HoopWise from New England Basketball Journal

Nobles Girls Coach Alex Gallagher

Ethan Fuller interviews Alex Gallagher, the head coach and athletic director at Noble and Greenough School. They discuss Gallagher's extensive experience in coaching, his achievements with Nobles’ girls basketball team, and the importance of culture, teamwork and character-building in sports. Gallagher reflects on the evolution of NEPSAC girls basketball, the increasing competitiveness, and the importance of maintaining a focus on the well-being and development of student-athletes. The episode also highlights specific players and programs that exemplify the high standards and growth within NEPSAC.
 
Topics
01:27 Interview with Alex Gallagher: Background and Achievements
02:54 Coaching Philosophy and Team Dynamics
06:25 Challenges and Growth in NEPSAC Basketball
11:08 Building Team Culture and Values
18:31 Inspiration and Learning as a Coach
24:53 Evolution of NEPSAC Girls Basketball
28:19 Coaching Stars and Rising Talent
28:58 Depth of Talent in NEPSAC
32:19 Honoring Great Players and Coaches
33:43 Challenges and Growth in NEPSAC
40:51 Future of NEPSAC and High School Basketball
48:15 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

Cheshire Academy’s Jim McCarthy

Cheshire Academy coach Jim McCarthy joins hosts Ethan Fuller and Steve Hewitt. Coach McCarthy reflects on the season's successful start and the challenges of the competitive Class AA league. He discusses the importance of team chemistry, the style of play, and key players such as John Spinoso, Justin Brown and Aidan McGuire. The conversation also covers coaching philosophies, the evolution of basketball toward positionless play, and memories from McCarthy's extensive college coaching experience. A segment of true/false questions on basketball trends, led by producer David Yas, rounds out the episode. Enjoy an in-depth look at the strategies and dynamics fueling Cheshire Academy's standout season.
 
Topics
00:42 Interview with Coach Jim McCarthy
01:01 Reflecting on the Season's Start
02:11 Team Dynamics and Style of Play
12:41 Player Highlights and Contributions
19:40 Challenges and Adjustments
26:11 Reflecting on the Importance of Film in Coaching
26:52 Memories and Lessons from College Coaching
28:13 Transition to High School Coaching
30:46 Challenges and Competitiveness in Class AA
33:48 Impact of Early Season Success on the Program
37:23 Full-Court Press: True or False Predictions
46:45 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook

Recapping the 2025 NEPSAC season at winter break

Ethan Fuller and Steve Hewitt discuss the top prep basketball teams, players and surprising developments across different classes and leagues as the 2025 calendar year comes to a close. Key topics include standout performances, emerging talents and intriguing championship races in both boys and girls basketball. Looking ahead to 2026, the hosts are excited for potential marquee matchups and key player commitments.
Topics
00:27 Holiday Reflections and Winter Challenges
01:36 Prep Basketball Season Overview
02:47 AAA Boys Basketball Highlights
07:51 AAA Girls Basketball Highlights
12:17 AA Boys Basketball Insights
21:25 AA Girls Basketball Insights
24:26 Class A Boys Basketball Overview
25:15 Nobles' Strong Start and Key Players
26:15 Phillips Andover's Impressive Performance
28:04 Milton Academy and Other Contenders
29:40 Class A Girls Basketball Insights
32:32 Class B Boys Basketball Highlights
36:58 Class B Girls Basketball Highlights
39:56 Breakout Players to Watch
44:32 Reflecting on 2025 Highlights
47:45 Looking Forward to 2026

