In a stunning move late Wednesday afternoon, the Minnesota Timberwolves fired general manger Gersson Rosas.  Rosas has been the president of basketball operations in Minnesota since 2019.  The move comes as the team is just on the cusps of beginning training camp and Wolves media day is scheduled for this coming Monday.  According to further reporting by the online sports outlet “The Athletic,”  Rosas was fired due to an inappropriate workplace relationship, contributing to a general toxic culture within the organization.  Sachin Gupta has been named the interim president of basketball operations to replace Rosas for the time being. 

The Minnesota Wild held an in-person press conference Wednesday to officially announce the resigning of Russian star Kirill Kaprizov.  Kaprizov has been in the United States long enough to go through quarantine, is now fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and will be ready to be on the ice day one of training camp. 

The negotiations took much longer than anticipated, but according to Wild General Manager Bill Guiern, the two sides met in Florida for the first time face-to-face and that is what got the deal done...

Augustana University has announced the college will be adding a women’s lacrosse team in 2023.  This is the second new sport the school has announced this summer, along with men’s ice hockey and will be the first collegiate lacrosse program in South Dakota.  In a release, the school says this is the latest part of the “Viking Bold” plan which is a strategic plan through 2030.  According to the National Federation of High School Associations women’s lacrosse has grown across the country from 30,000 players at the high school level, to nearly 100,000 over the last 10 years. 

One year removed from his selection in the 2020 NBA Draft, Leandro Bolmaro is thrilled to make the move to the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2021-22.

“I’m really excited, I’ve waited for this moment for a long time, [and] I’ve worked like crazy to be here,” said the Argentinian product. “For me, this is a dream come true…”

Though Bolmaro hasn’t been able to take the hardwood at the NBA level quite yet, the 6-foot-6 playmaker has shown several qualities that should immediately translate to the world’s biggest basketball stage.

“He guards his position, he guards multiple positions, and he can play well without the ball in his hands,” said Head Coach Chris Finch on Bolmaro's NBA transition.

Bolmaro has formed relationships with many on staff and in the locker room already, including veteran newcomer Patrick Beverley. Beverley and Bolmaro, both known for their coast-to-coast defensive abilities, could prove to be a dangerous defensive backcourt duo as the season progresses.

For now, the 21-year-old rookie will turn his attention towards Timberwolves Training Camp and preparing for his first NBA season.

CLASS AA

O’Gorman (14) 6-0 70 1

S.F. Washington 7-0 56 2

Pierre 8-1 35 4

S.F. Lincoln 9-2 30 3

Harrisburg 8-3 15 5

Receiving votes: Brandon Valley (6-4) 2; S.F. Roosevelt (8-4) 2

CLASS A

S.F. Christian (14) 10-0 70 1

Dakota Valley 8-2 51 2

R.C. Christian 11-0 42 3

Garretson 10-1 21 5

Hill City 10-0 14 RV

Receiving Votes: Winner (9-2) 11; Florence-Henry (11-2) 1

CLASS B

Bridgewater-Emery (10) 12-0 59 4

Warner (2) 13-2 40 2

Wolsey-Wessington (2) 8-1 39 1

Aberdeen Christian 10-1 24 NR

Northwestern 13-3 18 3

Receiving Votes: Chester Area (14-3) 16; Platte-Geddes (13-1) 14

CLASS 11AAA

Harrisburg (21) 4-0 109 1

Brandon Valley (1) 4-0 89 2

Jefferson 3-1 60 3

Lincoln 3-1 43 4

Washington 2-2 27 5

Receiving Votes: O’Gorman 1, Roosevelt 1. 

Class 11AA

Tea Area (19) 4-0 107 1

Pierre (3) 3-1 86 2

Brookings 3-1 66 5

Aberdeen Central 3-1 40 3

Yankton 2-2 26 4

Receiving Votes: Watertown 5.

Class 11A

Canton (21) 4-0 109 1

Madison (1) 4-0 87 2

Dell Rapids  3-1 63 3

West Central 3-1 39 4

Lennox 3-1 19 5

Receiving Votes: Sioux Falls Christian 13.

