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.

Today, on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Martha Bradbury.

She has been an official in Manitoba for over 25 years at all levels of the game. She graduated from Nelson High School in Burlington, Ontario, where she was named athlete of the year.

She played basketball and volleyball and competed in track and field, where she held an Ontario record for the high jump for 10 years. She went on to graduate from the University of Manitoba.

She was a U SPORTS / CIS official for over 22 years and officiated the U SPORTS Nationals four times. She officiated at the Canada Basketball National Championships five times and was a Referee Coach at nationals 8 times. She is currently the Manitoba Provincial Supervisor and Board Member for the Manitoba Association of Basketball Officials (MABO).

She is currently one of MABO’s lead clinicians and evaluators and represented the Canadian Basketball Officials Commission on the Jr. NBA Canadian Leadership Council.

Today, on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Earl Roberts.

He played high school basketball at Humberside Collegiate and Runnymede Collegiate in Toronto. He then went on to play at Brandon University.

There, he was a 5-year starter and helped Brandon go to the National Tournament 3 times, securing two bronze medals and a silver in 1984

He is a two-time GPAC All-Star and is a Brandon University Dick and Verda McDonald Sports Wall of Fame member. He’s a Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame member, Class of 2005

Beyond his playing days, he has dedicated over 30 years to officiating basketball at various levels, including local, provincial, and U SPORTS national competitions, 3 times, and has been an official of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.

Most recently, he has been a member of the Pathway to Excellence committee, whose mission is to develop up-and-coming officials to become U SPORTS and International officials.

Today, on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Ilarion Bonhomme, the current head coach of the Brandon Bobcats women’s program.

He played high school basketball at Cardozo High School in Washington, DC.

He played at Brandon University for three years and was named Canada West Rookie of the Year. He transferred to play his last two years with the University of Manitoba Bisons and helped the program return to excellence, earning their first trip to nationals in 30 years after securing a silver medal in the Canada West playoffs in 2018

He then played internationally in Norway, Australia, Sweden, Ukraine, Spain, and the United Kingdom for six seasons.

In 2024, he retired from playing and was named the Head Coach of the Brandon University Women’s Basketball Team.

Today, on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Sara Gillis. Sara has been a cornerstone of basketball in Manitoba for over 40 years, contributing as a player, coach, official, and advocate for the game. Her basketball journey began in Brandon, where she played for Earl Oxford Junior High and Crocus Plains High School. She also played for the Manitoba Provincial Team for three years and earned a silver medal at the 1985 Canada Games. She then went on to play at Brandon University with the Bobcats for five seasons. During her time there, she was named Brandon University’s Female Athlete of the Year in 1984-85.

After playing, she transitioned to coaching at first at Garden Valley in Winkler and then going on to and build a powerhouse program at R.D. Parker Collegiate in Thompson, leading the Varsity Girls to four consecutive AAA provincial finals, including back-to-back championships in 2015 and 2016. Her impact in northern Manitoba extended beyond the court as she organized clinics, camps, and leagues to grow the game at the grassroots level. She has also served as an assistant coach for Manitoba's under-17 female team, worked with Basketball Manitoba’s Targeted Athlete Program, and continues to advocate for rural basketball initiatives and increasing women in coaching through her role as the President of Basketball Manitoba. She has received the Mike Spack Lifetime Achievement Award and has been inducted into the Brandon University Dick and Verda McDonald Sports Wall of Fame.

Today, on the Basketball Manitoba Podcast, we have Murray Brown.

He is one of the most accomplished coaches in Manitoba's history, coaching for over 34 years and more than 1,100 games as a head coach with the Oak Park Varsity girl's basketball team.

During that time, he won seven provincial titles in 1998, 1999, 2004, and 2013, with a “three-peat” from 2017-2019. He has been named MBCA basketball coach of the year 7 times and MHSAA coach in 2013.

He retired from coaching at Oak Park in 2022 and is currently an assistant with the Winnipeg Wesmen Women’s basketball team.