MIAA Boys Season Preview

Ethan Fuller and Steve Hewitt provide a comprehensive preview of the 2025-26 high school basketball season in New England. The episode covers top teams, including Central Catholic, Beverly and Bridgewater-Raynham, as well as sleeper teams and standout players to watch. The hosts discuss changes within key programs, potential breakout stars, and significant matchups, such as the Commonwealth Motors Classic. Additionally, they touch on statewide coverage expansions and provide updates on new contributors covering various states. The episode concludes with a trivia showdown featuring NCAA tournament schools and their nicknames.
Topics
00:47 Recap of Last Season and Excitement for the New Season
01:44 Changes and New Faces in MIAA Boys Basketball
03:12 Expanding Coverage Across New England
03:51 Introducing New Writers and Coverage Plans
08:46 MIAA Season Preview: Top Teams and Players to Watch
28:34 Lowell's Reloading Strategy
28:58 Top 10 Teams Breakdown
29:16 Burlington's Rising Stars
31:03 Springfield Central's Talent Pool
33:27 Newton North's New Era
34:18 Winchester's Key Players
35:23 Conference Highlights
36:25 Sleeper Teams to Watch
41:08 Promising Players to Follow
45:49 NCAA Tournament Trivia
50:23 Final Thoughts and Season Excitement

MIAA Girls Season Preview

Ethan Fuller and guest host Trevor Hass provide an in-depth preview of the upcoming basketball season in New England. They discuss top teams and players to watch in the MIAA across all divisions, share their all-time favorite players that they've covered, and reflect on memorable state championship games. The episode also includes fun trivia about basketball in movies and TV. Tune in for a comprehensive look at the basketball scene in New England, complete with rankings and expert analysis.
Topics01:04 Viral Moment Recap: What's Up, Trevor?03:06 MIAA Girls Basketball Season Preview05:04 Top Teams and Players to Watch10:35 Division 1 Contenders17:29 Division 2 Powerhouses23:06 Division 3 Breakdown27:14 Division 4 and 5 Highlights28:27 Spotlight on Top Players29:25 Patriot League Excitement30:02 Shoutouts to Standout Players31:36 Team Rankings Breakdown33:39 Reflecting on All-Time Greats43:16 Full-Court Press Trivia48:13 Season Preview and Wrap-Up

Girls Prep Preview

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller preview the upcoming girls New England prep school basketball season. They reflect on their first year covering the sport and discuss the refined strategies they're bringing into year two. The episode covers in-depth analysis and championship predictions for the NEPSAC girls' teams across different classes (AAA, AA, A, B Large, B Small, and C). Additionally, the episode features a trivia showdown between the hosts to wrap things up.
 
Topics
00:26 Reflecting on the Past Year
00:55 Previewing the Girls' Basketball Season
01:33 Insights on Team and Player Development
08:31 Class AAA Teams to Watch
09:42 Tilton: The Defending Champions
15:58 New Hampton: A Strong Contender
19:30 Other Notable AAA Teams
24:13 Class AA Overview
26:53 The Overachievers
29:33 Worcester Academy's Underrated Potential
30:17 Austin Prep: Rising Contender
32:40 Class A Championship Predictions
36:54 Class B Large and Small Breakdown
42:00 Class C Championship Pick
46:18 Full Court Press Trivia Showdown
53:47 Closing Remarks and Season Excitement

Boys Prep Basketball Preview with Brad Feldman

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller are joined by Brad Feldman to delve into a comprehensive preview of NEPSAC basketball. The conversation covers key prospects, teams and potential champions across various divisions, including AAA, AA, A, B Large, B Small and C. Highlighting standout schools like Newman, St. Thomas More, Cushing and Milton Academy, the hosts and guest provide insights on players to watch, sleeper picks and breakout stars for the upcoming season. The episode is packed with detailed analysis, predictions and stories from the basketball landscape in New England.
 
Topics
00:27 Special Guest: Brad Felman
00:39 Prep Boys Preview Show
00:54 Brad's Busy Fall and Open Gyms
02:08 Local Food Recommendations
03:37 Class AAA Basketball Preview
04:17 Newman School's Dominance
07:34 St. Thomas More and Other Contenders
08:48 Darrow School's Rising Talent
09:28 Vermont Academy and Other Teams to Watch
17:01 Putnam Science Academy's Strong Start
20:17 Class AA Basketball Preview
29:58 Electric Performance and Potential
30:16 St. George's and ISL Champs Discussion
31:46 Cushing Academy's Depth and Potential
33:08 Class A Championship Contenders
44:05 Class B Large and Small Teams
51:25 Sleepers and Breakout Players
55:52 Excitement for the Upcoming Season