Class 11B

Winner (22) 5-0 110 1

Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan 3-1 80 2

Sioux Valley 3-1 66 3

Aberdeen Roncalli 4-0 43 4
T5. McCook Cent./Montrose 3-1 8 5
T5. Elk Point-Jefferson 3-1 8 RV

Receiving Votes: Woonsocket/Wess. Springs/Sanborn Central 6, Groton Area 3, Mount Vernon/Plankinton 3, Wagner 2, Hot Springs 1.  

Class 9AA

Hanson (21) 4-0 109 1

Platte-Geddes 3-1 67 3

Florence/Henry (1) 5-0 53 4

Chester Area 3-1 22 5

Canistota/Freeman 3-2 21 RV

Receiving Votes: Garretson 20, Parkston 17, Hamlin 11, Ipswich 6, Timber Lake 4. 

Class 9A

De Smet (20) 5-0 107 1

Howard (1) 5-0 87 2

Herreid/Selby Area 5-0 62 3

Wolsey-Wessington 3-1 38 4

Wall (1) 5-0 32 5

Receiving Votes: Castlewood 1.

Class 9B

Gayville-Volin (16) 3-0 95 1

Faulkton Area (2) 4-1 81 2

Avon (3) 4-0 75 3

Harding Co./Bison (1) 3-1 50 4

Potter County 4-1 28 5

Receiving Votes: Hitchcock-Tulare 1.

 The Minnesota Timberwolves have come to terms with two restricted free agents, keeping them with the team.  First the Wolves resigned forward Jarred Vanderbilt to a three-year $13.8 million deal.  Vanderbilt is 22 years old and was selected by the Orlando Magic in the second round, 41^st overall in the 2018 NBA draft out of the University of Kentucky.  He came to Minnesota February 5^th 2020 via trade with the Denver Nuggets.  Then the Wolves came to terms with restricted free agent Jordan McLaughlin.  McLaughlin’s deal is for three years and is a two-way contract with the Wolves developmental team.  McLaughlin is 25 years old and was undrafted out of USC in 2018.  He signed a two way contract with Minnesota in 2020 after spending time in the Brooklyn Nets organization. 

For the second time this season, Aberdeen native Laura Babcock was named the North Star Athletic Association's Defender of the week.

Babcock helped lead the Saints to a 5-0 record on the week, including a sweep of the Bobcat Classic in Peru, NE. Behind her stellar defense the Saints were able to win all four matches at the classic in straight sets.

Babcock averaged at least seven digs per set three times during the week. She compiled a total of 109 digs, while averaging 6.8 digs per set. On top of that, she also totalled 12 service aces.

Plans are in the works for a major renovation of Frost Arena on the SDSU campus, and it's getting a new name in the process.

University President Barry Dunn announced Monday that Brookings-based First Bank and Trust is donating $20 million dollars toward the project, and will assume naming rights to what will be known as First Bank and Trust Arena.

It's the largest single gift in the history of SDSU.

Athletic Director Justin Sell says the project will include an interactive space that will highlight the history of SDSU athletics, in addition to being the new home of the Jackrabbit Sports Hall of Fame:

The total cost of the renovation is expected to be around $50 million dollars.

The project is pending approval of the South Dakota Board of Regents. 

Class 11AAA
1. Harrisburg (21) 2-0 113 1
2. Brandon Valley (2) 2-0 94 2
3. O’Gorman 1-1 48 4
4. SF Lincoln 2-0 42 RV
5. SF Jefferson 1-1 27 5
Receiving votes: RC Stevens 12, SF Washington 6, SF Roosevelt 3. 

Class 11AA
1. Tea Area (18) 2-0 107 T1
2. Pierre (5) 1-1 90 3
3. Aberdeen Central 2-0 71 RV
4. Yankton 1-1 28 T1
5. Watertown 1-1 25 4
Receiving votes: Brookings 23, Mitchell 1. 

Class 11A
1. Canton (21) 2-0 113 1
2. Madison (2) 2-0 92 2
3. Dell Rapids  1-1 48 3
4. SF Christian 2-0 46 4
5. Lennox 2-0 31 T5
Receiving votes: West Central 9, Tri-Valley 3, Vermillion 3.

