HoopWise from New England Basketball Journal

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

N.E. Prep Mid-Season Recap

In this episode of the Hoopwise Podcast, hosts Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller dive into the latest developments in New England high school basketball. They discuss the standout performances and progress of various teams and players across the region. On the girls' side, standout programs like Tabor Academy, Nobles, and Tilton are highlighted, along with events like the Nickerson Showcase. On the boys' side, Williston Northampton's rise to prominence is a key focus, as well as notable individual performances from rising stars such as Alex Egbuonu and Peyton Kamin. The hosts also touch on exciting buzzer-beater moments and significant coaching milestones. This episode provides a comprehensive update on the basketball season, offering insights and anecdotes from recent games and events.
 
Topics
00:27 Holiday Catch-Up and Season Overview
01:26 Recap of Recent Games and Events
01:48 Nickerson Showcase Highlights
04:04 Top Teams and Players Analysis
11:50 Tilton's Performance and Potential
18:40 Worcester Academy vs. New Hampton Recap
22:19 Standout Players and Future Prospects
24:14 Analyzing a Unique Player's Skills and Potential
25:08 Spotlight on NMH Team and Key Players
25:37 Underrated Players Making Waves
27:32 Exciting Prospects 
29:11 Showcase Weekends and Boys Basketball Highlights
29:38 Williston's Impressive Performance
37:33 Rising Stars and Breakout Players
43:25 Buzzer Beaters and Memorable Moments
46:48 Shoutouts and Closing Remarks

MIAA Girls Basketball Preview

Steve and Ethan are joined by special guest Trevor Hass from the Boston Globe to discuss the upcoming season of MIAA Girls Basketball. They cover various topics, including standout players, team previews, and predictions for divisions one through four. The trio reminisce about their experiences covering past seasons and share stories, such as an encounter with Larry David at the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. They also touch on unique aspects of certain teams, breakout players to watch, and noteworthy stories.
 
Topics
 
00:22 Introducing Special Guest Trevor Hass
00:45 Trevor and Ethan's Basketball History
01:56 The Larry David Encounter
03:47 MIAA Girls Basketball Preview
05:43 Bishop Feehan's Dominance
09:21 Division 1 Contenders
13:55 Medfield and Division 2 Insights
16:05 Medfield's Youth Basketball Program
17:00 Foxborough's Championship Prospects
19:19 St. Mary's Rising Stars
20:41 Fenwick's Comeback Story
21:31 Norwell's Underrated Talent
23:02 Cathedral's Dominance in D4
26:03 Notre Dame Hingham's Orlando Sisters
27:07 Whitman Hanson's Breakout Players
32:18 Season Predictions and Rivalries

MIAA Boys Preview

Steve and Ethan delve into the high school basketball scene in New England, with a focus on the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA). They discuss the upcoming season, major teams, and standout players, including a detailed overview of Malden Catholic's quest for a four-peat, the competitive landscape of the Merrimack Valley Conference, and promising freshmen to watch. The hosts also highlight key players returning to their teams and cover the turnover and transitions affecting various schools.
 
Topics
 
00:26 Holiday Season and NEPSAC Recap
00:41 MIAA Season Previews
01:51 Steve's High School Basketball Background
02:43 Excitement for MIAA Atmosphere
04:18 MIAA vs. NEPSAC Dynamics
04:46 Turnover in MIAA Teams
08:09 Malden Catholic's Quest for a Four-Peat
15:48 Merrimack Valley Conference Teams to Watch
16:38 Merrimack League Showdown
17:33 Central Catholic and Lowell: Teams to Watch
20:34 Strength of Schedule and Other Teams to Watch
24:43 Spotlight on Key Players
30:16 Rising Freshmen to Watch
31:32 Final Thoughts and Season Preview Wrap-Up

NEPSAC Girls Preview

Hosts Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller provide an in-depth preview of the upcoming NEPSAC Girls Basketball season. They discuss the excitement for the season to begin, the competitive landscape across different classes (AAA, AA, A, and B), and the key changes, transfers, and players to watch. Ethan shares his title predictions for each class, highlights the most exciting matchups, and emphasizes the depth and talent present in New England girls' basketball. The episode covers major teams like Tabor, Nobles, Tilton, Dexter Southfield, Northfield Mount Hermon, Wilbraham & Munson, and more.
 
Topics
 
00:31 Excitement for the Upcoming Basketball Season
01:47 NEPSAC Girls Season Overview
02:38 Significant Changes in NEPSAC Girls Basketball
03:24 Class AAA Breakdown
06:19 Tabor Academy: The Team to Watch
11:41 Top Contenders in Class AAA
20:02 Class AA Insights and Predictions
21:52 Top Contenders in Double A
22:16 Northfield Mount Hermon and Wilbraham & Monson
25:49 Storm King and Marianapolis: Teams to Watch
28:13 Class A Favorites: Loomis Chaffee and Challengers
32:47 Class B Excitement: Rivers and More
37:04 Playoff Predictions and Final Thoughts

NEPSAC Preview with Brad Feldman

Ethan Fuller and Steve Hewitt dive into the New England prep school basketball season with guest Brad Feldman. The discussion covers a wide array of topics including team previews, key players, and upcoming showcase events. Brad Feldman, the play-by-play voice of the New England Revolution and a pivotal figure in high school sports broadcasting, shares exciting updates about the New England Basketball League's new streaming ventures. The episode features an in-depth analysis of top NEPSAC teams across different classes, highlighting intriguing matchups and standout student-athletes to watch this season.
 
Topics
 
00:43 Special Guest: Brad Feldman
01:04 Exciting News for NEBL Streaming
03:44 Challenges and Opportunities in Prep School Basketball
07:57 New Hampton School: Team Analysis
14:15 Spotlight on Newman School
19:01 Top Contenders in Class AAA
22:10 Emerging Teams and Players to Watch
25:51 Transition to Class AA
26:34 Player Highlights and Team Dynamics
27:28 Team Talent and Challenges
30:13 Exciting Teams to Watch
30:25 Cushing Academy's Rising Stars
33:16 Worcester Academy's Key Players
34:19 Northfield Mount Hermon Insights
35:50 St. George's and Other Double A Teams
38:16 Class A and B Teams Overview
43:41 Season Predictions and Final Thoughts

Harvard Women's Coach Carrie Moore

Hosts Ethan Fuller and Steve Hewitt are joined by Harvard Women's Basketball Coach Carrie Moore. They discuss the upcoming college basketball season, Moore's impressive coaching and playing career, and her current tenure at Harvard. Topics include preparing for the season opener, Moore's recruiting strategies, managing expectations, and the competitive landscape of New England basketball. Coach Moore shares personal insights on balancing the demands of coaching, the importance of relationships in recruiting, and her experiences living in the Boston-Cambridge area.
 
Topics
01:36 Carrie Moore's Impressive Resume and Playing Career
05:05 Carrie Moore's Journalism Background
06:08 First Impressions of Boston and Cambridge
08:36 Honoring and Building on Kathy Delaney Smith's Legacy
13:07 Adding Analytics to the Coaching Strategy
18:20 Managing Expectations and Team Dynamics
21:50 The Role of the Lead Guard
23:19 Harmony Turner's Senior Year
25:55 Non-Conference Schedule and Local Rivalries
28:36 Recruiting Philosophy and Process
36:09 Challenges and Rewards of Recruiting
42:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Babson Associate Head Coach Joey Flannery

In this episode of the Hoop Wise Podcast, hosts Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller sit down with Babson College basketball legend Joey Flannery. The discussion covers Flannery’s busy summer transitioning into his new role as Associate Head Coach at Babson, his collegiate success as a D3 national champion, and his professional career. The conversation provides insights into the evolving basketball landscape, the influence of the transfer portal, and the operational dynamics at Babson. Flannery shares stories from his tenure at Villanova, detailing his growth from graduate assistant to Director of Basketball Operations, and provides a unique perspective on coaching under Coach Jay Wright. Memories from coaching NBA prospects, participating in a pre-draft workout with the LA Clippers, and playing professionally in Spain are also highlighted. The episode concludes with nostalgic reflections on basketball memorabilia, memorable dunks, and the vibrant community support during major tournaments.
 
