Before the season Rodney Carney wasn’t expected to sometimes move ahead of McCants in the rotation of players at shooting guard, but he has. Carney, acquired during the off-season from Philadelphia in a trade, has brought energy, three point shooting and spectacular dunks to the Wolves.
Carney is a former high school sprinter whose speed sometimes allows him to reach loose balls or race down court ahead of other players. Still trying to find himself, Carney is a third year pro averaging 5.3 points for the Wolves, and 6.0 in his career.
Carney told Sports Headliners that since Kevin McHale took over as coach in December he’s been more comfortable, not so conscious of making mistakes. Carney describes McHale as a player’s coach, “just one of the guys” who can enjoy the team camaraderie.
“He has confidence in us,” Carney said. “I love playing for him.”
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor enjoys spending part of the winter in southwest Florida.
Nationally ranked and undefeated Hopkins has four of the 15 leading candidates for Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball award. The 15 listed alphabetically by school are: Josh Figini, Chisago Lakes; Rodney Williams, Cooper; Mike Bruesewitz, Henry Sibley; Chris Halvorsen, Henry Sibley; Mike Broghammer, Hopkins; Raymond Cowels, Hopkins; Trent Lockett, Hopkins; Royce White, Hopkins; Sam Dower, Osseo; Tydan Storrusten, Pelican Rapids; Mike Felt, Redwood Valley; Mike Muscala, Roseville; Jordair Jett, St. Bernard’s; Nate Wolters, St. Cloud Tech; Marc Sonnen, Tartan.
Three MIAC women’s basketball student-athletes are on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 5 team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Macalester junior center Ann Baltzer (Bismarck, N.D., Psychology – 3.67 GPA), Concordia senior guard Jenna Freudenberg (Parkers Prairie, Minn., Exercise Science – 3.77 GPA), and Macalester junior forward Trina PaStarr (Minneapolis, Environmental Studies – 3.80 GPA) were named to the Academic All-District third team.
Vikings’ center Matt Birk has closed his St. Paul restaurant, Matty B’s.
Athletic director Al Molde and school alum Don Swanson are hosting a reception for new Gustavus Adolphus football coach Peter Haugen from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Louis Park. The public is welcome and more details are available by calling Swanson at 763-533-9083.
Haugen, the successful former Washburn High School coach, is being succeeded by one of his assistants, Giavin Jenkins.