Today on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we are pleased to present our second Special Edition Episode, a curated collection of invaluable advice, insights, and philosophies from some of the most respected basketball minds in Manitoba’s history.

Over the years, we've had the privilege of sitting down with dozens of coaches who have helped shape the landscape of basketball in our province. In this episode, we revisit some of the most impactful moments from past interviews — all focused on one common theme: coaching excellence.

Whether you're a seasoned veteran on the sidelines, a new coach just starting your journey, or simply a fan of the game, this episode offers a wide range of perspectives on what it takes to succeed as a leader in basketball. You'll hear about:

• Building a strong team culture
• Motivating young athletes
• Overcoming adversity
• Long-term player development
• The evolution of coaching philosophies over time
• And the importance of mentorship and continuous learning

These segments are pulled from interviews with many of Manitoba's most successful and influential coaches — individuals who have not only found success on the scoreboard but have also made a lasting impact on the lives of their players and communities.

Tune in, take notes, and be inspired. This is a celebration of the coaches who continue to elevate the game in Manitoba and beyond.

Today on the Basketball Manitoba podcast, we have Jeff Laping.

A graduate of St. Paul’s High School, he has been involved with the school’s basketball program since 1995 and has coached the varsity boys since 2000.

He has led the Crusaders to five conference championships, 12 final four appearances, and four provincial championships.

Under his leadership, St. Paul’s has produced 25 Canadian college or USports level players.

He has served as an assistant coach with the University of Manitoba Bisons and has coached multiple provincial teams and with Canada Basketball’s Centre for Performance.

He is the former president of the Manitoba Basketball Coaches Association and has received numerous accolades, including AAAA Boys Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2014, and the Peter Dyck Award for Coaching Excellence in 2010.

Today on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Joel Themmen.

He has been a staple in the Basketball Community for over 30 years. He is a graduate of Kildonan East Collegiate and then went on to play basketball at the University of Manitoba for 3 years.

He coached high school for 11 years at Kildonan East, Sisler, Miles Mac and Fort Richmond. He coached the Manitoba Provincial Team as an assistant coach 6 times and a head coach once.

He’s been an assistant coach with the University of Manitoba Bisons Men’s and Women’s teams for 6 seasons and was an assistant at Red River College for 6 years. He was on the coaching staff with the Winnipeg Cyclone for 1 year.

Currently, he is an Assistant Coach with Scott Martin at Canadian Mennonite University, a role he’s held for 6 years. He was also a Basketball Manitoba board member for 2 years.