Sports

The Study of Sports Podcast March 13, 2026: We discuss the state basketball tournaments, the incredible run from Columbia River boys, the state placing for Evergreen girls, and more

Reporter Paul Valencia and sports administrators Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland discuss a series of subjects around the WIAA’s state basketball tournaments, plus we get into some Mariners baseball talk and NFL free agency/trade cancellations

By · March 13, 2026
The Study of Sports Podcast March 13, 2026: We discuss the state basketball tournaments, the incredible run from Columbia River boys, the state placing for Evergreen girls, and more
Local athletic directors join Paul Valencia on The Study of Sports Podcast to analyze recent tournament runs and the controversial WIAA playoff structure.
Local athletic directors join Paul Valencia on The Study of Sports Podcast to analyze recent tournament runs and the controversial WIAA playoff structure.
Local athletic directors join Paul Valencia on The Study of Sports Podcast to analyze recent tournament runs and the controversial WIAA playoff structure.

Reporter Paul Valencia and sports administrators Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland discuss a series of subjects around the WIAA’s state basketball tournaments, plus we get into some Mariners baseball talk and NFL free agency/trade cancellations

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

A “Perfect Paul” outcome for the state basketball tournaments?

That is how Tony Liberatore described it after the WIAA tournaments crowned winners without any losers.

That might sound confusing. But so, too, is the WIAA state basketball playoff format. 

And Paul Valencia is always whining about that format. This year, at least nobody won the state title after losing in the state tournament.

Plus, we salute Columbia River boys and Evergreen girls for their incredible state tournaments. 

This latest episode of the Study of Sports was recorded on Thursday, March 12.

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].


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