HoopWise from New England Basketball Journal

2025 MIAA Championship Recap

Steve and Ethan provide an in-depth recap of the MIAA championship weekend in Lowell. They discuss key games and standout performances across the boys and girls divisions, including the thrilling Division 1 girls rematch between Wachusett and Bishop Feehan, Somerset Berkeley's shocking upset of Malden Catholic in boys Division 2, and Franklin's triumphant victory over Newton North in boys Division 1. Emotions ran high throughout the weekend, creating an unforgettable end to the basketball season with several historic achievements, including Somerset's first title since 1954 and Cathedral's three-peat in Division 4 girls. The episode encapsulates the excitement and intensity of high school basketball in New England, spotlighting the athletic talent and community spirit that define the sport.
 
Topics
00:27 Recap of the MIAA Championship Weekend
02:27 Friday's Games: D3 Girls Championship
02:54 Spotlight on St. Mary's Victory
06:34 D3 Boys Championship: Norwell vs. Old Rochester
12:08 Saturday's Games: D5 and D4 Boys Championships
19:02 D2 Girls Championship: Medfield vs. Worcester South
23:54 Epic D1 Girls Championship: Wachusett vs. Bishop Feehan
27:11 Mixed Reactions to the Play
27:21 Breaking Down the Game-Winning Play
28:44 Player Highlights and Performances
29:49 Bishop Feehan's Tough Loss and Key Players
31:17 Wachusett's Unexpected Success
33:32 Sunday's Chaotic Game: Hoosac Valley vs. Renaissance
38:41 Division 4 Championship: Cathedral's Dominance
40:32 Division 2 Boys Championship: Somerset Berkeley's Upset
46:25 Division 1 Boys Championship: Franklin vs. Newton North
56:32 Reflecting on the 2025 Girls Class
57:46 Wrapping Up the Season

NEPSAC Championship Recap

Steve, Ethan and guest Matt Doherty recap an exciting weekend of NEPSAC basketball championships. They discuss thrilling boys and girls games across various classes, including a dramatic last-second win for Tilton in the AAA girls' final and Newman's overtime victory over New Hampton in the AAA boys' final. The episode also highlights standout players like Lucas Morello and Amir Jenkins, remarkable coaching performances from first-year head coaches, and notable comeback stories. The hosts give detailed analysis on key games, top performances, and the resilience shown by players and teams during critical moments of the championships.
 
Topics
00:26 Weekend Recap with Matt Doherty
01:12 Championship Sunday: NEPSAC Boys Class B and Class A
02:50 Class B Thriller: Brooks vs. Rivers
09:44 Class A Showdown: Williston Northampton vs. Phillips Exeter
14:45 Player Highlights and Future Prospects
17:49 Steve's Coverage at Western New England
19:01 Worcester Academy's AA Championship Victory
24:22 Epic AAA Battle: Newman vs. Newhampton
26:21 The Intense Final Minutes
28:47 Overtime Drama Unfolds
29:55 Newman's Triumph and Reflections
31:11 Lucas Morello's Heroics
33:24 Tilton's Stunning Victory
39:57 Worcester Academy's Gritty Win
44:40 Loomis Chaffee's Continued Dominance
48:27 Rivers' Defensive Masterclass
52:57 Wrapping Up the Season

MIAA Girls State Tourney Preview

Ethan Fuller and Trevor Hass provide a comprehensive preview of the girls basketball state tournament. They cover all five divisions, discuss top teams and players, and make their predictions for championship and final four picks. Key highlights include in-depth analysis of powerhouse teams. The hosts also spotlight breakout players, potential upsets, and under-the-radar teams to watch. The episode concludes with a 'Full Court Press' segment where the hosts answer philosophical and personal questions about basketball fandom.
 
