Archive: Initial Reaction with JR Radcliffe and JP Cadorin MyCommunityNOW / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

JP and JR return for a one-day-only engagement on the cusp of the 2018 boys basketball tournament, with some thoughts about the forthcoming postseason. But the real fun is holding their own Selection Sunday, seeding out the top 32 teams regardless of division to set up their own bracket. Let's dance!

JP and JR bid farewell to their listeners with one last episode of Initial Reaction, then discuss the early impressions from the 2017 high-school football season. Thanks to everyone who tuned in!

JP and JR chat about the official start of the 2017 high-school football season and storylines to watch, from the individual star power of Franklin quarterback Max Alba and Catholic Memorial linebacker CJ Goetz to the dominance of Homestead, the fascinating race in the Woodland West, the impact of new Oconomowoc coach Greg Malling and the time being right for Brookfield Central. Then, the guys talk about the #Brewers trade deadline and disagree somewhat on the outlook for the remainder of 2017.

JP and JR take a look at the dilemma facing high-school baseball coaches as they try to work around pitch-count restrictions in the playoffs, with one notable case study arising from the 2017 postseason (22:25). The state tournament arrives Friday, July 21. JR also provides a list of nine names he could see as potential fits with the Milwaukee Brewers as trade season kicks into full gear (5:00).

Andrew Gruman joins JR to "draft" the best moments from the first half of the 2017 Milwaukee Brewers season, a delightful stretch that sees the team sitting at 50-41 at the All-Star Break. The guys talk about big defensive plays, big individual performances and the surprises that put them on top of the National League Central. The guys then examine the WIAA summer baseball postseason (39:30), including a story from 2008 that illustrates how an entire season outlook can shift in one random game, how the new pitch counts (and weather) will impact this year's series (42:45) and which teams are particularly intriguing (48:30). #Brewers #WIAA

In this special edition of the podcast, John Casper from the Winona Daily News and La Crosse Tribune stops by to chat about a monster series of revelations from the WIAA, including the introduction of a shot clock in basketball, the splitting of boys hockey into two divisions and the introduction of seeding into the state tourneys at basketball and wrestling. Also, the WIAA also floats a basketball plan that would change the way teams are assigned into postseason divisions -- could this be the solution to the public/private debate?