Class 11B
1. Winner (23) 3-0 115 1
2. Sioux Valley 2-1 78 2
3. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan 2-1 76 3
4. Aberdeen Roncalli 3-0 35 T4
5. Elk Point-Jefferson 2-0 24 T4
Receiving votes: Woonsocket/Wess. Springs/Sanborn Central 9, Mount Vernon/Plankinton 5, McCook Central/Montrose 3. 

Class 9AA
1. Platte-Geddes (23) 2-0 115 1
2. Hanson 3-0 88 3
3. Garretson 2-1 45 4
4. Chester Area 3-0 35 RV
5. Florence/Henry 3-0 24 RV
Receiving votes: Canistota/Freeman 23, Lyman 6, Hamlin 4, Timber Lake 4, Ipswich 1. 

Class 9A
1. De Smet (22) 3-0 114 1
2. Howard (1) 3-0 91 2
3. Herreid/Selby Area 3-0 56 4
4. Wolsey-Wessington 1-1 42 3
5. Wall 3-0 36 5
Receiving votes: Kimball/White Lake 3, Castlewood 2, Kadoka Area 1. 

Class 9B
1. Gayville-Volin (13) 2-0 90 3
2. Faulkton Area (1) 2-1 71 4
3. Harding Co./Bison (5) 1-1 67 2
4. Avon (3) 2-0 43 RV
5. Sully Buttes 2-1 40 1
Receiving votes: Hitchcock-Tulare (1) 34.

CLASS AA
1. O’Gorman (14) 4-0 75 1
2. S.F. Washington 3-0 60 2
3. S.F. Lincoln 6-1 43 3
4. Pierre 4-0 16 RV
5. Brandon Valley 3-3 15 4
RECEIVING VOTES: Harrisburg (5-3) 14; S.F. Roosevelt (1-3) 2

CLASS A
1. S.F. Christian (14) 6-0 75 1
2. Dakota Valley 3-0 58 2
3. Winner 4-0 44 3
4. R.C. Christian 7-0 30 4
5. Garretson 7-0 8 RV
RECEIVING VOTES: Hamlin (7-0) 5; Hill City (7-0) 3; Madison (5-2) 2

CLASS B
1. Wolsey-Wessington (6) 3-0 61 5
2. Northwestern (5) 7-1 55 2
3. Warner 3-1 50 1
4. Bridgewater-Emery (2) 4-0 27 4
5. Chester Area 5-2 23 3
RECEIVING VOTES: Faulkton Area (1 first place vote; 3-0) 7; Gregory (6-0) 1; Platte-Geddes (5-0)

The Minnesota Vikings announced Wednesday, the team has placed tight end Irv Smith Jr. on the injured reserve.  Smith injured his meniscus in the last pre-season game of the season and needs to undergo surgery to repair the damage.  Due to Smith going down for the season the team is trying to address the tight end position through both trade and now free agency.  The Vikings announced Wednesday the team has claimed tight end Ben Ellefson off waivers.  Ellefson joined Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and is a former North Dakota State Bison. 

The Northern State Wolves football team will play its first football game in over 18 months tonight when it takes on Minnesota State-Mankato on the road.  Kick off will be at 6:00 p.m.  The Wolves and the rest of the NSIC missed the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This is also the first game under head coach Mike Schmidt. 

The Minnesota Vikings announce the team has traded a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to the New York Jets in exchange for TE Chris Herndon and a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The completion of this trade is pending Herndon passing a physical.

Herndon was a fourth-round selection (107th overall) by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft, where he spent the first three seasons of his career. While with the Jets, Herndon played in 33 games with 25 starts. He finished his three seasons with the Jets with 71 receptions for 796 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. The Norcross, Georgia native started 12 games his rookie season, where he was named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s 2018 All-Rookie Team, posting the second-most receiving yards by a rookie tight end (502) only trailing Baltimore’s Mark Andrews. Herndon played in one game in 2019 before ending the season on injured reserve. Returning from IR in 2020, he started in 13 games, hauling 287 yards on 31 receptions for three touchdowns.

Class 11AAA
1. Harrisburg (16) 1-0 88 1
2. Brandon Valley (2) 1-0 74 2
3. Roosevelt 0-0 51 3
4. O’Gorman 0-0 32 4
5. Jefferson 1-0 20 5
Receiving votes: Lincoln 4, Washington 1

Class 11AA
T1. Tea Area (5) 1-0 71 4
T1. Yankton (6) 1-0 71 3
3. Pierre (7) 0-1 68 1
4. Watertown 1-0 29 5
5. Brookings 0-1 16 2
Receiving votes: Aberdeen Central 14, Mitchell 1. 

 Class 11A
1. Canton (16) 1-0 88 1
2. Madison (1) 1-0 70 3
3. Dell Rapids (1) 0-1 47 2
4. SF Christian 1-0 23 RV
T5. Lennox 1-0 13 NR
T5. West Central 0-1 13 4
Receiving votes: Tri-Valley 7, Milbank 6, Dakota Valley 3. 

Class 11B
1. Winner (18) 2-0 90 1
2. Sioux Valley 1-1 62 3
3. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan 1-1 58 2
T4. Aberdeen Roncalli 2-0 23 RV
T4. Elk Point-Jefferson 1-0 23 5
Receiving votes: Woonsocket/Wess. Springs/Sanborn Central 12, Clark/Willow Lake 1, McCook Central/Montrose 1. 

Class 9AA
1. Platte-Geddes (18) 2-0 90 1
2. Canistota/Freeman 1-1 68 2
3. Hanson 1-0 52 3
4. Garretson 1-0 30 5
5. Timber Lake 2-0 14 RV
Receiving votes: Chester Area 7, Hamlin 4, Florence/Henry 3, Parkston 1, Viborg-Hurley 1. 

Class 9A
1. De Smet (18) 2-0 90 1
2. Howard 2-0 66 2
3. Wolsey-Wessington 0-1 43 3
4. Herreid/Selby Area 2-0 38 4
5. Wall 2-0 25 5
Receiving votes: Castlewood 4, Kimball/White Lake 2, Kadoka Area 1, Warner 1. 

Class 9B
1. Sully Buttes (11) 2-0 80 4
2. Harding Co./Bison (4) 1-1 54 1
3. Gayville-Volin (3) 1-0 40 5
4. Faulkton Area 1-1 39 2
5. Dell Rapids St. Mary 1-1 23 RV
Receiving votes: Hitchcock-Tulare 20, Avon 9, Alcester-Hudson 5.

CLASS AA
1. O’Gorman (12) 2-0 60 1
2. S.F. Washington 1-0 48 2
3. S.F. Lincoln 5-0 29 RV
4. Brandon Valley 3-2 20 5
5. Harrisburg 3-2 10 4
RECEIVING VOTES: S.F. Roosevelt (0-2) 7; Aberdeen Central (3-0) 3; Pierre (3-0) 3

CLASS A
1. S.F. Christian (12) 5-0 60 1
2. Dakota Valley 1-0 45 2
3. Winner 2-0 35 3
4. R.C. Christian 5-0 24 5
5. Madison 4-1 10 4
RECEIVING VOTES: Garretson (6-0) 3; Hill City (5-0) 2; Hamlin (5-0) 1

CLASS B
1. Warner (7) 1-0 54 2
2. Northwestern (5) 6-1 48 1
3. Chester Area 4-2 30 3
4. Bridgewater-Emery 2-0 22 4
5. Wolsey-Wessington 2-0 14 NR
RECEIVING VOTES: Burke (1-0) 6; Faulkton Area (1-0) 5; Estelline-Hendricks (5-0) 1