Topics
 
00:33 Special Guest: Trevor Hass
00:49 State Tournament Excitement
01:55 Division Five Breakdown
06:36 Spotlight on Division Four
13:27 Division Three Contenders
25:50 Medfield's Dominance in Division Two
30:37 North Quincy vs Quincy: A Thrilling Matchup
31:48 Notre Dame Hingham: A Team to Watch
34:02 Dartmouth's Road to the Finals
34:49 Division Two: A Competitive Bracket
38:45 Division One: Championship Rematch?
43:41 The Rise of Natick and Other Contenders
48:39 Final Thoughts and Predictions
51:02 Full Court Press: Basketball Fandom

MIAA Boys State Tourney Preview

In this episode of the Hoopwise Podcast, hosts Ethan Fuller, Steve Hewitt, and guest Matt Feld delve into a comprehensive preview of the upcoming MIAA playoffs. They cover key teams, players, and matchups in divisions one through five, focusing particularly on the competitive landscape in New England high school basketball. Notable discussions include predictions for division winners, the impact of home court advantages, and potential Cinderella stories. Feld shares intriguing stats and insights, while Hewitt offers his fresh perspective on the tournament. The episode culminates with both hosts sharing their excitement for the high-energy environments and potential upsets that make the state tournament a thrilling experience.
 
Topics
 
00:26 MIAA Playoff Preview Discussion
02:36 Division One Boys Playoff Race
05:00 Top Teams and Potential Matchups
11:05 Star Players to Watch
17:26 Championship Picks and Predictions
32:11 Mansfield and Other Contenders
33:37 Oliver Ames and Other Teams to Watch
34:11 Tewksbury and North Quincy
35:11 Malden Catholic's Historic Run
36:35 Division Three Overview
37:06 St. Mary's and Norwell
44:03 Clinton and Other Division Four Teams
49:58 Division Five Insights
54:18 Excitement and Predictions for the State Tournament

NEPSAC Girls Playoff Forecast

Steve and Ethan provide a comprehensive update on the New England Prep School Athletic Council (Nepsac) girls basketball season as it heads into the final weeks before playoffs. They delve into the top teams across different classes, discussing key players, standout performances, potential upsets, and playoff predictions. The hosts emphasize the unpredictable nature of the upcoming playoffs, especially highlighting the chaotic competitiveness of Class B. The episode also teases upcoming MIAA previews and the rigorous coverage the podcast will have leading up to and during the Nepsac playoffs.
 
Topics
 
00:16 In-Studio Catch-Up and Season Overview
01:38 NEPSAC Girls Season Insights
02:15 Class AAA Breakdown
07:31 Class AA Highlights
12:42 Class A Contenders
15:36 Class B Chaos
20:27 Class C Shoutouts
21:26 Upcoming Matchups and Final Thoughts

NEPSAC Boys Playoff Forecast

Ethan and Steve  provide an in-depth look at the basketball landscape in New England as the regular season concludes. They discuss the upcoming NEPSAC playoffs by analyzing the top teams across various classes, the key players, and recent performances. The podcast also features insights into specific players and teams to watch, setting the stage for an exciting playoff season. Tune in for comprehensive analysis and early predictions before diving into the reaction pod when the playoff brackets are released.
 
Topics
 
00:28 Winter Season and Playoff Preview
02:25 NEPSAC Class AAA Breakdown
09:04 NEPSAC Class AA Insights
17:41 NEPSAC Class A Analysis
24:57 NEPSAC Class B Overview
28:15 Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Content
 

Braintree Girls Coach Kelley Macdonald

In this episode of the Hoopwise Podcast, Ethan Fuller interviews Kelley Macdonald, head coach of the breakout Braintree girls basketball team. Coach Macdonald reflects on her long tenure at Braintree, her transition from assistant to head coach, and the strategies that have contributed to the team’s impressive 15-1 record this season. The discussion covers key players, particularly the leadership of Spidorsha, and pivotal games that signaled their successful run. Additionally, Macdonald shares insights on coaching style, dealing with star players in foul trouble, and making game-time decisions. The episode concludes with a segment on situational basketball challenges facilitated by the producer.
 
