DAVE CAMPBELL Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

United States goalkeeper Matthew Freese (25) stops a shot during the second half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match against Costa Rica, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Matt Freese shined in his shootout moment, and the Americans are moving onto the Gold Cup semifinals

June 29, 2025

Matt Freese made three saves in six shootout attempts to lead the U.S. to victory over Costa Rica in the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup. He used a college research project on penalty kicks to help him prepare for this match. The 26-year-old native of Pennsylvania has displaced for now 2022 World Cup and 2023 Gold Cup starter Matt Turner. Freese knocked away shootout attempts by Juan Pablo Vargas, Francisco Calvo and Andy Rojas as the Americans won 4-3 after a 2-2 tie in regulation. The U.S. plays Guatamela in the semifinals.

United States goalkeeper Matthew Freese celebrates with teammates after winning a penalty kick shootout of a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals soccer match against Costa Rica, Sunday, June 29, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

US gets past Costa Rica in Gold Cup quarterfinals on penalty kicks

June 29, 2025

Damion Downs scored in the sixth round of a shootout after three saves by Matt Freese, sending the U.S. to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 4-3 penalty-kicks win over Costa Rica after a a 2-2 tie. The U.S. advanced to a Wednesday matchup in St. Louis against Guatemala, which upset Canada on penalty kicks in the opener of the quarterfinal doubleheader. Mexico plays Honduras in the other semifinal on Wednesday in Santa Clara, California. The championship is in Houston on July 6. The U.S. has reached the semifinals in 17 of 18 Gold Cups, including 13 straight since losing a quarterfinal to Colombia on penalty kicks in 2000.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, top, reaches to steal the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso during the second half of Game 4 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs Monday, May 26, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Can Timberwolves keep Randle, Reid, and Alexander-Walker? Connelly says continuity is best

June 3, 2025

The Minnesota Timberwolves have plenty of reason to run back the same roster after reaching the Western Conference finals for the second straight time. That was their initial assessment last year as well before the big trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks went down right before the beginning of training camp. President of basketball operations Tim Connelly said he doesn’t feel pressure to make roster changes out of confidence in the team’s core. Keeping Julius Randle, Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will be difficult. All three players could become free agents.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren dunks against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half of Game 4 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs Monday, May 26, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Shai’s sidekicks Williams and Holmgren give Thunder a big boost in Game 4 win vs. T-wolves

May 27, 2025

Even the NBA MVP needs a wing man. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has two. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren were so good in their own ways that a 40-point, 10-assist, nine-rebound performance by Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals for Oklahoma City was somehow overshadowed. Williams had 13 of his 34 points in the first quarter for the scoring to match a tenacious start following a 42-point loss in Game 3. Holmgren had nine of his 21 points in the fourth quarter plus seven rebounds and three blocks. The Thunder took a 3-1 series lead by beating Minnesota 128-126.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots against Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid during the second half of Game 4 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs Monday, May 26, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Thunder bounce back to beat T-wolves 128-126 to take 3-1 lead behind SGA’s 40-point game

May 26, 2025

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in a steely performance befitting the NBA MVP and the Oklahoma City Thunder snapped back from a 42-point loss by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-126 in Game 4 to take a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference finals. Jalen Williams scored 34 points on 13-for-24 shooting, including 6 of 9 from 3-point range. Chet Holmgren added 21 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in a statement game in his hometown that helped the Thunder stave off several pushes by the Wolves to tie the series.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) passes against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, center, and forward Jaden McDaniels, right, during the first half of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Thunder face rare test of fortitude after Wolves’ recommitment to throwing ‘fastball’ on defense

May 25, 2025

The Oklahoma City Thunder found all kinds of soft spots in the defense and consistently hit those open shots over two decisive wins to start the Western Conference finals. The Minnesota Timberwolves tightened up their pressure with a back-to-basics approach on their home court that fueled a 143-101 victory in Game 3. They aggressively hounded the ball, employed effective switches and limited their drop pick-and-roll coverage to prevent the mid-range shots. The Wolves were also disciplined enough to minimize their fouls. The question for Game 4 is how quickly the Thunder can hit the reset button after such a drubbing.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) reacts during the second half of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

Randle’s revival for the T-wolves in their Game 3 win started with a pep talk from a vital teammate

May 24, 2025

The Minnesota Timberwolves made quite an entrance in the Western Conference finals even if their 143-101 victory in Game 3 was a late arrival. Julius Randle’s performance was the epitome of the response. He had 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting with four rebounds, three assists and no turnovers while feeding off the home-crowd energy all game. Randle disappeared in Game 2 with six points on 2-for-11 shooting with four turnovers and was on the bench for the entire fourth quarter. Star teammate Anthony Edwards was the first person who spoke with him after the game, in encouragement to bounce back.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, center right, shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, center left, during the first half of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs, Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Anthony Edwards and the Wolves strike back with 143-101 win to cut Thunder’s West finals lead to 2-1

May 24, 2025

Anthony Edwards had 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists in just three quarters to lead the re-energized Minnesota Timberwolves in a 143-101 victory over Oklahoma City in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals. The Thunder’s lead in the series was cut to 2-1. Julius Randle added 24 points and rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. had 15 points in 13 minutes to highlight a big boost from the bench for the Wolves. They caused all kinds of cracks in the Thunder’s NBA-best defense after struggling to solve it in two lopsided losses on the road.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball Western Conference Finals playoff series Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Timberwolves come home in a big hole dug by the relentless Thunder and their poise, precision

May 23, 2025

Signs of frustration have been evident for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals against an Oklahoma City Thunder team chasing its first title with a mix of poise, precision and relentlessness unseen anywhere else in these NBA playoffs. The Thunder will take a 2-0 lead into Game 3 at Target Center in Minneapolis on Saturday night. One of the most discouraging developments for the Wolves from Game 2 was that they held the Thunder to 9-for-33 shooting from 3-point range and still lost by 15. The Thunder shot 63% on 2-pointers, many outside of the lane.

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks toward a referee after being called for a foul during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Bueckers crosses another first off career list as homecoming leaves Wings with latest loss to Lynx

May 21, 2025

Paige Bueckers admired the Minnesota Lynx as a kid while cheering on each of the four WNBA championships that played a part in her ascension to becoming the first overall pick in the draft last month. Beating the Lynx might be a different story for Bueckers. Her Dallas Wings have lost to Minnesota twice in the first five days of the season. That included her WNBA debut in Dallas and her first homecoming game as a pro. She had 12 points, 10 assists and three steals in the 85-81 defeat on Wednesday by the Lynx.

DAVE CAMPBELL Sports Writer.