Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller preview the upcoming girls New England prep school basketball season. They reflect on their first year covering the sport and discuss the refined strategies they're bringing into year two. The episode covers in-depth analysis and championship predictions for the NEPSAC girls' teams across different classes (AAA, AA, A, B Large, B Small, and C). Additionally, the episode features a trivia showdown between the hosts to wrap things up.

Topics

00:26 Reflecting on the Past Year

00:55 Previewing the Girls' Basketball Season

01:33 Insights on Team and Player Development

08:31 Class AAA Teams to Watch

09:42 Tilton: The Defending Champions

15:58 New Hampton: A Strong Contender

19:30 Other Notable AAA Teams

24:13 Class AA Overview

26:53 The Overachievers

29:33 Worcester Academy's Underrated Potential

30:17 Austin Prep: Rising Contender

32:40 Class A Championship Predictions

36:54 Class B Large and Small Breakdown

42:00 Class C Championship Pick

46:18 Full Court Press Trivia Showdown

53:47 Closing Remarks and Season Excitement

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller are joined by Brad Feldman to delve into a comprehensive preview of NEPSAC basketball. The conversation covers key prospects, teams and potential champions across various divisions, including AAA, AA, A, B Large, B Small and C. Highlighting standout schools like Newman, St. Thomas More, Cushing and Milton Academy, the hosts and guest provide insights on players to watch, sleeper picks and breakout stars for the upcoming season. The episode is packed with detailed analysis, predictions and stories from the basketball landscape in New England.

Topics

00:27 Special Guest: Brad Felman

00:39 Prep Boys Preview Show

00:54 Brad's Busy Fall and Open Gyms

02:08 Local Food Recommendations

03:37 Class AAA Basketball Preview

04:17 Newman School's Dominance

07:34 St. Thomas More and Other Contenders

08:48 Darrow School's Rising Talent

09:28 Vermont Academy and Other Teams to Watch

17:01 Putnam Science Academy's Strong Start

20:17 Class AA Basketball Preview

29:58 Electric Performance and Potential

30:16 St. George's and ISL Champs Discussion

31:46 Cushing Academy's Depth and Potential

33:08 Class A Championship Contenders

44:05 Class B Large and Small Teams

51:25 Sleepers and Breakout Players

55:52 Excitement for the Upcoming Season

Steve and Ethan welcome Lindsay Miller, newly appointed head coach at Needham High School. Lindsay discusses her background as a player from Westwood High School with multiple records, her playing days at Harvard, and her coaching experiences at Harvard and Rivers. She delves into her work as a certified mental performance consultant, focusing on how she helps athletes, coaches, and teams maximize performance and manage anxiety. Lindsay shares insights on the importance of positive self-talk, mindfulness practices, and the impact of community in sports. The conversation also covers her thoughts on intentional fouling and flopping in basketball. The episode concludes with a fun segment discussing rules with producer David Yas.

Topics

00:27 Introducing Lindsay Miller: New Head Coach at Needham

01:38 Mental Performance Consulting Explained

04:16 Common Stressors Among Young Athletes

05:41 The Impact of Social Media on Athletes

08:19 Differences in Mental Health Between Male and Female Athletes

13:11 Mindfulness and Mental Exercises for Athletes

20:24 Lindsay Miller's Return to Coaching at Needham

24:56 Lindsay Miller's Unique Career Path

26:22 Lessons from Harvard Coach Kathy Delaney Smith

27:54 The Legacy of Kathy Delaney-Smith

30:43 Harvard's Tournament Run and Coaching Rivalries

32:11 Memorable Players and Toughest Matchups

34:12 Full Court Press: Basketball Rules and Strategies

46:36 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

Ethan Fuller and Steve Hewitt sit down with John Carroll, the sporting director for basketball at Masters Academy International (MAI). The conversation delves into Carroll's role in creating a top-tier sports academy poised to be the 'IMG Academy of the North,' which is set to launch in fall 2026. They explore the vision for MAI, discuss its potential impact on the New England basketball landscape, and compare it with existing academies like IMG. Carroll shares insights into his dual roles at Newman School and MAI, and the challenges and opportunities they present. The episode also touches on Carroll's scouting experience with the WNBA's LA Sparks and his thoughts on fostering athletic excellence.