The Minnesota Vikings announce S Harrison Smith has signed a contract extension with the team.
In his 130 career regular-season games with 129 starts, Smith has totaled 557 solo tackles, 66 passes defended and 28 interceptions, the most in the NFL among all safeties since joining the league in 2012. Only Hall of Famer Paul Krause has started more games (150) at safety for the Vikings.
Smith was voted a Pro Bowl starter in 2019, making it his fifth consecutive season earning Pro Bowl honors. The longest-tenured Viking (10 seasons) ranks third all-time in Vikings history in tackles among defensive backs with 867 career tackles, according to coaches stats. Smith is the only player in franchise history with four career interception returns of more than 50 yards. The Knoxville, Tennessee native also holds the franchise record among defensive backs in career sacks (13.5) and ranks seventh all-time in team history in career interceptions (28).
The veteran safety was named 1st-Team All-Pro in 2017 by the Associated Press, Pro Football Writers of America and Sporting News. In 2018, he was named 2nd-Team All-Pro by the Associated Press. Smith was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year as part of the annual Minnesota Football Honors in 2017 and 2020. Smith has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week twice in his career, once at Green Bay (12/23/17) and once at San Francisco (9/9/18).

South Dakota State head football coach John Stiegelmeier has named Chris Oladokun as the starting quarterback for the team’s season opener against Colorado State Sept. 3^rd.  Oladokun is a senior graduate transfer who originally played for Samford.  He was in a battle for the starting job with Keaton Heide after prior starters Mark Gronowski and J’Bore Gibbs both suffered season ending injuries. 

Defending tournament champion South Dakota was selected to take home the Summit League Volleyball regular season title, garnering 78 points and six first-place votes in the preseason coaches’ poll released Wednesday by league officials.
 
The Coyotes have won at least a share of the regular season title twice since joining the league and edged 2020 Summit League regular season champions Denver by two points to take the top spot. The Pioneers were picked second with 76 total points, while earning the remaining four first-place votes.
 
Omaha totalled 62 points and was picked to finish third in the regular season for the fourth straight season. Kansas City took the fourth-place spot with 60 points while North Dakota State tallied 49 points and was picked fifth. Oral Roberts (36) edged South Dakota State (35) for sixth while North Dakota (23), league newcomer St. Thomas (18) and Western Illinois (13) rounded out the rankings.

2021 Summit League Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed defenseman Carson Lambos to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Lambos, 18, was selected by the Wild in the first round (26th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, spent a majority of last season on loan to JYP in Finland. He collected 11 points (2-9=11) in 13 games with their junior team and recorded three assists in two games with the JYP Under-18 Team. Lambos also played in two games with the Winnipeg Ice in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He tallied 32 points (8-24=32) including three game-winning goals, a plus-20 rating and 109 shots on goal in 57 games with Winnipeg in 2019-20. Lambos led WHL rookie defensemen in scoring, ranked T-1st in GWG, second in assists and T-2nd in goals. He represented Canada White at the 2017 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and tallied five assists in six games and was named a tournament All-Star.

The Northern State University volleyball team opens the 2021 season ranked No. 15 in the AVCA Preseason Poll released today. The Wolves earned 440 total points in the poll.
 
Northern is joined by NSIC opponents No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul, No. 7 Minnesota Duluth, No. 19 St. Cloud State, No. 24 Wayne State, (RV) Winona State, (RV) Southwest Minnesota State, (RV) Augustana, and (RV) Minnesota State.
 
The Wolves open the 2021 campaign next Friday and Saturday versus William Jewell, No. 25 Rockhurst, No. 18 Harding, and No. 8 Washburn down in Topeka, Kansas.
 

Others receiving votes and listed on two or more ballots: Texas A&M-Kingsville 162; Gannon 158; Southern Indiana 145; Northern Michigan 139; Winona State 123; Ferris State 119; Alaska-Anchorage 114; Azusa Pacific 93; Southwest Minnesota State 89; St. Cloud State University 73; Michigan Tech 72; Palm Beach Atlantic 65; Wingate 64; Hawai'i-Hilo 60; Lynn 60; Augustana (SD) 48; West Texas A&M 48; Findlay 45; Cal State L. A. 41; Flagler 32; Barry 27; Upper Iowa 25; Walsh 24; Chaminade 23; Nova Southeastern 21; West Florida 21; Central Washington 10; Saint Leo 10; Arkansas-Fort Smith 9; Minnesota State 9; Central Oklahoma 8; Missouri S&T 8; Biola University 6; Davenport 5; American International 4; Grand Valley State 3.
 

