HoopWise from New England Basketball Journal

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

The Latest On Recruiting in New England

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller provide an in-depth look at the latest trends and updates in New England basketball recruiting. They discuss recent player commitments, notable prospects in the 2026 class, and the increasing impact of revenue sharing on mid-major schools' recruiting capabilities. Both Steve and Ethan share insights from recent visits to open gyms and the New England Recruiting Report showcases. Additionally, they play an NBA trivia game, highlighting the lighter side of their basketball discussions.
 
Topics
00:20 Hosts Catch Up and Episode Overview
00:44 Recruiting and Commitment Updates
01:40 Fantasy Football Banter
02:14 Boys' Basketball Commitments
05:03 Girls' Basketball Commitments
14:08 Impact of NIL and Revenue Sharing
29:59 Upcoming Prospects to Watch
33:51 Top High School Basketball Prospects
35:21 Rising Stars in Girls' Basketball
38:34 Upcoming Talent to Watch
39:51 Exciting Open Gym Visits
42:51 Spotlight on Chance Finlayson
50:18 NBA Trivia Challenge
56:42 Wrapping Up and Future Plans

Nobles Coach Lambros Papalambros

The guest is Lambros Papalambros, the boys' head coach at Nobles and coach of the Middlesex Magic Hoop Group team. The discussion touches upon Papalambros's coaching journey, the dynamics of AAU and NEPSAC basketball, his approach to fostering team culture and player development, and reflections on the current state of youth basketball. The episode also includes engaging segments on favorite playing memories, overlooked players, and NBA conspiracies.
 
Topics
00:31 Guest Introduction: Lambros Papalambros
00:50 Coaching Journey and Achievements
01:13 Challenges and Successes with Middlesex Magic
08:09 Key Players and Their Development
14:49 Transition to School Season at Nobles
24:04 Building Team Culture and Goals
31:22 Positive Coaching Philosophy
35:21 Embracing Positivity in Coaching
35:35 The Role of Positive Reinforcement
37:55 Challenges and Rewards of High School Basketball
39:47 Specialization in Youth Sports
43:37 The Evolution of Youth Athletes
46:01 Rapid Fire Questions
51:55 Full Court Press: NBA Conspiracies and More
01:03:55 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

AJ Dybantsa: His Path & His Future

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller interview blue-chip basketball star AJ Dybantsa. AJ shares his recent activities, including trips to Monaco for the Grand Prix and Jamaica, as well as his workouts at BYU. The discussion covers AJ's experiences with Kevin Young, his personal development on defense, strategic insights from NBA players like Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and Anthony Edwards, and the differences between U.S. and international basketball. The podcast also delves into AJ's perspective on college basketball, future goals, the importance of ranking first in the NBA draft, and his engagement with fans and media. The episode concludes with a segment of Full-Court Press, where AJ shares favorite basketball memories and movie recommendations.
 
Topics
00:34 AJ's Busy Summer
01:16 Monaco Grand Prix Experience
02:04 Transition to College Life at BYU
03:56 Defensive Skills and NBA Insights
08:30 NBA Playoffs and Player Analysis
13:29 Future NBA Prospects and Draft Goals
16:03 Memories from NEP Sac and St. Sebs
16:44 Reconnecting with Old Teammates
17:29 Toughest Matchups and Players to Watch
18:49 International Basketball vs. US Basketball
20:26 Excitement for College Basketball
20:54 Embracing Public Life and Giving Back
22:35 Full-Court Press: Fun and Games
31:23 Final Thoughts and Farewell