HoopWise from New England Basketball Journal

NEPSAC boys quarterfinals: Initial reaction

Steve Hewitt joins Ethan Fuller with takeaways from the quarterfinal round of the NEPSAC boys basketball playoffs on Wednesday, March 4.

NEPSAC girls quarterfinals: Initial reaction

Ethan Fuller joins Steve Hewitt with takeaways from the quarterfinal round of the NEPSAC girls basketball playoffs on Wednesday, March 4.

NEPSAC girls playoffs: Brackets, teams and analysis

This episode is hosted by Ethan Fuller and Steve Hewitt and includes a rapid-fire breakdown of the NEPSAC girls' basketball brackets released on Sunday night. Steve and Ethan examine Class AAA, AA, A, B large and B small.

NEPSAC boys playoffs: Brackets, teams and analysis

This episode is hosted by Ethan Fuller and Steve Hewitt and includes a rapid-fire breakdown of the NEPSAC boys' basketball brackets released on a Sunday night. Steve and Ethan examine Class AAA, AA, A, B large and B small.

MIAA Boys 2026 State Tournament Preview

than Fuller and Steve Hewitt review the 2026 MIAA boys basketball tournament brackets with guest Mukala Kabongo, who attended games daily all season. They break down all five divisions, discussing top seeds, key players, matchups, sleepers, and predicting the final fours and champions. 
Topics
03:20 Division 5 Breakdown
09:41 Division 4 Contenders
17:43 Division 3 "Team of Destiny"
28:55 Division 2 Heavyweights
38:02 Mansfield vs. Holland Tech
39:19 Final Four Predictions
39:59 Dangerous Lower Seeds
41:13 Division 1 Seed Rundown
43:11 Newton North Dark Horse
46:56 Attleboro and Brockton Watch
48:00 Central vs. Andover Breakdown
50:45 Bracket Sleepers and Matchups
01:01:03 Panel Wrap and Bracket Talk
01:03:32 "Full-Court Press" Segment
01:04:00 Favorite Broadcasters
01:07:02 Next NBA Franchise City
01:10:47 Most Memorable Dunks

MIAA Girls 2026 State Tournament Preview — The HoopWise Podcast

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller are joined by Trevor Hass of the Boston Globe to preview the MIAA girls state tournament, division-by-division from D-5 to D-1, discussing bracket takeaways, seeding/power ranking impacts, favorites, and upset picks. They name “players to watch,” then finish with fun "Full-Court Press" questions.
Topics
01:50 Tournament Preview Setup
03:39 Big-Picture Takeaways
06:23 Division 5 Breakdown
10:10 Division 4 Upsets
14:59 Division 3 Chaos
23:58 Division 2 Loaded Field
32:23 Medfield Shooting Story
34:12 How Medfield Could Lose
37:12 Division 1 Seeds
38:00 Early Upsets and Matchups
39:00 Final Four Picks
42:47 Wachusett Star Breakdown
45:23 Worcester South Defense
48:43 Natick's Tough Draw
49:30 Ten Players to Watch
52:37 Full-Court Press Q and A
01:06:58 Final Wrap and Farewell

CATS Academy's Cary Herer previews Nike EYBL Scholastic Showcase in Boston

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller sit down with Cary Herer, the head coach and director of basketball operations at CATS Academy Boston. They discuss the excitement around the upcoming EYBL Scholastic Boston Showcase, set to take place from Feb. 13-15 at Curry College, featuring top national high school programs. Coach Herer shares insights on CATS Academy’s transition to the EYBL Scholastic circuit, the rigorous travel and preparation involved, the high-level competition, and the evolving landscape of college recruitment influenced by the transfer portal. Additionally, they dive into the development of CATS Academy's players, the importance of international recruitment, and the challenges and strategies behind building a top-tier basketball program. The episode concludes with a fun segment of "Full-Court Press," where the panel picks ideal NBA players and coaches for crucial game moments.

NEPSAC Playoff Forecast

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller dive into the current New England Prep School Athletic Council playoff races across various classes for both boys and girls basketball. They discuss key teams, players and recent developments affecting the standings and playoff scenarios. Following the basketball updates, the hosts participate in a thrilling trivia contest focused on New England Patriots Super Bowl heroes, covering memorable moments and key players from the team's championship victories. This episode provides a comprehensive look at the high school basketball scene in New England while also celebrating the most successful era in Patriots history.
Topics00:26 NEPSAC Postseason Preview01:31 Super Sunday and Venue Discussion02:10 Class AA Boys Basketball Overview02:32 Bridgton Academy's Remarkable Season07:41 Girls AAA Basketball Insights09:36 Class AA Boys Basketball Contenders14:14 Class AA Girls Basketball Analysis17:07 Class A Boys Basketball Chaos22:36 Class A Girls Basketball Standings26:26 Class B Boys Basketball Highlights28:13 Shoutout to Brooks and Kenya Jones29:16 Emerging Teams in Class B29:59 Class B Small Highlights31:41 Class B Large and Small Playoff Contenders37:17 New Teams in the Playoff Mix40:01 Patriots Super Bowl Trivia

MIAA Girls Midseason Report

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller dive in to the state of MIAA girls basketball amid a snowy Boston winter. The discussion spans top teams including undefeated Medfield and Springfield Central, standout players and potential state championship contenders. They also preview the highly anticipated Comcast Tournament featuring powerhouse matchups, and they share thoughts on key surprises this season, including breakout teams Needham and Walpole. Additionally, Ethan reveals his personal journey of training for the Boston Marathon, running in support of the Dream Big charity.
Topics
01:32 MIAA Midseason Reports Overview
02:16 Top Teams in the MIAA Girls Season
02:57 Medfield's Dominance and Key Players
04:49 Springfield Central and Other Contenders
08:38 Division 1 and 2 Championship Predictions
12:50 Division 3 to 5 Insights
15:22 Surprise Teams and Coaches' Impact
17:19 Coaching and Systems: Overcoming Talent Gaps
18:01 Player of the Year Race: Midseason Contenders
19:27 Breakout Stars and Rising Prospects
21:21 Comcast Tournament Preview
23:37 February Break Basketball Excitement
26:19 Looking Ahead: State Tournament Predictions
29:01 Ethan's Boston Marathon Journey
33:25 Wrapping Up: Exciting Weeks Ahead

MIAA Boys Midseason Report

Ethan and Steve delve into the mid-season status of MIAA boys basketball. Key highlights include in-depth looks at standout programs like Malden Catholic, St. Mary's, Central Catholic, and others. The hosts also break down the competitive landscape of Division 1, 2, and 3, spotlighting top players. They additionally touch on potential dark horses and surprise teams in each division. The episode wraps up with anticipation for the upcoming Comcast tournament and other significant matchups as the season progresses.
 
Topics
01:12 Mid-Season Grind and Reflections
01:22 MIA Season Overview and Surprises
02:46 Spotlight on Malden Catholic and St. Mary's
10:08 Central Catholic's Dominance
16:27 Division One Contenders
18:56 Key Players and Teams in Division One
20:21 Division Two Overview: St. Mary's and Challengers
25:11 Division Three Contenders and Surprises
27:41 Top Players to Watch This Season
32:48 Division Four and Five Highlights
33:55 Upcoming Tournaments and Final Thoughts