Podcasts
Ep. 182 - Epic HS Hoops Weekend, NJ Controversy, NCAAW Takeover & More!
On Episode 182 of the Ballislife In The Paint Show, hosts Ronnie Flores, Ani Umana, Chelsea Hopkins and Horace Neysmith go hard on the epic weekend of high school hoops, where state championships were decided in power states across the country. The ITP crew also dish on the big controversy in New Jersey, where Manasquan (N.J.) lost on an egregious referee's overturned call to FAB 50 No. 40 Camden (N.J.), which went on to capture the NJISAA Public Group 2 state state title on the court. The show concludes with Horace previewing his upcoming Underclassmen All-American Game on March 24 in Atlanta.
Before the crew takes a deep dive on the high school scene, Chelsea gives her dish on the dramatic SEC Championship Game between LSU and South Carolina, why women's college basketball has surpassed the men's game this season in terms of star power, and her early break down of the upcoming women’s NCAA Tournament! Ron also breaks down how the retirement of Coach K at Duke signaled a changing of the guard in college basketball. The men’s top coaches no longer hold a grip on the players and the sport itself, and don’t have the platform to encourage positive change. Now that the players have exerted more control and power, it’s women’s coaches such as Dawn Staley (South Carolina) and Kim Mulkey (LSU) who command the stage. Why and how did this happen? The ITP Crew breaks it down!
The ITP Crew gives their personal dish on the Manasquan-Camden playoff controversy. Ani and Chelsea feel it was an isolated incident where a wrong court have been righted off the court by the state association, where Horace and Ron lean to the side that what transpires on the court is what stands, even when the human error is blatant. Ron breaks down how and why he conducts the FAB 50 based on results, and focuses on what happens on the court and not in meeting rooms or in court rooms.
Ani gives the rundown of the UIL Class 6A state title game and what makes FAB 50 No. 5 Plano East (Texas) so special. Horace gives the rundown on what went down in the GHSA playoffs and how FAB 50 No. 24 Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) won its first state title. Was it an upset then Grayson beat Ace Bailey and McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)? Is Ace Bailey the best prospect in the country, even over Cooper Flagg? Horace and Ani go hard “In The Paint” on the topic and on national player rankings!
Ron then gives a quick rundown of what went down in Florida and California in their big state title games.
The show concludes with Horace dishing on his Underclassmen All-American Game (March 24), its history and purpose (proceeds benefit Diabetes causes) and some of the top young talent expected to play this year. He also breaks down why Gilbert Arenas, the former NBA All-Star, has his son Alijah, one of the top 2026 prospects in California and the nation, play at Chatsworth (Calif.) instead of at Sierra Canyon (Calif.), where his sister plays at, or one of the other power programs. Gil’s reasoning might surprise you!
The ITP Crew go hard on plenty of terrific and relevant high school topics and break down plenty of players who stood out over the weekend, so make sure to tune in to Episode 182 from start to finish! Also make sure to check out our ITP Overtime shorts for more info, insight and behind the scenes stories!
(0:00) - Intro
(2:51) - NCAAW Takeover: How Did This Happen?!
(11:16) - Chelsea Dishes On LSU-South Carolina!
(16:53) - NCAA Men's Coaches: Losing Their Grip
(19:06) - Chelsea's Hot Take on W March Madness!
(24:25) - Big Girls Name For the Future!
(25:50) - Manasquan-Camden Playoff Controversy!
(30:00) - NJ Controversy Fallout: On-Court v. Off-Court!
(39:10) - Texas UIL Title Game Breakdown
(45:28) - Georgia GHSA Championship Recaps
(50:51) - Ace Bailey vs. Cooper Flagg!
(1:01:44) - More State Title Rundowns!
(1:02:53) - Underclassmen A-A Game (3/24) Spotlight!
(1:06:04) - 2026 & 2027 Standouts!
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