HoopWise from New England Basketball Journal

Shane Laflin on the Future of Girls' Basketball

Steve and Ethan are joined by Shane Laflin, Director of Evaluating Services at Premier Basketball. They discuss Shane’s journey in basketball, his insights on talent evaluation, and the ascendance of the girls' game over the past decade. Shane shares his thoughts on key attributes for successful recruits, the impact of NIL, and provides detailed evaluations of top New England prospects. They also delve into critical issues and potential future developments in girls' basketball and grassroots tournaments. The episode closes with a fun rapid-fire segment exploring favorite basketball players and games.
 
Topics
00:36 Guest Introduction: Shane Laflin
01:41 Shane Laughlin's Background and Career Path
02:27 The Evolution of Premier Basketball
12:41 Insights on Talent Evaluation
19:03 Importance of Intangibles and Leadership
23:57 Advice for Top Recruits
33:01 Spotlight on New England Players
36:37 Analyzing Defensive Rotations and Offensive Schemes
36:55 Player Development and Shooting Mechanics
37:31 Concerns and Potential of Young Players
39:19 The Value and Impact of Player Rankings
40:34 Responsibilities and Challenges in Player Evaluation
46:34 Future of Girls High School Basketball
54:06 Full Court Press: Quickfire Questions
01:01:57 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Gratitude

The Hoops/Hockey Crossover Show

This crossover episode between New England Hockey Journal's Rink Wise and New England Basketball Journal's Hoop Wise podcasts. The hosts discuss the idea of merging the discussions around the two sports, focusing on the differences and similarities in player development, recruitment, and the unique challenges each sport faces. Topics covered include the yearly schedules for basketball and hockey, the impact of club and prep teams on player growth, the role of advisors and agents, the rising cost of playing these sports at elite levels, and the potential of future changes in the structure and governance of these youth sports.
 
Topics
01:13 Basketball vs. Hockey: Seasonal Differences
01:38 Open Gyms and Recruitment in Basketball
04:18 Fall Hockey Showcases and College Scouting
05:33 The Role of Club Teams in Player Development
12:05 Prep School and Club Team Dynamics
16:52 Balancing Multiple Sports and Commitments
26:46 Shoe Circuits and Sponsorships in Basketball
31:25 Exploring Brand Influence in Basketball and Hockey
31:53 The Business of AAU and College Recruiting
35:09 Junior Hockey Pathways and College Eligibility
46:38 The Role of Advisors and Agents in Youth Sports
51:46 The Rising Costs of Youth Sports
57:45 The Impact of Club Teams on Local Hockey Programs
59:46 Conclusion and Future Discussions

Rising Star Ella Peper

The guest is Ella Peper, who is ranked fourth nationally in the class of 2028 by ESPN. Peper discusses her busy summer schedule, player development, and her experiences with AAU and national team tryouts. The conversation also covers her recruitment process, training routines, and future aspirations in basketball. The episode concludes with a fun segment of rapid-fire questions, offering insights into her personal interests and habits.
 
Topics
00:27 Introducing Ella Peper
01:10 Ella's Summer and Training Regimen
02:06 Player Development and Skills
03:41 Strength Training and Nutrition
08:09 U16 National Team Tryouts Experience
10:48 AAU Season Highlights
14:40 Recruiting and College Prospects
18:25 Leadership and Future Goals
22:29 Dunking and Athleticism
24:42 Dreams and Aspirations
25:26 WNBA Expansion and Pro Dreams
26:34 Full Court Press: Rapid Fire Questions
29:09 Favorite Basketball Movies
31:18 Game Day Superstitions
35:17 Outdoor Basketball Games
36:49 Favorite Jersey Numbers
38:34 Excitement Beyond Basketball
40:50 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Ryan Altman and Jay Jones: Next Stop, Penn

Steve and Ethan delve into the paths of standout players Ryan Altman and Jay Jones. Both guests are former teammates at Rivers School and current teammates on the Middlesex Magic as well as future roommates and teammates at Penn. The conversation covers their high school success, handling adversity, the evolution of their friendship, their experiences in various competitive settings, and their excitement for the future at Penn. They also discuss coach transitions and their goals for playing collegiate basketball, emphasizing their aspiration to make it to the NCAA March Madness.
 
