Panaya and Tritusa Join Forces to Enhance SAP Testing in Australia
The boys basketball 2024-25 high school season tipped off last Saturday with a handful of contests. As it kicks into full gear this week, we surveyed all of the coaches in Southwest Idaho’s 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A conferences, asking them for the teams to beat and players to watch. Here’s what they had to say. TEAMS TO WATCH MCCALL-DONNELLY: Led by Lewis-Clark State commit Sam Penny, a senior shooting guard, the Vandals are favored to win the 4A Snake River Valley, receiving four of a possible six first-place votes in the preseason coaches’ poll. Penny averaged 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game last season on his way to SRV Player of the Year and second team All-Idaho honors . Fellow senior starters Michael Foster (10.8 ppg, 8 rebounds) and Maddox Arnold (3.3 ppg, 2.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists) add experience to McCall-Donnelly’s lineup as the Vandals aim for a third district championship in the past four seasons. HOMEDALE: The Trojans have played in the district title game four times in five seasons, winning in 2020 and 2023. While Homedale lost to McCall-Donnelly in last year’s district championship, the Trojans turned the tables by eliminating the Vandals from the state tournament . Seven players are back from that team, including four starters, led by senior guard Luke Henry (second team all-conference) and senior post McCoy Swallow (honorable mention). All but two of the Trojans’ varsity players also play football, which advanced to the 4A title game, meaning Homedale may start slow as the team transitions from one sport to another. AMBROSE: The reigning 2A state champions haven’t lost any respect with the move to the 3A WIC, where they were tabbed the favorite in a preseason poll of the league’s coaches. Three returning starters in senior point guard Lincoln Mathis (10 ppg, 7 rebounds), senior shooting guard Tristen Trevino (10 ppg) and junior power forward Mark Yenor (5 rebounds) will form the backbone of the Archers’ roster. First-year coach Jordan Whittenburg says Ambrose won’t abandon its defensive identity, as the Archers are known for a pressure-cooker D that thrives on turnovers. LIBERTY CHARTER: Having won three straight district championships and gone unbeaten in league play the past two years, the Patriots received top billing in the 2A WIC despite the return of just one starter from last year’s state-qualifying team. Senior guard/wing Stephen Roskum is Liberty Charter’s top returning scorer at 7 points per game, but the Patriots will need to find more weapons after graduating 85% of their scoring from a year ago. Senior wing Aidyn Camarillo, freshman point guard Tyden Blacker and senior guard Owen Henrickson should pick up some of that slack, coach Seth Stallcop said. GARDEN VALLEY: The Wolverines have consistently finished at the top of the league standings, having won four district championships in six seasons. Garden Valley edged rival Cascade by two points for the top spot in a preseason poll of 1A Long Pin coaches, and it will benefit from the return of three starters from a team that lost in the third-place game at state last season. The trio of guards Madix Miller (11.1 ppg), Maxon Yearsley (10.5 ppg) and Trevor Corn headline the Wolverines’ aggressive full-court press, and all three were all-conference honorees last season. TEAM CAPSULES Teams are listed in order of their predicted finish from the preseason coaches’ polls. 4A SRV 1. MCCALL-DONNELLY Last season: 19-3, 10-0 3A SRV Coach: Jason Tinney, 13th season Players to watch: Sam Penny, sr., SG; Michael Foster, sr., PF; Maddox Arnold, sr., PG; Sam Scott, jr., SG 2. HOMEDALE Last season: 10-15, 7-3 3A SRV Coach: Cam Long, sixth season Players to watch: Luke Henry, sr., G; Alex Sotelo, sr., PG; Angel Contreras, sr., G; McCoy Swallow, sr., P 3. COLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN Last season: 25-3, 14-0 2A WIC Coach: Leif Karlberg, first season Players to watch: Isaiah Holsinger, jr., PG; Adam Ashmead, sr., SG; Kaden Krogh, jr., F 4. WEISER Last season: 14-9, 6-4 3A SRV Coach: Ron Shirts, second season Players to watch: Kolin Cook, sr., G; Josh Mizar, sr., G/F; Isai Herrera, sr., P 5. FRUITLAND Last season: 9-16, 4-6 3A SRV Coach: Darren Van Hofwegen, second season Players to watch: Titus Vidlak, so., G; Zeke Van Hofwegen, jr., G; Konnor Clarich, jr., P 6. PAYETTE Last season: 1-21, 0-9 3A SRV Coach: Chris Schultz, first season Players to watch: Michael Ocampo, jr., G/W; Nathan Cisneros, sr., G/W; Josh Rodriguez, sr., SG; Dusk Brooks, sr., G 3A WIC 1. AMBROSE Last season: 21-6, 10-4 2A WIC Coach: Jordan Whittenburg, first season Players to watch: Lincoln Mathis, sr., PG; Tristen Trevino, sr., SG; Mark Yenor, jr., PF; Zane Gammon, so., G T-2. MELBA Last season: 15-10, 9-5 2A WIC Coach: David Lenz, first season Players to watch: Rylan Frank, sr., PG; Carsten Volkers, sr., F; Wyatt Hansen, sr., G T-2. NAMPA CHRISTIAN Last season: 17-8, 8-6 2A WIC Coach: Matthew Gregory, fourth season Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey. 4. MARSING Last season: 9-14, 3-11 2A WIC Coach: Lamon Loucks, first season Players to watch: Teagan Kinney, sr., G; Jace Chadez, sr., G; Juan Ponce, jr., G 5. NEW PLYMOUTH Last season: 17-7, 9-5 2A WIC Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey. 6. PARMA Last season: 7-15, 2-7 3A SRV Coach: Tanner Kramer, second season Players to watch: Nathan Compas, jr., PG; Trevor Mann, jr., SF; Jeb Hansen, jr., PF 7. VISION CHARTER Last season: 11-12, 6-4 1A WIC Coach: Jason George, fourth season Players to watch: Kamden Stoker, sr., W/PF; Dakota Williams, sr., W/G; Payton Williams, jr., G; Jace Duffel, jr., G 2A WIC 1. LIBERTY CHARTER Last season: 19-7, 10-0 1A WIC Coach: Seth Stallcop, 18th season Players to watch: Stephen Roskum, sr, G/W; Aidyn Camarillo, sr., W; Tyden Blacker, fr., PG; Owen Henrickson, sr., G 2. VICTORY CHARTER Last season: 20-7, 9-1 1A WIC Coach: David C. Weaver, third season Players to watch: Cody Luce, sr., G; Jett Wood, sr., G 3. COMPASS CHARTER Last season: 6-16, 2-12 2A WIC Coach: Shane Tolman, second season Players to watch: Kellen Walbuck, sr., G; Mason Bennett, sr., G; Jayden Horn, sr., F; Beau Bristol, sr., C/PF 4. NORTH STAR CHARTER Last season: 2-20, 1-13 2A WIC Coach: Kevin Hutchens, first season Players to watch: Kyle Wheeler, sr., W; Logan Ellis, so., PF/C; Timothy Baros, so., W 5. RIVERSTONE Last season: 17-8, 7-2 1A WIC Coach: Nicholas Kitnikone, first season Players to watch: Amer Sangha, sr., PG; Emerson Bava, jr., PF; Conrad Ness, sr., SF 6. NOTUS Last season: 13-8, 6-4 1A WIC Coach: Brad Huter, first season Players to watch: Luis Vargas, sr., W; Benny Guevara, sr., W; Derrick Huter, jr., G; Caleb Cudaback, jr., W 7. RIMROCK Last season: 9-14, 5-5 1A WIC Coach: Wylee Aquiso, second season Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey. 8. WILDER Last season: 3-18, 2-8 1A WIC Coach: Rudy Cortez, first season Players to watch: Kyevan Gephart, sr., PG; Julian Neri, sr., SG; Brandon Perez, sr., F 9. IDAHO CITY Last season: 10-11, 5-4 1A WIC Coach: Al Hansen, third season Players to watch: Trey Martini, sr., W; Michael Kazmeric, jr., P; Sean Rossett, so., G 10. GEM STATE Last season: 3-12, 1-9 1A WIC Coach: Benjamin White, first season Players to watch: Jakob Evenson, fr., PG; Rowan Hendricks, sr., C; Orion Chavez, sr., PG 11. CENTENNIAL BAPTIST Last season: 1-18, 0-10 1A WIC Coach: Brent Mai, seventh season Players to watch: Cameron Tilzey, sr., G; Karson Sams, so., P; Caleb West, jr., G 1A LONG PIN 1. GARDEN VALLEY Last season: 22-4, 9-1 1A Long Pin Coach: Heather Kelly, fourth season Players to watch: Madix Miller, jr., G; Maxon Yearsley, jr., G; Trevor Corn, sr., G 2. CASCADE Last season: 19-7, 9-1 1A Long Pin Coach: Josh Hurley, fourth season Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey. 3. COUNCIL Last season: 8-14, 4-6 1A Long Pin Coach: JC Tucker, second season Players to watch: Tucker Laine, sr., G; Decker McLinn, sr., G; Garrison Zielinski, jr., PG; Wade Vinning, sr., P 4. TRI-VALLEY Last season: 7-12, 3-7 1A Long Pin Coach: Lee Nichols Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey. T-5. GREENLEAF Last season: 5-19, 3-7 1A WIC Coach: Eric Christianson, fourth season Players to watch: Not provided T-5. SALMON RIVER Last season: 2-18, 0-10 1A Long Pin Coach: Mike Shepherd, fourth season Players to watch: Aaron Markley, jr., F; Kingston Pyle, so., F; Blake Shepherd, so., G; Gage Crump, fr., G 7. HORSESHOE BEND Last season: 13-12, 5-5 1A Long Pin Coach: Terrik Foote, first season Players to watch: Trey Bauer, sr., PG; Colby Swan, sr., C; Lukken March, jr., SG 6A SIC boys basketball preview: Picking the league’s preseason favorites and contenders Boys basketball preview: Preseason picks for the 5A SIC’s favorites and dark horses
Western Province Entrepreneur Awards 2024 was held in grandeur on 11 December 2024, at Lotus Hall, BMICH for the seventh consecutive year. The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) and the National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA) have jointly organised this annual award scheme to categorise, reward and motivate Sri Lanka’s domestic entrepreneurs. Driven with the objective to recognise the accomplishments to encourage the business community, in the Western Province, to improve their standards of business practices, and achieve a high level of entrepreneurship focusing on the micro, small, and medium to large sectors. This prestigious event was graced by the esteemed presence of Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, as the Guest of Honour. National Enterprise Development Authority Chairperson/Director General W.T.R. Chandima as a special guest, NEDA Director Dhanuka Liyanagamage, NCCSL President Mr. Deepal Nelson, and many senior officials of NEDA, NCCSL, Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. Our esteemed panel of judges were also present at the ceremony as distinguished invitees. Awarding criteria have been set to recognise and honour the outstanding entrepreneurs in various sectors, including Industry/Manufacturing, Agriculture/Livestock/Fisheries, and Hospitality/Tourism and Other Services. There were 12 awards distributed throughout these 12 thematic areas, acknowledging the best practices. The following awards were presented: Best Environmentally Friendly Enterprise, Best Exporter, Best Productive Enterprise, Best Innovative Enterprise, Best Value-Added Enterprise, Best Energy Efficiency Enterprise, Best Entrepreneur Providing the Most Jobs for Females, Best Woman Entrepreneur, Best Youth Entrepreneur, Best Entrepreneur with Special Abilities, Best Enterprise – Sustainable Business Practices, Best Entrepreneur – Financial Performance. The top awards of the evening, ‘Entrepreneur Awards 2024 – Western Province,’ were presented as follows: 2nd Runner-up (Bronze Award) winner: British Institute of Management and Technology Ltd., Joint Runners-up (Silver Awards) winners: Infinity Green International Ltd. and Everbolt Engineering Ltd., and Overall Winner (Gold Award) – The Best Entrepreneur of the Year 2024: Union Chemicals Lanka PLC. Additional notable awardees included: L.N.C. Creations, recognised as the Best Entrepreneur with Special Abilities, Wickramarachchi Brothers Ltd. awarded as the Best Woman Entrepreneur, Dedunu Fibre Mills was recognised as the Best Environmentally Friendly Enterprise. The ‘Western Province Entrepreneurship Awards 2024’ ceremony celebrated the innovative spirit and dedication of entrepreneurs who have played a pivotal role in driving economic growth and development in the Western Province. The event highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and recognised outstanding achievements in various business sectors. Gold Sponsor: Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC; Bronze Sponsor: MAC Holdings Ltd.; Print Media Partner: Lake house; Awards Sponsors: DSI Tyre, LOLC General Insurance PLC, Lady J; Printing Partner: Softwave, and Other Sponsors: Abhi Top Toe Well-Being, British Institute of Management and Technology Campus, Country Style Foods Ltd., Illukkumbura Industrial Automation Ltd., Nature’s Beauty Creations Ltd., Ninehearts Ltd., SALOTA International Ltd., Sri Lanka Association of Non State Higher Education Institutes (SLANSHEI), Sri Lanka Gem & Jewellery Association and Synex International Ltd.An elaborate parody appears to be behind an effort to resurrect Enron.