⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Two weeks removed from a rumored commitment to transfer to Alabama, the Grant Nelson Watch continues with no public change. Sunday morning brought an unexpected development as he was spotted at a local grocery store. As a native NoDak it isn't the biggest surprise that he's around during the most enjoyable part of the 12-month calendar. But that he's here instead of settling into an apartment and community where he will next be lacing-up his shoes is a surprise. A premature conclusion to jump to would be that it indicates he's not leaving after all so let's put that to bed.
That he's still in Fargo as July looms is a worthwhile note but it remains anyone's guess as to when the social media post goes out from the Cheat Code's accounts.
So it's an update without much to actually update, that's Summer sports in the Valley for you...
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The next most prominent development also happened Sunday as the three-time state A Sheyenne boys golf team was ranked 17th in the country!
Just to be redundant, that is of all high school's from coast to coast, with Minnesota & South Dakota's best checking in at 39 & 40.
It's one thing for baseball to be producing as many individual and team successes as they have been in recent years because they can work indoors on so many things even as Winter drags on every single Spring but golfers breaking through onto national stages is an animal of a different sort because it takes so long for the courses to open. Granted, golf now has quality year-round facilities as well which could accelerate improvement but to be regarded as a top-20 team in the nation already can't be attributed to that more than a slight amount.
It followed that their top individual would also be well-regarded, with Nate Peyerl falling just outside the top-80.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Prep & college also made waves from the East of the River as Moorhead & Concordia were announced as participants in next January's Hockey Day MN in Warroad. The Spuds will face Wayzata in the second game Saturday while the Cobbers will skate against St. Olaf, Friday. ICYMI, here's how you can secure a spot to take in the event.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For those whose mind never wanders far from the football field, the Purple also opened the doors to tickets for their training camp.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Getting to see Tennessee & Arizona for the joint practices is good stuff but the Hoopin' Howl had even more consequential developments as they found their way to two first round-possible players in Thursday's draft. That they both fell out of the top-30 picks means they may not be game to impact from the season opener but continues the trend that Connelly had going in Denver of finding talent in places where it is thought not to be.
Pick 33 that they acquired from San Antonio, Leonard Miller, seemed like Naz Reid insurance until Sunday afternoon when the team & the player agreed on a 3 year, $42,000,000 extension. It could be further proof of an inevitable trade of either Towns or Gobert OR could be a doubling-down on the size movement of last Summer. Only time will truly tell but it keeps a fan favorite who had shown his best stuff off the bench last season in the building for the foreseeable future.
As for the other draft pick, swingman Jaylen Clark will step onto the court as a respected defender as soon as he is physically able and can develop his offense over time with no pressure thanks to Towns & Edwards. Clark doesn't have quite the same measurables of Kawhi Leonard but the 15th-overall pick in 2011 from San Diego St. could prove to be a fair comp.
We'll see Miller and the others who are vying for spots in the Association beginning early next month!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was also a big week for former Moorhead State track stars as Jennifer Jahnke was announced as a Northern Sun Hall of Fame inductee while Nadir Yusuf qualified for Olympic Trials in Duluth's Grandma's Marathon!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
With several other options to choose from, Minnesota's nine will get the final spot thanks to Byron Buxton as he had the most explosive single game in the Majors since May of 2013.
79 games into the season it's very clear that when the pitchers aren't able to hold the opposing offense to three or fewer runs the Twinks will be in trouble. But on Thursday, and for four of the last five games, the pitchers and hitters found a decent coexistence.
Will it last? Won't be holding breath for that, but perhaps the former gold glove centerfielder's power-surge was the necessary spark to get him and the rest of the offense from the hard idle that they had been in.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June & July are often referred to as the sports abyss but significant developments keep on coming to stave it off! 🤞 that news & achievements keep coming until the Fall flood commences.
Comments