www.yankton.net Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan ■ Tuesday, February 9, 2010 PAGE 11

is a big boy race, with 14 full-time Regardless of how she per- Pohlad Reiterates T-Wolves To Be Quiet In Trade Talks Sprint Cup Series drivers among forms, Patrick is guaranteed to MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The in the next 10 days. It would be a NASCAR the 53 entries. Among them are have an immense spotlight on her Minnesota Timberwolves remain mistake of epic proportions.” Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Kyle the rest of the week. Twins Desire To From Page 10 Busch, and Patrick’s boss, Dale She’s been the central figure of focused on evaluation and determi- That means point guards Jonny Earnhardt Jr. Speedweeks since her arrival Keep Mauer nation of the core players they’ll Flynn and Ramon Sessions, perime- The Cup drivers have won nine Thursday, and has been constantly commit to beyond this rebuilding ter players Corey Brewer and Ryan crash-filled ARCA race at Daytona of the last 10 Nationwide races at swarmed by media and fans every- MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The season and the approaching NBA Gomes and power forwards Al International Speedway, where she Daytona, dating back to 2005 when time she steps into the garage. Her Minnesota Twins have been spend- trade deadline doesn’t factor in to Jefferson and Kevin Love have the successfully dodged one of the Martin Truex Jr. won it in a JR participation brought a whole new ing their way out of that small-budg- that process, president of basketball rest of the season to prove their sloppiest events in recent memory. Motorsports car. level of interest to the typically et image, mirroring the imminent operations David Kahn said worth and their fit with coach Kurt She pulled off a masterful save on a Kelley Earnhardt, general man- overlooked ARCA Series, and will increase in revenue from their new Monday. Rambis’s triangle scheme. First- slide through the infield grass, fell ager and part owner of JRM, does- undoubtedly do the same for ballpark with a big spike in player So don’t expect the round draft pick Ricky Rubio is part to the back of the field, and still n’t think Patrick will take the team NASCAR at a time when the auto salary commitments. Timberwolves to make any more of that process too, a world away in managed to drive her way to a back to Victory Lane on Saturday. racing series is looking at anyway Lead owner Jim Pohlad said it’s a than a minor move before the Feb. Spain, but Kahn again ruled out a sixth-place finish. But she doesn’t think Patrick, possible to re-ignite fan interest. sustainable development. So even if 18 cutoff for making deals, until the trade this year. So it came as no surprise that who joins Chrissy Wallace as the Earnhardt has seen circus-like the Twins sign Joe Mauer to a mam- swapping and signing of players can “We’ve gotten calls on him, of after taking a day to catch her only women entered, will stink up celebrity before, first with her moth contract extension, they’re begin again in July. course, but there’s no way I would breath, Patrick decided she should the show, either. father, the late Dale Earnhardt, and not afraid it would cost too much to “I know that we won’t do some- do anything with him now. indeed make her NASCAR debut “My dream scenario is she again with brother Dale Earnhardt keep a contending-caliber core of thing dramatic,” Kahn said, adding: Absolutely none,” Kahn said. “He’s this weekend in the second-tier would be up there in the top five Jr. players around the American “Firm as firm can be. Absolutely. We still young, and I still think he can be Nationwide Series race at Daytona. competing for the win,” Earnhardt And even though Dale Jr. is League MVP. will not move one of the big people one of the better point guards to She’d been previously praised said Monday. “My reasonable annually named NASCAR’s most “I think Target Field puts us in for declaring Daytona not the right expectation is that she just finish- popular driver, it’s been quite some better position to make sure that we place to make her NASCAR debut, es, and brings the car home and time since his big sister has seen have a competitive team from year but after holding her own in the maybe gets a top 15. From a car such intense interest at the track. to year,” Pohlad said Monday. ARCA race, everyone anticipated owner standpoint, she showed “I’ve been in situations with “Names will come and names will the about-face that came Monday. Saturday that she can make good both of them that have seemed go, but overall the objective is “Racing in the Nationwide decisions and not put other cars in very chaotic, but with Danica, it always to have the best team on the Series race was my goal during this jeopardy. seemed like there were always at field.” entire two-month preparation “Now, going forward, if some- least 200 people swamping her,” The Pohlad family has consis- process, but we wanted to make thing catastrophic happens this Earnhardt said. “I was really in awe, tently followed a model of keeping sure it was the right thing to do,” Saturday, you’ve still got last week because I haven’t seen something the annual player payroll pegged to she said. “The ARCA race was a to look back on and say ‘We came like that in our sport for awhile. 50 percent of team revenue, though blast, and I’m not ready for my first out of that OK.’ I think that takes You see a crowd moving through in rebuilding years it’s fallen well Daytona Speedweeks to end just some of the pressure off and allows the garage, and you know that Dale below that. At the Metrodome, yet. I want more racing.” her to go into her first NASCAR (Jr.) is coming, but with Danica, this there wasn’t as much money com- She’ll get it, too. Saturday’s race race not worried about her debut.” was definitely different.” ing in. This year, though, the payroll will rise by roughly $30 million to a team record above $95 million. “All new ballparks have their ened medal expectations after fin- said I really want to go into the peaks, and I’m sure the initial years ishing first through fourth at a Olympics as the favorite because will be very good to the Twins,” NOTES World Cup event in Lake Placid, that would mean I was skiing N.Y., last month. Hannah Kearney, incredibly well and dominating. Pohlad said. “Then it’ll be up to us From Page 9 to sustain it after that, but the ball- Shannon Bahrke and Heather But you know what, being the park itself I think can sustain it for a McPhie all finished on the podi- ‘underdog’ is easier.” long time.” um, with Michelle Roark fourth. UNBEATABLE BUT INSPIRA- In a question-and-answer ses- “It’s really difficult to do with “It’s incredible to be part of a TIONAL: The brass for Canada’s sion with reporters in a conference how the economy is now,” U.S. sweep right before the snowboard team spent a good room overlooking a snow-covered Johnson said. “It’s huge sacrifice games, and maybe it is pressure portion of their half-hour press Target Field, Pohlad dismissed the for us. Nick and I should be mov- and more attention from conference talking about notion that the team has been try- ing onto college, but we’re sacri- American media,” Kearney said. increased funding and what it ing to disprove a tightfisted reputa- ficing that part of our life for our “But I would be excited to get the means to their squads. They tion. sport. And it’s an even bigger sac- public behind us because we talked at length about how the “We’re not trying to show peo- rifice for our family to work that have four people with a really best support in the program’s his- ple,” he said. “We’re trying to do extra bit to keep that Olympic good chance at a medal, so tune tory had produced the best what we said we’re going to do.” dream alive for us.” in.” Canadian teams ever, citing 26 Pohlad declined to discuss They stay in the cheapest Any added pressure on the World Cup and championships specifics about negotiations with hotels they can find, wax their U.S. team is nothing, however, medals last season as an exam- Mauer on a new deal, citing a pledge own skis and even sew their own to the catcher and his agent to keep compared to the hype surround- ple, and boldly called for up to ski suits to keep going. ing Canadian gold-medal favorite five medals as 2010 Olympic the details private. He said he’s “It’s just a leap of faith that “absolutely not active at all” in the Jennifer Heil. Notably absent at hosts. one day we will get funding if the recent American-dominated They were not, however, pre- process, but reiterated the team’s results are improving,” Frenette desire to keep the homegrown star races in Lake Placid, Heil is the dicting any upset of American said. defending Olympic champion. Shaun White, the reigning gold around for good. They have, with Alexander, a Pohlad said the Twins aren’t “I can sort of imagine what it medalist in the halfpipe. interested in the possibility of 21-year-old from Lebanon, N.H., would be like, put myself in her “That would be a pleasant sur- deferred compensation as a way to qualifying for six International Ski shoes, and I don’t envy it,” said prise,” said Christian Hrab, direc- make a rich long-term contract like Federation (FIS) World Cups. Kearney, a World Cup champion tor of high-performance for Mauer’s work. Anders Johnson, 20, competed in who went into the 2006 Games as Canada’s snowboard teams. “They make you feel real good at Turin, Italy, in 2006 before blow- a medal favorite but never made “We can give thanks to Shaun the time, and then later on you wish JAMES D. CIMBUREK/P&D ing out his knee last summer, and it out of qualifying. “It depends for pushing snowboarding — not you hadn’t done that,” Pohlad said. Wynot’s Ashley Schmidt attacks the basket against Homer’s Frenette is coming off a top-20 fin- how she handles it, but I did just just our team but all the world’s He also indicated an openness to Breanna Nogelmeier during the championship of the Lewis & Clark ish in Japan. As if the pressure of learn that Canada has never won teams and all of snowboarding — signing Mauer for nine or 10 years, if Conference Girls’ Basketball Tournament Monday in Laurel, Neb. making it past Olympic qualifying a gold medal as an Olympic host. and inventing the future, if you that’s what it would take. First base- weren’t enough, they are keenly She seems like she’s got it pretty will. What he’s done and what he man Justin Morneau’s six-year con- away how much a strong showing well figured out how not to inter- is doing is fantastic. He’s helped a tract signed two years ago is the The Bulldogs won their sixth would mean to their sport. game of the season bring their nalize those things and have it lot of people open their eyes to current Twins record. “Ski jumping isn’t exactly a affect her performance, but