Needham Coach & Performance Psychologist Lindsay Miller

Steve and Ethan welcome Lindsay Miller, newly appointed head coach at Needham High School. Lindsay discusses her background as a player from Westwood High School with multiple records, her playing days at Harvard, and her coaching experiences at Harvard and Rivers. She delves into her work as a certified mental performance consultant, focusing on how she helps athletes, coaches, and teams maximize performance and manage anxiety. Lindsay shares insights on the importance of positive self-talk, mindfulness practices, and the impact of community in sports. The conversation also covers her thoughts on intentional fouling and flopping in basketball. The episode concludes with a fun segment discussing rules with producer David Yas.
 
Topics
00:27 Introducing Lindsay Miller: New Head Coach at Needham
01:38 Mental Performance Consulting Explained
04:16 Common Stressors Among Young Athletes
05:41 The Impact of Social Media on Athletes
08:19 Differences in Mental Health Between Male and Female Athletes
13:11 Mindfulness and Mental Exercises for Athletes
20:24 Lindsay Miller's Return to Coaching at Needham
24:56 Lindsay Miller's Unique Career Path
26:22 Lessons from Harvard Coach Kathy Delaney Smith
27:54 The Legacy of Kathy Delaney-Smith
30:43 Harvard's Tournament Run and Coaching Rivalries
32:11 Memorable Players and Toughest Matchups
34:12 Full Court Press: Basketball Rules and Strategies
46:36 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

MAI Sporting Director John Carroll

Ethan Fuller and Steve Hewitt sit down with John Carroll, the sporting director for basketball at Masters Academy International (MAI). The conversation delves into Carroll's role in creating a top-tier sports academy poised to be the 'IMG Academy of the North,' which is set to launch in fall 2026. They explore the vision for MAI, discuss its potential impact on the New England basketball landscape, and compare it with existing academies like IMG. Carroll shares insights into his dual roles at Newman School and MAI, and the challenges and opportunities they present. The episode also touches on Carroll's scouting experience with the WNBA's LA Sparks and his thoughts on fostering athletic excellence.
 
Topics
00:29 Introducing John Carroll and Masters Academy International
01:31 The Vision and Development of Masters Academy
02:32 Challenges and Opportunities in New England Basketball
04:59 The Impact of Masters Academy on Local Talent
15:28 Current Progress and Future Plans for MAI
17:41 Basketball Program Structure and Recruitment
29:33 Balancing Roles at Newman and Masters Academy
32:48 Reflecting on Career Transitions
33:12 Embracing New Opportunities
33:44 Exciting Roles and Experiences
34:54 Newman Basketball Team Insights
35:25 Building a Winning Culture
39:27 Challenges and Changes in Prep School Sports
41:30 Future of Prep School Athletics
45:48 Full Court Press: Basketball Icons and Moments
57:44 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

Legendary Coach Clinton Lassiter

Ethan sits down with Clinton Lassiter, the all-time winningest coach in Massachusetts high school basketball history. With co-host Steve Hewitt absent, Fuller explores Lassiter's unique approach to coaching, balancing competitive excellence with genuine care for his players, many of whom face significant personal challenges. Lassiter, who serves as the vice principal and head coach at Cathedral High School, shares his commitment to maintaining a winning culture, navigating obstacles, and providing low-cost opportunities for inner-city youth through his AAU program, the Boston Showstoppers. The discussion also touches on the growth of women's basketball, the importance of role models, and the intrinsic relationship between sports and life skills.
 
Topics
00:29 Meet Clinton Lassiter
00:51 Coach Lassiter's Fashion and Coaching Philosophy
02:40 Balancing Coaching and Personal Life
03:39 Building a Winning Culture
09:35 Challenges and Rewards of Coaching Inner City Girls
22:32 Overcoming Stereotypes and Representing Boston
30:56 The Importance of Low-Cost Opportunities in Basketball
33:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts