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

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

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