who the possibilities of acrobatics in “I don’t think six is a magic num- GIRLS record to 6-9. huge sport in the U.S., and it’s ber,” Pohlad said, adding: “Total For the Raiders (1-15), Natalie knows? At one point this season I the half pipe.” From Page 9 kind of a constant struggle for us value is what drives it. We do not Harkness supplied eight points. to make it well known,” said have a term policy.” The Bulldogs will host Baltic Johnson, who came back from a Since last August, the Twins on Friday, while the Raiders will torn ACL in July in just three have added multimillion-dollar play- Vermillion Tanagers past West travel to Wathill, Neb. today Speed Queen Central 60-35 Monday night in months and qualified for the ers in Orlando Hudson, Jim Thome, (Tuesday). Olympics at the last minute. “It’s J.J. Hardy, Carl Pavano and Jon Vermillion. HURLEY (6-9) ...... 11 25 43 62 Rauch. Fans, though, should not Hannah Nehlich-Arobba GAYVILLE-VOLIN (1-15) ...... 11 21 28 46 definitely tough for us because Laundry it’s all we do! expect a spree like that every year. notched 11 points and four we don’t have much support, and “We’re not going to spend the assists for the Tanagers (4-12), Avon 56, Marty Indian 33 finances are pretty rough for our Only available at... money just to spend the money,” while Sarah Day supplied 10 MARTY — Lanae VanGerpen team. We do best we can, but it Pohlad said, adding: “We’re going to points. landed 17 points and eight takes a few breakthrough results try to put the best team on the field For the Trojans (8-8), Hilary rebounds to lead the Avon Lady to get yourself known.” in the most prudent financial way, Mettler had 11 points, while Pirates past Marty Indian School WOMEN’S MOGULS TEAM: and I think we accomplished that Jaclyn Ketcham added eight 56-33 Monday night in Marty. The U.S. Olympic women’s APPLIANCE this year.” points and five rebounds. Shayna Nagel added 12 points moguls team arrived in 920 Broadway • 665-9461 Asked about general manager The Tanagers will travel to for the Lady Pirates (8-7), while Vancouver on Monday to height- Bill Smith’s praise last year for the Gina Cuka grabbed nine ownership’s approval of the late- Dakota Valley today (Tuesday), season acquisitions, Pohlad while the Trojans will host rebounds. quipped: “I think it was time for his Beresford today (Tuesday). For the Braves (1-11), Kishelle VERMILLION (4-12) ...... 10 24 49 60 Shields tallied 15 points and review.” WEST CENTRAL (8-8) ...... 8 13 23 35 Pohlad also reiterated the fami- eight rebounds. ly’s philosophy of trusting the front Hurley 62, Gayville-Volin 46 The Lady Pirates will host office to take care of the roster and Viborg today (Tuesday), while GAYVILLE — Jasmyn Hansen the Braves travel to Santee, Neb. not meddling or micromanaging in had 26 points to lead the Hurley the day-to-day operations of the for the Dakota Plains Invitational organization. The family has a small Bulldogs past Gayville-Volin 62-46 Tournament on Thursday. Monday night in Gayville. AVON (8-7) ...... 21 33 44 56 See You At The empire of business interests, and MARTY INDIAN (1-11)...... 5 10 17 33 DakotaDome! Bush was obtained by a stroke of ninth winning season in their 43 good fortune in the draft, and the years, the Saints became champi- SAINTS Saints sold out their season tickets. ons. Long-suffering fans throughout They went to the NFC champi- the city shot off fireworks, danced From Page 9 onship for the first time that first in the streets and on rooftops, and season back in New Orleans. celebrated a team, and maybe a Doubleheader Vs. And on Sunday, after only their city, reborn. cian. “They’ve come along and we’ve come along.” Chicago State For her, it was a moment of joy surrounded by stark reality. Her street is dotted by boarded-up Thursday, February 11th Game sponsored by homes, abandoned by flood victims who were unable to come back or couldn’t find the will to rebuild. 6:00PM Tipoff - Women “One house after the other is 8:00PM Tipoff - Men empty,” said Schexnyder, whose own house is still being rebuilt. “I Halftime - Hoops for Loot Contest had some bad luck with contrac- tors. I have extension cords around the house. My plumbing is not fin- One contestant could win ished. FEMA took my trailer away.” a 42” HD LCD TV and The Saints were temporarily relocated to San Antonio after $1,027 Cash from Katrina. In exile like the rest of the city, the players lived out of hotels and did weight training at Gold’s Gyms. They went 3-13 that season Game sponsored by and for a while practiced at a high Doubleheader Vs. school. Meanwhile, San Antonio’s mayor said he had set up talks with New Jersey Tech team owner Tom Benson about moving the club to Texas. Even the Saturday, February 13th future of the Louisiana Superdome, where thousands sought refuge after Katrina, was in doubt. 6:00PM Tipoff - Women • 8:00PM Tipoff - Men “They wanted to tear down the Superdome! You can’t do that to Halftime - Red Dawgs Wheelchair Basketball Exhibition us,” said Lacey Hyer, holding a mimosa after a noisy, all-night party 3:30 - Exhibition Wheelchair Basketball Game in the French Quarter. Red Dawgs vs. Vermillion All Stars The stars had begun to align for the Saints by 2006. The Dome was Call (605) 677-5959 or visit www.usdcoyotes.com for ticket information. fixed up. Payton and quarterback Drew Brees were brought in. Get your seat to USD Coyote basketball TODAY! Heisman Trophy winner Reggie