 

The Minnesota Vikings and veteran defensive end Everson Griffen have come to terms on a new contract to bring the longtime Viking home.  The terms of Griffen’s contract were not disclosed by the team.  Griffen spent his first 10 seasons in Minnesota after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft.  Last season he split time between the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions.

He talked about coming back to Minnesota... 

CLASS AA
1. O’Gorman (12)             60          
2. S.F. Washington           47          
3. S.F. Roosevelt               31          
4. Harrisburg      20          
5. Brandon Valley             13       
RECEIVING VOTES: R.C. Stevens 3; Huron 2; Watertown 2; S.F. Lincoln 2

CLASS A
1. S.F. Christian (12)        60          
2. Dakota Valley              47          
3. Winner            31          
4. Madison         16          
5. R.C. Christian 13          
RECEIVING VOTES: Parker 11; Hill City 1; Hamlin 1
CLASS B
1. Northwestern (11)      59          
2. Warner (1)     49          
3. Chester Area 36          
4. Bridgewater-Emery    20          
5. Burke               8             
RECEIVING VOTES: Faulkton Area 2; Aberdeen Roncalli 2; Arlington 1; Kimball-White Lake 1; Philip 1; Colman-Egan 1

Class 11AAA
1. Harrisburg (8) 0-0 72
2. Brandon Valley (7) 0-0 69
3. Roosevelt (1) 0-0 45
4. O’Gorman 0-0 30
5. Jefferson 0-0 10
Receiving votes: Washington 8, Lincoln 6 

Class 11AA
1. Pierre (13) 0-0 76
2. Brookings (2) 0-0 48
3. Yankton 0-0 39
4. Tea Area (1) 0-0 37
5. Watertown 0-0 14
Receiving votes: Aberdeen Central 12, Mitchell 7, Sturgis 4, Huron 3. 

Class 11A
1. Canton (9) 0-0 71
2. Dell Rapids (6) 0-0 61
3. Madison (1) 0-0 48
4. West Central 0-0 31
5. Dakota Valley 0-0 15
Receiving votes: Sioux Falls Christian 9, Milbank 4, Custer 1.

Class 11B
1. Winner (18) 1-0 90 1
2. Bridgewater-Emery/Ethan 1-0 72 2
3. Sioux Valley 0-1 49 3
4. Woon./Wess. Springs/SC 0-0 26 5
5. Elk Point-Jefferson 1-0 22 RV
Receiving votes: McCook Central/Montrose 5, Aberdeen Roncalli 3, St. Thomas More 2, Mobridge-Pollock 1

Class 9AA
1. Platte-Geddes (18) 1-0 90 1
2. Canistota/Freeman 0-1 58 2
3. Hanson 1-0 57 3
4. Hamlin 1-0 43 4
5. Garretson 1-0 11 NR
Receiving votes: Timber Lake 7, Viborg-Hurley 2, Chester Area 2. 

Class 9A
1. De Smet (18) 1-0 90 2
2. Howard 1-0 63 3
3. Wolsey-Wessington 0-1 53 1
4. Herreid/Selby Area 1-0 44 4
5. Wall 1-0 9 RV
Receiving votes: Castlewood 8, Kimball/White Lake 3, Kadoka Area 1, Warner 1. 

Class 9B
1. Harding Co./Bison (11) 1-0 82 2
2. Faulkton Area (6) 1-0 75 3
3. Alcester-Hudson 0-0 42 4
4. Sully Buttes 1-0 30 RV
5. Gayville-Volin (1) 1-0 28 NR
Receiving votes: Dell Rapids St. Mary 5, Avon 4, Faith 2, Hitchcock-Tulare 1, Potter County 1.

The Aberdeen Wings have announced three exhibition games in September to get ready for the upcoming regular season. The first game will be against the USHL’s Fargo Force Tuesday Sept. 7^th in Fargo.  Puck drop is at 12:00 p.m. The next two games will be Friday Sept. 10^th at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday Sept. 11^th at 3:00 p.m. vs. the North Iowa Bulls.  Those game will be played in Mason City Iowa.