where the team feels it is at near the halfway point of the season.
It's the second half of the News-Gazette & Lite Rock 97.5 High School Football Game of the Week between Champaign Centennial and Champaign Central.
It's the first half of the News-Gazette & Lite Rock 97.5 High School Football Game of the Week between Champaign Centennial and Champaign Central.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels chat with Centennial seniors Jemir Hall, Braylen Lewis and Jordan Griggs ahead of the Chargers' big rivalry matchup with Champaign Central. Originally recorded on September 14, 2022.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels chat with Centennial seniors Jemir Hall, Braylen Lewis and Jordan Griggs ahead of the Chargers' big rivalry matchup with Champaign Central. Originally recorded on September 14, 2022.
Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond faces Villa Grove in the News Gazette and Lite Rock 97.5 High School Game of the Week.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels chat with Urbana High School soccer seniors Jackson Gilbert, William Arana and Jack Lusakembi along with first-year head coach Miki Kowalski. Plus a preview of the upcoming week in high school football. Originally recorded on…
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels post up at St. Joseph-Ogden High School to catch up with St. Joseph-Ogden football after the Spartans' season-opening 21-14 win over Monticello. Featuring an interview with quarterback Logan Smith, running back Alex Funk and wide…
Tuscola faces Arcola in the News Gazette and Lite Rock 97.5 High School Game of the Week.
Joey Wright and Matt Daniels set up shop at Mahomet-Seymour High School to chat about all things Bulldog football. Featuring an in-depth discussion with head coach Jon Adkins and senior standouts Wyatt Bohm and Nick Golden. Recorded on 8-25-22.
Fresh off capturing a Super-Sectional title, St. Joseph-Ogden girls' basketball coach Kevin Taylor discusses with Scott Beatty preparation for this weekend's semifinals and possible place in the IHSA Class 2A state championship game in Bloomington.
Evan Conn and Tim Ditman have the call as St. Thomas More takes on Rantoul High School in boy's basketball.
Join Michael Kiser and Tim Ditman as they call the Champaign Central vs. Urbana High School boys basketball game.
It's Central vs.Centennial - with all the drama you'd expect! Michael Kiser and Tim Ditman have the call. Bryson Cowper's three-quarter court buzzer beater is 44:45 into the podcast. Postgame interviews with Cowper and Tim Lavin are 1:30:00 into the…
Scott Beatty and Evan Conn call the action as the Champaign Central Maroons host the Normal West Wildcats in Big 12 Conference play.
Illinois Radio Network's Prep Report features the High School of St. Thomas More volleball team, reigning state champions, and head coach Stan Bergman.
Central vs. Centennial in boys basketball from the 1992-1993 season. Dave Loane has the call.
About to begin his 11th season as head coach, Keith Pogue previews the season for the Bulldogs, who are hungry for a much deeper run in the playoffs.
Lekevie Johnson is starting his fourth season as Centennial High School's head football coach. He joined Scott Beatty to preview the season that begins on Friday.
Shawn Skinner joins SportsTalk ahead of his third season leading the St. Joseph Ogden Spartans, who are hungry to return to the postseason after missing out last year.
Scott Hamilton is on the cusp of his 25th season as Unity High School's head football coach. He joined Scott Beatty and Matt Daniels on "SportsTalk" to reflect and preview the 2018 campaign.
Tim Turner has spent 12 years with the Central Maroons football program, but this season is his first as head coach. While familiarity certainly helps, he tells Scott Beatty there's more that makes it an easier transition than what most…
Nathan Watson is beginning his second year at the helm for St. Thomas More football. He joined Scott Beatty on SportsTalk to preview the 2018 season.
Second-year Rantoul football head coach Tom Hess previews the 2018 season with Scott Beatty on SportsTalk
Jason Goch of the Illinois Radio Network catches up with the state champion Danville Schlarman girl's basketball team.
The St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans take on the Rantoul Eagles in High School Basketball on WDWS.
Nate Albaugh, former head football coach at Champaign Central High School, discusses his new role as head football coach and more at Judah Christian School. The school plans to launch both football and wrestling programs for the 2018-19 school year.
Champaign Central High School and Bloomington High School face off in men's basketball.
The Illinois Radio Network's Jason Goch goes one-on-one with Mike Allen, head coach of the state champion GCMS football team.
Jeff Finke stopped by SportsTalk on Thursday, live on location at Scotty's Brewhouse. He discussed the start of the season and a challenging schedule.
Verdell Jones just started his second season at the helm of the Urbana Tigers. He talks about the season's start against some tough competition and his vision for year two.
Brett Frerichs joined Scott Beatty and Loren Tate live in studio to preview the Rantoul boys basketball season.
Jason Goch of the Illinois Radio Network goes one-on-one with the state champion St. Thomas More volleyball team.
Matt Reed gives Scott Beatty a preview of the 2017-2018 Unity boys basketball season. The Rockets make the jump this season to Class 3A.
Two years removed from a Class 2A state championship in boys basketball, Brian Brooks previews the 2017-2018 season for the St. Joseh-Ogden Spartans.
Scott Beatty visits with Matt Kelley about the upcoming season for boys basketball at the High School of St. Thomas More.
Chad Benedict heads the Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs boys' basketball squad and previews the 2017-2018 season.
Scott Beatty talks with retired St. Thomas More football coach Dan Hennessey, who was honored at Friday night's game vs. Rantoul.
Fowler Connell talks to Tim and Michael at halftime of the Central-Danville game on 9-4-17.
Champaign Central High School takes on Danville High School in Friday night football on 9-1-17.
Lekevie Johnson begins his third season as coach of the Centennial Chargers. He previews the 2017 season on SportsTalk.
The Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs begin their 2017 season Friday night. Head coach Keith Pogue visits on SportsTalk.
After several seasons in charge at Urbana High School, Nathan Watson enters his first year at the helm of the High School of St. Thomas More's football team.
Ahead of his beginning his second season leading St. Joseph-Ogden's football team, Shawn Skinner previews the 2017 campaign on SportsTalk.
Ordell Walker inherits an Urbana program that has won only one game in each of the last three seasons. He talks on SportsTalk about how he wants to turn it around.
Scott Hamilton, head football coach of the Unity Rockets, is argubaly the most successful area coach. He begins his 24th season with Unity next week.
Champaign Central High School head football coach Nate Albaugh previews the Maroons' season on SportsTalk.