Topics

00:29 Introducing John Carroll and Masters Academy International

01:31 The Vision and Development of Masters Academy

02:32 Challenges and Opportunities in New England Basketball

04:59 The Impact of Masters Academy on Local Talent

15:28 Current Progress and Future Plans for MAI

17:41 Basketball Program Structure and Recruitment

29:33 Balancing Roles at Newman and Masters Academy

32:48 Reflecting on Career Transitions

33:12 Embracing New Opportunities

33:44 Exciting Roles and Experiences

34:54 Newman Basketball Team Insights

35:25 Building a Winning Culture

39:27 Challenges and Changes in Prep School Sports

41:30 Future of Prep School Athletics

45:48 Full Court Press: Basketball Icons and Moments

57:44 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

Ethan sits down with Clinton Lassiter, the all-time winningest coach in Massachusetts high school basketball history. With co-host Steve Hewitt absent, Fuller explores Lassiter's unique approach to coaching, balancing competitive excellence with genuine care for his players, many of whom face significant personal challenges. Lassiter, who serves as the vice principal and head coach at Cathedral High School, shares his commitment to maintaining a winning culture, navigating obstacles, and providing low-cost opportunities for inner-city youth through his AAU program, the Boston Showstoppers. The discussion also touches on the growth of women's basketball, the importance of role models, and the intrinsic relationship between sports and life skills.

Topics

00:29 Meet Clinton Lassiter

00:51 Coach Lassiter's Fashion and Coaching Philosophy

02:40 Balancing Coaching and Personal Life

03:39 Building a Winning Culture

09:35 Challenges and Rewards of Coaching Inner City Girls

22:32 Overcoming Stereotypes and Representing Boston

30:56 The Importance of Low-Cost Opportunities in Basketball

33:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller provide an in-depth look at the latest trends and updates in New England basketball recruiting. They discuss recent player commitments, notable prospects in the 2026 class, and the increasing impact of revenue sharing on mid-major schools' recruiting capabilities. Both Steve and Ethan share insights from recent visits to open gyms and the New England Recruiting Report showcases. Additionally, they play an NBA trivia game, highlighting the lighter side of their basketball discussions.

Topics

00:20 Hosts Catch Up and Episode Overview

00:44 Recruiting and Commitment Updates

01:40 Fantasy Football Banter

02:14 Boys' Basketball Commitments

05:03 Girls' Basketball Commitments

14:08 Impact of NIL and Revenue Sharing

29:59 Upcoming Prospects to Watch

33:51 Top High School Basketball Prospects

35:21 Rising Stars in Girls' Basketball

38:34 Upcoming Talent to Watch

39:51 Exciting Open Gym Visits

42:51 Spotlight on Chance Finlayson

50:18 NBA Trivia Challenge

56:42 Wrapping Up and Future Plans

The guest is Lambros Papalambros, the boys' head coach at Nobles and coach of the Middlesex Magic Hoop Group team. The discussion touches upon Papalambros's coaching journey, the dynamics of AAU and NEPSAC basketball, his approach to fostering team culture and player development, and reflections on the current state of youth basketball. The episode also includes engaging segments on favorite playing memories, overlooked players, and NBA conspiracies.

Topics

00:31 Guest Introduction: Lambros Papalambros

00:50 Coaching Journey and Achievements

01:13 Challenges and Successes with Middlesex Magic

08:09 Key Players and Their Development

14:49 Transition to School Season at Nobles

24:04 Building Team Culture and Goals

31:22 Positive Coaching Philosophy

35:21 Embracing Positivity in Coaching

35:35 The Role of Positive Reinforcement

37:55 Challenges and Rewards of High School Basketball

39:47 Specialization in Youth Sports

43:37 The Evolution of Youth Athletes

46:01 Rapid Fire Questions

51:55 Full Court Press: NBA Conspiracies and More

01:03:55 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Steve Hewitt and Ethan Fuller interview blue-chip basketball star AJ Dybantsa. AJ shares his recent activities, including trips to Monaco for the Grand Prix and Jamaica, as well as his workouts at BYU. The discussion covers AJ's experiences with Kevin Young, his personal development on defense, strategic insights from NBA players like Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and Anthony Edwards, and the differences between U.S. and international basketball. The podcast also delves into AJ's perspective on college basketball, future goals, the importance of ranking first in the NBA draft, and his engagement with fans and media. The episode concludes with a segment of Full-Court Press, where AJ shares favorite basketball memories and movie recommendations.

Topics

00:34 AJ's Busy Summer

01:16 Monaco Grand Prix Experience

02:04 Transition to College Life at BYU

03:56 Defensive Skills and NBA Insights

08:30 NBA Playoffs and Player Analysis

13:29 Future NBA Prospects and Draft Goals

16:03 Memories from NEP Sac and St. Sebs

16:44 Reconnecting with Old Teammates

17:29 Toughest Matchups and Players to Watch

18:49 International Basketball vs. US Basketball

20:26 Excitement for College Basketball

20:54 Embracing Public Life and Giving Back

22:35 Full-Court Press: Fun and Games

31:23 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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

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