Topics
 
01:14 Kelley Macdonald's Coaching Journey
02:15 Memorable Moments and Players
04:38 Life as an Assistant Coach
08:03 Transition to Head Coach
11:05 Breakout Season Reflections
14:38 Spotlight on Spidorsha
17:01 Key Players and Their Impact
18:26 Crucial Games and Turning Points
20:21 Coaching Strategies and Inspirations
24:46 Situational Basketball Scenarios
33:07 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Recapping Hoophall & Latest in NEPSAC/MIAA

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller dive into January's basketball highlights across New England. They recount their experiences at the Whoopal Classic, discussing games, standout players, and remarkable performances, including Bryce James and Amir Jenkins. The episode also covers pivotal upcoming games, significant team achievements, and rising stars in NEPSAC and MIAA territories. The hosts share previews and recaps of important matchups, insights into team dynamics, and exciting prospects in the basketball scene. They emphasize the need to watch for looming February games and share personal recommendations for must-see players and teams.
 
Topics
 
00:29 Recap of Recent Basketball Events
01:12 Hoop Hall Classic Highlights
07:20 Brewster Academy's Dominance
15:16 Worcester Academy's Rising Star
24:29 Upcoming February Matchups
25:05 Recap of Recent Games and Matchups
27:09 Upcoming Exciting Games in February
29:12 NABL Weekend Relocation and Key Matchups
30:41 Big MIAA Rematches to Watch
32:30 Exeter's Dominance and Upcoming Challenges
38:38 Shoutouts to Outstanding Players and Teams
45:57 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead

January Basketball Roundup

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller from the New England Basketball Journal provide a comprehensive breakdown of the New England basketball scene. The discussion includes detailed recaps of recent games, insights on player performances, and future game previews. Key highlights are Franklin's victory over Attleboro, Javi Lopez's game-winner for Central Catholic, and upcoming excitement surrounding the Tabor vs. Nobles matchup. The hosts also dive into topics such as the new NBA All-Star Game format and the overrated or underrated status of Doc Rivers' Hall of Fame resume. The episode wraps up with a look ahead to the prestigious HoopHall Classic tournament and its must-watch games.
 
Topics
 
00:30 Busy January Basketball Schedule
01:54 Exciting Weekend at TD Garden
02:30 Tabor vs. Dexter Recap
10:56 Exeter's Shocking Win Over Newhampton
16:50 Upcoming Tabor vs. Nobles Showdown
22:18 NEPSAC Observations
26:08 NEPSAC Milestones and MIAA Power Rankings
29:58 The Competitive Spirit in Basketball
30:47 Analyzing the Rankings
31:40 Merrimack Valley Conference: A Closer Look
32:47 Power Rankings and Underrated Teams
37:57 Upcoming Games and Key Matchups
44:28 Hoophall Classic: A Must-See Event
48:05 Full Court Press: Overrated or Underrated?
57:11 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up 

Williston Northampton Coach Ben Farmer

In this episode of the Hoopwise Podcast, hosts Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller bring on Ben Farmer, head coach at Williston Northampton, to reflect on the tragic passing of Thayer Academy’s head coach, Mike Babul. Farmer shares fond memories of Babul and discusses the impact he had on the New England prep basketball community. The conversation transitions to Williston Northampton’s strong start to the season, the influence of prep school basketball, recruiting insights, and valuable advice for prospective student-athletes. The episode concludes with a lively 'Full Court Press' segment, where panelists predict future trends in high school basketball, discuss must-see players, and share their favorite game-time snacks.
 
Topics
 
00:33 Welcoming the Guest: Ben Farmer
01:10 Remembering Mike Babul
07:12 Wilson Northampton's Strong Start
14:54 Challenges of Prep School Basketball
18:58 The Evolution of Prep School Basketball
19:13 The Exeter Game That Wasn't
25:15 Key Players and Team Dynamics
29:37 High School Basketball Standouts
30:09 Challenges in College Recruitment
30:53 Impact of Transfer Portal and NIL
33:10 Advice for Prep School Admissions
35:40 Balancing Coaching and Admissions
37:46 Recruiting Pitch and Player Development
43:56 Full Court Press: Predicting the Future
48:19 Full Court Press: Players to Watch
51:39 Full Court Press: Ultimate Game Day Snacks
54:54 Conclusion and Farewell