Sixteen $500.00 scholarships were awarded to Manitoba high school student athletes on May 6th, 2004, as part of the 2004 BEST (Basketball Education Scholarship Team) Program. Including this year's scholarship, McDonald's Restaurants of Manitoba in partnership with the MHSAA have supported a total of 146 students since the program began in Manitoba in 1995, presenting over $68,000.00.

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This year's recipients are: (Brief biographies of each recipient accompany this release)

"A" Boys Tavis Donnelly, Pinawa Secondary School/Drew Moran, Grandview School
"A" Girls Nicole Porath, Grandview School/Ferran Cardinal, Glenboro School
"AA" Boys Darren Hueging, Warren Collegiate/Jason Conway, Teulon Collegiate
"AA" Girls Holly Kroeker, Boissevain Collegiate/Taryn Hajnrych, Carberry Collegiate
"AAA" Boys Glen Pauch, Portage Collegiate/Matt Zeiler, Edward Schreyer Collegiate
"AAA" Girls Laura Locke, Churchill High School/Jayme Menzies, Neelin High School
"AAAA" Boys Ian Milne, Garden Valley Collegiate/Ryan Roper, Oak Park High School
"AAAA" Girls Samantha Breakenridge, Oak Park High School/Jenny Ezirim, Vincent Massey Collegiate

The BEST Program is administered by the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association Inc. (MHSAA), while the scholarship funding is provided by the 52 McDonald's Restaurants in Manitoba. This year, the program has provided $500.00 scholarships to sixteen young Manitoba high school basketball players, for a total of $8,000.00.

The scholarships are made available to graduating seniors who have excelled with their school's basketball team and who plan to pursue a post-secondary education. The solicitation of nominees and selection of scholarship recipients is based on academic, basketball and citizenship criteria, and is coordinated by the MHSAA and selected in cooperation with McDonald's and members of the Manitoba sports media. All graduating students in Manitoba, from the four classes of provincial high school basketball competition - "A", "AA", "AAA" and "AAAA" - are eligible to apply.

On behalf of all Manitoba McDonald's, Kathy Wyryha - Winnipeg Operations Manager, congratulated all of the winners. She stated McDonald's is pleased to provide continued support for such a worthwhile program and they are proud of the success that these high school students have achieved and are proud to present them BEST awards for their academic and athletic excellence.

"A" Category - Any Rural School Under 125 Students

Boys
Tavis Donnelly, of Pinawa Secondary School, led his team to Provincial Champion status and was the MVP of the "A" Basketball Provincials. He averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists per game. Tavis maintains a 74% academic average and is a student leader, member of the grad committee and is a referee and scorekeeper for volleyball and basketball.

Drew Morran, of Grandview School was the team Captain and team MVP with an 83% free throw shooting percentage. He maintains a 3.8 grade point average and is a member of the Grad Committee. Drew averages 12 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists per game.

Girls
Nicole Porath, of Grandview School maintains a 97% academic average and is also Student Council Co-President. She averages 23.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 11.3 assists per game with an 84% free throw percentage and received MHSAA Athlete of the Week recognition. Nicole is also involved in the drama club, yearbook and grad committee.

Ferran Cardinal, of Glenboro School maintains an 89% grade point average and is involved in refereeing and coaching basketball. With Ferran as their Zone MVP, the Glenboro Panthers were successful in becoming the Zone 6 and Provincial Champions, where she was named MVP. This MHSAA Athlete of the Week recipient averages 12 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists per game.

"AA" Category - any city of Winnipeg school with less than 100 students
and rural schools with 125 - 300 students.

Boys
Darren Hueging, of Warren Collegiate averages 22 points, 12.6 rebounds and 5 assists per game and was selected as an all-star at several tournaments. He led his team to a Silver medal at the "AA" Provincials. While maintaining a 91.2% grade point average, Darren is also involved in coaching and officiating the sports of basketball and volleyball.

Jason Conway, of Teulon Collegiate had 41, 39 and 38 point performances during league play this season. Jason maintains a 76% academic average while coaching junior high boys basketball. Jason also received All-Star and MVP recognition at several tournaments this season.

Girls
Holly Kroeker, of Boissevain Collegiate maintains a 4.0 grade point average. She was selected as an all-star at several tournaments this season and her team won the Zone 9 Championship. Her team went on to capture the provincial title and for her efforts, she was named MVP. Holly is a referee for basketball and volleyball and participates in a church singing group.

Taryn Hajnrych, of Carberry Collegiate maintains an 81% academic average. As the team's co-captain, Taryn averages 12.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Her team finished 3rd in the Brandon League, and won both the Carberry and Elton tournaments this season and finished in second place at the provincial championships. She is also a student council sports rep, peer tutor and coaches grade 7 & 8 basketball.

"AAA" Category - city of Winnipeg schools with 100 - 400 students
plus rural schools over 300 students

Boys
Glen Pauch, of Portage Collegiate received several Player of the Game and MVP awards while leading his team to the Zone 4 Championship. With Glen as captain, the team was undefeated in league play and playoffs. While maintaining a 95% academic average, Glen contributes an average of 13.2 points, 6 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. He is also a junior high soccer coach, chairperson of Spirit Week and Freshie Week for Student Council and a mentor for special need kids at school.

Matt Zeiler, of Edward Schreyer School in Beausejour was selected as an All-Star at several tournaments this season and received MHSAA Athlete of the Week recognition. Matt averaged 32 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists per game and scored 77 points in one game this year. He maintains a 96% academic average and was the assistant coach for the varsity girls basketball team. Matt's scoring led his team to a second place finish at Provincials.

Girls
Laura Locke, of Churchill High School in Winnipeg, was selected Player of the Game during the semi-finals at Provincials where her team took home silver. At guard, and as the teams Captain, Laura averages 20 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists per game. Laura was selected to the Winnipeg School Division varsity girls basketball all-star team this year. With an 85% academic average, Laura is on the honour roll at Churchill High School. She also is a scorekeeper for basketball and referees junior high games. Laura also coaches and officiates soccer.

Jayme Menzies, of Neelin High School maintains a 90% academic average. Her team was Brandon City Champions and was ranked #1 all year. They capped off their season with their fourth consecutive Provincial title. To add to her accomplishments, Jayme earned her 2nd consecutive Provincial MVP. Jayme was a member of the 2003 Juvenile Provincial Team, participates in choir, and coaches and officiates both basketball and volleyball.

"AAAA" Category - city of Winnipeg schools with a population over 400 students plus Lord Selkirk, Crocus Plains, Vincent Massey Brandon and Steinbach Regional

Boys
Ian Milne, of Garden Valley Collegiate in Winkler was recognized with MVP and All-Star selections in several tournaments this season. His team finished second in the Provincials where he earned an all-star. Ian maintains an 88% academic average and is a minor basketball referee.

Ryan Roper, of Oak Park High School in Winnipeg was selected as an All-Star at several tournaments this season. At Point Guard, Ryan averages 27.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. He maintains an 82% academic average, is co-coach of a grade 9 team and participates in volleyball, track and golf.

Girls
Samantha Breakenridge, of Oak Park High School received several All-Star selections this season. At guard, she averaged 16 points, 4 rebounds and 9 assists per game and was selected as a 2004 Provincial All-Star. With her contributions, the Oak Park Raiders won the Provincial Championships. During the season, Sam was recognized with MHSAA Athlete of the Week honours.

Jenny Ezirim, of Vincent Massey Collegiate in Winnipeg received several MVP selections in tournaments this season. Jenny had a 34 point game this season, and 6 different games over 26 points. Jenny maintains a 72% academic average and also scorekeeps basketball games. As the Trojans' captain, they captured the provincial silver medal and she was named to the all-star team and selected as the players' choice award winner.