Episode 38 - Makana Stone - Walla Walla University Women's Head Coach - Professional ball in Europe, coming home to Walla Walla, and discovering the joy of the Sabbath

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.