Topics
 
00:38 Welcoming Joey Flannery: Babson Basketball Legend
01:02 Joey's Return to Babson as Associate Head Coach
01:23 Reflecting on Babson's Basketball Program
02:26 Coaching Dynamics and Changes Over the Years
05:34 Recruiting and Team Preparations
13:01 Impact of the Transfer Portal on D3 Basketball
14:02 Joey's Journey at Villanova
20:22 Memorable Moments and Lessons from Villanova
27:52 Reflecting on a Championship Journey
29:38 The Importance of Team Chemistry
30:56 Community Support and Media Coverage
31:55 The Championship Game and Key Moments
34:47 Post-College Career and Draft Experience
36:25 Playing Overseas and Transition to Coaching
39:51 Full Court Press: Fun and Memorable Moments
49:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Oluchi Okananwa & Taina Mair of Duke

In this episode of the Hoopwise podcast, hosted by Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller from the New England Basketball Journal, two standout college basketball players from Duke, Oluchi Okananwa & Taina Mair of Duke basketball, join the discussion. The episode covers a comprehensive look at their basketball journey, experiences playing in New England and at Duke, their perspectives on recruitment, memorable games, and the impact of influential coaches like Kara Lawson. Both players share insights on their growth, mental toughness, and the experiences that shaped their college careers. The episode also dives into fun segments with light-hearted questions about basketball memories and preferences.
 
Topics
 
00:34 Meet the Guests
02:24 March Madness Memories
05:04 Facing Top Competition
08:08 Coach Kara Lawson's Impact
13:23 Lessons from College Basketball
18:24 Recruitment Insights and Experiences
23:09 Intense Competition 
23:53 Memorable Matchups and Games
25:29 Coaching and Transition to College
27:35 New England Basketball Recognition
29:27 Full Court Press: Fun Questions
36:49 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

The Middlesex Magic's Michael Crotty

In this episode of the Hoopwise Podcast, hosts Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller welcome Michael Crotty, director and head coach of the Middlesex Magic 17U team. Crotty discusses the history and impact of the Middlesex Magic program, established by his father in 1993. They delve into his summer experiences, commitment season, and the developmental journey of standout players like Alex Wilkins and Ryder Frost. Additionally, Crotty shares stories involving NBA players Pat Connaughton, Duncan Robinson, and Tyler Kolek, who are Magic alumni. The conversation also highlights the evolving landscape of grassroots basketball, the importance of mental toughness and role definition, and future goals for the program.
 
Topics
 
00:28 Special Guest: Michael Crotty of Middlesex Magic
00:40 Middlesex Magic's Impact and Achievements
00:56 Mike Crotty's Journey and Career
01:44 Summer Activities and Current Season
02:08 Commitments and College Recruitment
04:44 Challenges and Gratification in Coaching
08:34 Managing Multiple Players and Expectations
12:11 Alex Wilkins' Journey to Division I
15:20 Ryder Frost's Development and Success
19:18 The Importance of Physical Development
21:47 Joining the Under Armour Circuit
27:12 Defying Stereotypes in Grassroots Basketball
30:49 Building a Team Culture
32:26 Legacy and Values
33:21 NBA Success Stories
34:22 Lessons from Pat and Duncan
38:52 Memorable Moments
44:47 Future of the Program
47:42 Full Court Press: Panel Discussion