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

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

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

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

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

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