00:00 Introduction to the Hoop Wise Podcast
00:25 Meet the Guests: Ryan Altman and Jay Jones
01:08 High School Basketball Memories
01:49 Preparing for College Basketball at Penn
04:02 Reflecting on Key Games and Rivalries
06:12 The Rivers School Experience
17:40 The Middlesex Magic Experience
18:03 Lessons from Middlesex Magic
18:41 Jay's Season at Cushing Academy
19:46 Basketball Family Backgrounds
20:07 Growing Up Around Basketball
21:16 BU Memories and Player Connections
22:21 Penn Connections and Excitement
24:08 Choosing Penn Together
25:28 Roommate Dynamics
26:13 Playing for Coach McCaffery
27:04 Building Confidence in Basketball
32:51 Goals and Aspirations at Penn
33:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

AAU Championship Recap

Steve and Ethan recap the recently concluded AAU basketball season in New England. They discuss their experiences covering the season, highlighting top tournaments, standout players, and noteworthy performances from various regional teams. The episode features an in-depth look at specific players who significantly raised their stock, including award-winning prospects and rising stars. The hosts also share personal anecdotes and insights on the dynamics of AAU basketball, player development, and the rigors of the competitive circuit. Additionally, the episode includes a segment on the challenges and joys of basketball reporting, offering listeners a glimpse behind the scenes of their work and the questions they ask to get the best stories.
 
Topics
00:30 Reflecting on the AAU Season
01:32 Steve's First Live Period Experience
02:13 Adidas 3SSB Palmetto Road Championships Recap
02:50 BABC and Mass Rivals Performance Highlights
08:36 Expressions Elite's Cinderella Run
14:21 Other Notable Boys Teams Performances
17:04 Girls AAU Season Highlights
22:42 Final Thoughts on the AAU Cycle
29:23 Top 5 Stock Risers
34:38 Adidas Live Period Recap
35:07 Addison Brennan: Rising Star
36:40 Breaking News: Ty to Ballis Reclassifies
40:50 Jay Scott's Impressive Season
42:46 Lucas Marillo's Big Year
46:24 Quinn Costello: National Sensation
53:00 Honorable Mentions and Final Thoughts
55:45 Full Court Press: Behind the Scenes

Tilton School Coach Tara Brisson

Steve and Ethan talk with Tara Brisson, the Class AAA Champion and Coach of the Year at Tilton. Tara shares her experiences and insights on the basketball landscape in New England, her coaching journey, and the growth of NEPSAC girls' basketball. They discuss her approach to coaching, building team culture, and managing highly talented players. Tara also offers advice for new coaches entering NEPSAC and reflects on significant moments in her coaching career. The episode concludes with a fun segment, 'Full Court Press,' where they discuss favorite pump-up songs, basketball shoes, and childhood posters.
 
Topics
00:34 Interview with Tara Brisson: Summer Heat and Coaching Achievements
01:44 Reflecting on the Championship Season
04:34 Tara Brisson's Coaching Journey
07:48 Impactful Relationships and Coaching Philosophy
13:39 The Evolution of NEPSAC Girls Basketball
17:50 Motivation and Daily Wisdom
25:41 Preparing for the Next Season
31:18 Managing Expectations for a Top-Ranked Player
32:05 Fostering Personal Growth Beyond Rankings
35:23 Highlighting Other Promising Players
36:01 Balancing High Standards with Patience
38:03 Preparing for the Upcoming Season
44:35 Full Court Press: Fun and Games
52:25 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude

Dexter Southfield Coach Matt Droney

The guest is Matt Droney, head coach of Dexter Southfield’s boys basketball team. The discussion covers Droney’s impressive resume, including his successful playing career and coaching stints at various institutions. Droney reflects on his transition from college coaching to high school coaching, Dexter Southfield’s strong first season under his leadership, and the positive team dynamics he fostered. Additionally, the conversation touches on the evolution of high school and prep basketball, and the challenges Droney faced along his coaching journey. The episode concludes with a fun segment of Full Court Press, where the hosts and guest discuss rule changes, fantasy teams, and potential documentary subjects.
 
