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 paul.v@clarkcountytoday.com.
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: paul.v@clarkcountytoday.com.
Also read:
- Camas’ Keirra Thompson named Miss Washington — state’s top senior basketball player
Camas senior Keirra Thompson earns Miss Washington, capping a stellar career. - Calling it ‘Baseballism,’ organizers hosting 24 high school baseball teams in Clark CountyBaseballism tournament brings 24 high school teams to Clark County turf fields for a multi-site showcase of talent
- The Study of Sports Podcast, March 14, 2025: A recap of state basketball, and a discussion on the formats of Washington tournamentsA new episode of The Study of Sports Podcast dives into Washington state basketball tournament formats, celebrating standout teams and players, and sharing insights from Spring Training.
- State basketball: Columbia River shines to take fourth place: Camas ends up sixthColumbia River secures fourth place, and Camas ties for sixth in the Washington state high school basketball championships
- High school girls basketball: Camas coach Scott Thompson’s resignation becomes official
Camas girls basketball coach Scott Thompson officially steps down after leading the team to multiple state tournaments, including a 2024 championship.
