Sports

The Study of Sports Podcast, Feb 21, 2025: Big changes for Mat Classic, and the thrill of playoff basketball

Paul Valencia and local sports administrators discuss the new name for their podcast, changes to Mat Classic, and the excitement of high school playoff basketball.

By · February 21, 2025
The Study of Sports Podcast, Feb 21, 2025: Big changes for Mat Classic, and the thrill of playoff basketball
Paul Valencia and local sports administrators discuss the new name for their podcast, changes to Mat Classic, and the excitement of high school playoff basketball.
Paul Valencia and local sports administrators discuss the new name for their podcast, changes to Mat Classic, and the excitement of high school playoff basketball.


Reporter Paul Valencia and sports administrators Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland talk about a new name for the podcast, as well as changes to Mat Classic, and the excitement surrounding playoff basketball

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

We’ve never loved our name for the podcast. We were trying to come up with something when we launched this labor of love, never found anything, and just went generic.

Well, how’s this?

The Study of Sports.

This is, after all, a talk about local high school sports, with administrators representing the two largest school districts in the region. We don’t just talk about the highlights of sports, but we take you behind the scenes of making the sports happen, from the perspective of administrators. 

So we’re trying this out for now, but we are open to suggestions. The Study of Sports? The Study of Sports with Paul and the Admins? Or something else? Got an idea? Email me at [email protected]. 

This week, we talk about the changes to Mat Classic, and the thrill of playoff basketball. We talk about a great rivalry in girls basketball. We salute Fort Vancouver boys basketball for making it to state, but the reporter also has some questions regarding the way Fort was reclassified this school year.

Oh, and we thank the Eagles for making the world a better place for not having to live with a Chiefs three-peat.

Our podcast format is simple: A longtime sports reporter (Paul Valencia) discusses high school sports, and more, with longtime sports administrators and former coaches. Cale Piland is the former head football coach at Evergreen and Union and is now the athletic director for Evergreen Public Schools. Tony Liberatore is a former assistant coach and athletic director at Columbia River and is now an associate principal at Fort Vancouver. 

We’re always interested in subject ideas for a future podcast. Email us a subject idea.

Send us your thoughts at: [email protected].


Related Coverage

The Study of Sports Podcast Sept. 17, 2026: The sports enthusiasts talk about the new football schedule in the 4A GSHL, some outdoor volleyball, and more in this episode
More Podcast coverageSports

The Study of Sports Podcast Sept. 17, 2026: The sports enthusiasts talk about the new football schedule in the 4A GSHL, some outdoor volleyball, and more in this episode

September 17, 2026
High school football: Tupua brothers say Evergreen coaches have given them tools for life
More Sports coverageSports

High school football: Tupua brothers say Evergreen coaches have given them tools for life

September 26, 2026
Raptors look back on strong 2026 and ahead to 2027 and beyond in Ridgefield
More Sports coverageSports

Raptors look back on strong 2026 and ahead to 2027 and beyond in Ridgefield

September 25, 2026
High school football: Odd schedule leads to early start to league play in 4A GSHL
More Sports coverageSports

High school football: Odd schedule leads to early start to league play in 4A GSHL

September 19, 2026

Comments

Loading comments…