Topics
01:05 Matt Droney's Coaching Journey
01:32 Reflecting on the First Year at Dexter Southfield
03:54 Key Players and Team Dynamics
10:47 Recruitment and Player Development
18:15 High School Basketball Memories
27:23 Coaching Influences and Philosophy
31:12 Dexter Southfield's Basketball Programs
32:55 State-of-the-Art Facilities and Training
35:24 Upcoming NSAC Showcases and Team Expectations
37:31 Full Court Press: Rule Changes and Basketball Fantasies
45:36 Basketball Documentaries We'd Love to See
51:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

North Quincy Coach Liana Cunningham

Ethan and Steve interview Liana Cunningham, the girls coach at North Quincy High. She, shares her journey from wanting to be a coach at a young age to leading her team to an impressive season culminating in the Division Two Final Four. She discusses the dynamics of being a young coach, her coaching philosophy, and the importance of confidence both for herself and her players. The episode also highlights her connection with other coaches, her favorite basketball moments, and her experiences with her supportive coaching staff. The team wraps up with a fun segment called Full Court Press where they share personal anecdotes and favorite basketball nicknames.
 
Topics
00:20 Welcoming the Guest: Coach Liana Cunningham
00:45 Gen Z in Coaching: A Unique Perspective
01:57 North Quincy High's Remarkable Season
03:27 Early Aspirations and Coaching Influences
04:46 Balancing Coaching and Playing Experience
06:46 Rivalries and Community Support
08:44 Building a Strong Team and Staff
12:34 Coaching Philosophy and Inspirations
16:50 Challenges and Lessons Learned
22:39 Coaching Aspirations and Community Impact
23:31 High School Basketball Memories
25:01 Full Court Press Introduction
25:47 Heartbreaking Basketball Moments
30:03 Favorite Basketball Nicknames
33:23 Unpopular Players We Love
38:25 Episode Wrap-Up

PREP basketball's Cory Heitz

The guest is PREP basketball's Cory Heitz, founder of Prep Athletics. Cory shares his extensive experience in placing student-athletes into prep schools, highlighting his personal journey and the evolution of basketball recruiting. Key topics include the foundational benefits of prep schools, the impact of financial considerations, the transformation brought by the transfer portal and NIL deals, and the future of three-point shooting in basketball. Cory also shares memorable success stories and offers candid advice for families making critical decisions about their children's basketball and educational paths.
Topics
01:01 Cory's Journey: From High School to Prep School
03:41 The Impact of Prep Schools on Cory's Family
05:41 The Changing Landscape of Prep Schools
08:17 Factors Influencing Prep School Decisions
11:58 Financial Aspects of Prep Schools
15:43 Comparing Prep School and College Recruiting
20:01 The Importance of Reclassing and Extra Year
23:40 Common Questions from Families
28:34 The Role of Trust in the Recruitment Process
32:47 New England Basketball and NEPSAC Discussion
34:25 Comparing Prep Schools Across the Country
36:44 Success Stories of Placed Students
40:03 The Impact of Post-Grad Years
41:18 Full Court Press: Basketball Insights
49:53 The Future of Three-Pointers in Basketball
55:36 Conclusion and Wrap-Upstories

Brooks School Coach Kenya Jones

Steve and Ethan sit down with Kenya Jones, head coach of the Brooks School's basketball team, fresh off their Class B Championship win. The conversation delves into the thrilling journey to the championship, including Alex Wilkins's game-winning shot, the team's emotional rollercoaster season, and the contributions of key players. Additionally, they discuss the strong community support at Brooks School and the future of the team. The episode wraps up with a fun segment of 'Full Court Press' where the hosts and Kenya Jones share their favorite highlights in basketball history, including memorable dunks, buzzer-beaters, and steals.
 
Topics
00:27 Introducing Special Guest: Coach Kenya Jones
01:18 Reflecting on the Championship Win
02:39 Overcoming Adversity Throughout the Season
04:28 The Emotional Journey and Key Moments
10:49 The Impact of Alex Wilkins
22:49 The Team Effort Behind the Victory
25:55 Community Support and School Spirit
27:22 Phenomenal Kids and Supportive Community
28:00 Challenging Road Games and Team Resilience
29:31 Planning for Next Season
30:48 Reflecting on Key Players and Team Dynamics
32:35 Full Court Press: Fun Q&A Segment
33:40 Memorable Dunks and Dunkers
38:33 Iconic Buzzer Beaters
42:55 Greatest Steals in Basketball History
47:00 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts