Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, an eight year veteran, said coach Brad Childress was too serious when he started coaching the team in 2007. “He’s gotten way better,” McKinnie said.
Although USC might not look as attractive now because of NCAA imposed football sanctions, incoming 2010 recruits like Cretin-Derham Hall prep All-American tackle Seantrel Henderson are committed to the Trojans unless they can obtain scholarship releases and want to red shirt for a year at another school. Among the sanctions facing the Trojans are a two-year ban from post-season play and three-year reduction of 30 scholarships. Interestingly, USC juniors and seniors can transfer and be immediately eligible elsewhere.
Basketball guard Tyus Jones, who played for Apple Valley High School last season as an eighth grader, has a younger brother, Trey, who is also impressive. Trey has been playing AAU basketball for a sixth grade team even though he just finished fourth grade. His coach, John Sherman, told Sports Headliners that Trey shows potential to possibly be better than Tyus who is already a recruiting target for major colleges.
Sherman, also a sportswriter for Sun Newspapers, coached the Minnesota Transitions high school team to the Class A state title in 2010. With four of his six players returning, Sherman expects another outstanding team next winter.
Klay Thompson, the Washington State guard who averaged 19.6 points per game last season as a sophomore, could be chosen on the first or second round of next year’s NBA draft. His dad, former Gophers All-American Mychal Thompson, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1978 draft.
Not that it’s expected but if manager Ron Gardenhire left the Twins, Rockies coach Don Baylor’s name might surface as a candidate. Baylor is a coach with the Rockies, played on the Twins 1987 World Series championship team and once managed the Rockies and Cubs.
Gardenhire talks about first baseman Justin Morneau “carrying” the team in the following story: https://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=5311771
Rookie catcher Drew Butera, who pinch hit against the Phillies and hit his first big league home run last Saturday, played five seasons in the minor leagues from 2005-2009. Known for his catching ability, Butera had these modest hitting totals in 1,419 at bats: .214. batting average, 21 home runs and 154 RBI.
This Saturday Canterbury Park celebrates 25 years since its opening in 1985. The Shakopee racetrack, then known as Canterbury Downs, opened on June 26, 1985. Admission is free all season at Canterbury.