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

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