HoopWise from New England Basketball Journal

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

2025 AAU Preview

Ethan and Steve discuss the transition from the school basketball season to the AAU circuit. They highlight key players, teams, and prospects from recent events, including standout performances and recruiting potential. They also delve into specific player developments and the dynamics of different AAU teams across New England. Additionally, the episode features a fun quiz on college basketball nicknames. Join the hosts for an insightful deep dive into the regional basketball scene as they gear up for exciting AAU action this spring and summer.
 
Topics
00:28 Transition from School Season to AAU
00:46 Spring Weather and AAU Excitement
02:17 First AAU Event Insights
02:48 Player Performances and Team Dynamics
09:11 Spotlight on Expressions Elite
14:06 Emerging Talent and Notable Performances
17:33 Sneaker Teams and Top Prospects
25:24 Upcoming Girls' AAU Events and Expectations
30:53 Projecting Future Basketball Stars
31:44 Spotlight on Jay Scott
44:28 Under the Radar Prospects
47:47 College Basketball Nicknames Quiz
55:17 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead

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