New Co-Host! Josh Boyko joins the podcast as a regular fixture. He is a 2024 graduate of Minnesota State University, Moorhead, with a degree in sports broadcasting and journalism, and has been contributing writing to the AdventistHoops blog.

At the end of her first school year as the women's head coach at Walla Walla University, Makana Stone, grew up in Coupeville on Whidbey Island, Washington. She played basketball at Whitman College (D3) and later played professionally overseas in England, Norway, and the Netherlands.

Coaching Transition: Following a career-ending concussion in the Netherlands, Stone returned to the U.S. and accepted the coaching position at Walla Walla University, where she values the program's alignment with her own beliefs.

Coaching Philosophy:

Stone emphasizes effort, hustle, and accountability in her players. She prioritizes intensity in practice to allow players to flow naturally during games. She values the holistic development of her athletes, noting that the Seventh-day Adventist environment—including the observation of the Sabbath—provides a healthy balance for students.

Program Outlook: After finishing her first season with a small roster, Stone is looking forward to her first full recruiting cycle to increase team depth and improve the program's competitiveness within the NAIA and the Cascade Conference.

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On the 30th anniversary of Southwestern Adventist University’s (SWAU) "Hoops Classic” high school tournament, Dustin Comm visits Keene, Texas, to see the tournament for himself and learn about its history. He’s joined by SWAU’s head men’s basketball coach and athletic director, Tyler Wooldridge, and vice president of student services, James The. The guys discuss the tournament’s origins, which parallels the inception of SWAU's intercollegiate sports program; the goal was letting Adventist kids know there was a place they could play at the next level without compromising Sabbath beliefs.

They talk about why so many out of state teams come each year, the top teams to watch at the 2026 tournament, and some of the best teams and players over the history of the tournament. The guys reflect on the experience created for athletes, and what they’re most proud of about this tournament.

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A 6’9” forward from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ramogi played a season at Division 1 Saint Thomas University in Minnesota before returning home this year to play at the University of Manitoba. Ramogi was a part of two provincial championship teams in high school, although he missed the first title game due to the Sabbath. The provincial athletic association was unwilling to change that first game, but the following year it was moved to a Monday and Ramogi got to play. He talks about his relationship to the Sabbath and how he has navigated his observance in different situations. He believes he missed out on the U17 Canadian national team because he wouldn’t play on Sabbath, and later decided to play on Sabbath on the U18 team, where he won a bronze medal. He’s transparent about his journey with the Sabbath moving forward as a collegiate athlete and how he will continue to honor it.

Ramogi shares his experience playing NCAA division 1 basketball, participation in an NBA academy event via the national team, and a low moment where he considered quiting basketball. Ramogi is excited for this season at the University of Manitoba and says he’s open to playing at an Adventist university at the end of his college career!

Thank you for listening! Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe to help us grow this community!

Follow on Instagram, and learn more at adventisthoops.com.

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