JOHN MARSHALL Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Ryan Blaney (12) leads Alex Bowman into the corner during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Ryan Blaney wins NASCAR Cup Series finale at Phoenix after missing Championship 4

November 2, 2025

Ryan Blaney’s bid to win a second NASCAR Cup Series championship came to an end with a bump by William Byron at Martinsville last weekend. The dejection didn’t deter the Team Penske driver once he arrived in Phoenix. Determined to finish his season with a win and put last week’s disappointment behind him, Blaney passed Brad Keselowski and used the late pass to win the NASCAR Series Cup season finale at Phoenix Raceway by 0.097 seconds. Kyle Larson won the Cup Series championship, but Blaney earned a little bit of redemption by winning the race at a track where he had come so close in the past.

Kyle Busch waves to fans prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

NASCAR driver Kyle Busch sues insurance company for $8.5 million, alleging deceptive practices

November 1, 2025

NASCAR Cup Series drive Kyle Busch and his wife Samantha are suing Pacific Life Insurance Company for $8.5 million over alleged deceptive practices. The lawsuit says the insurance company failed to reveal the true risks of the policies, along with providing false and negligent representations of what was supposed to be tax-free income for retirement. An independent firm told Busch that his policy would expire in 16 months and the $10.4 million he invested would be gone. The lawsuit also names the agent who sold the policy for steering them into an unsustainable, high-risk product, along with charging an up-front 35% commission they were unaware of.

Arizona State wide receiver Jaren Hamilton (16) reacts after making a catch against Texas Tech in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona State hands No. 7 Texas Tech its first loss with late drive in 26-22 win

October 18, 2025

Raleek Brown bulled in for a 1-yard touchdown with 34 seconds left and Arizona State rallied after blowing a 12-point fourth-quarter lead to hand No. 7 Texas Tech its first loss of the season, 26-22. The Red Raiders labored most of the afternoon without starting quarterback Behren Morton (knee), finishing with 276 total yards after averaging an FBS-best 558.8 through the first six games. Will Hammond showed his mettle after failing to move Texas Tech’s offense through three quarters, orchestrating two late scoring drives. The freshman scored on a 1-yard run and, after Texas Tech’s defense held, found Reggie Virgil on a 12-yard touchdown pass. Arizona State answered behind Sam Leavitt, who it 5 of 7 passes for 61 yards to set up Brown’s TD run.

Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) scores a touchdown as he jumps over TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Jevon McIver Jr. (20) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Jesus Gomez hits late 23-yard field goal to lift Arizona State past No. 24 TCU, 27-24

September 26, 2025

Jesus Gomez kicked a 23-yard field goal with 1:14 left and Arizona State rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat No. 24 TCU 27-24. The Sun Devils were down 17-0 in the second quarter before rallying behind Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson. Leavitt threw his second touchdown pass to Tyson, from 4 yards with 1:50 left, and Prince Dorbuh followed with a strip sack of TCU’s Josh Hoover, setting up Arizona State at TCU’s 15. Gomez, who missed two earlier field goals, split the uprights after the Sun Devils originally lined up to go for it on fourth-and-inches. Arizona State’s Martell Hughes sealed it with the second interception of Hoover.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., right, catches a touchdown pass as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon defends during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Cardinals’ Marvin Harrison Jr. shows mercurial side with TD, bobbled pass against Seahawks

September 25, 2025

Marvin Harrison Jr. soared above a defensive back, snagged the ball at the high point and pulled it down for a key touchdown in Arizona’s comeback attempt. The Cardinals’ second-year receiver didn’t celebrate, opting instead to kneel with an arm over the front of his helmet before jogging off the field. After the first half he had, Harrison seemed more relieved than excited about pulling down a highlight-reel touchdown. Harrison caught a touchdown pass and had a pair of key catches on Arizona’s final drive, but also bobbled a pass that led to a first-half interception in the Cardinals’ 23-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks

Boston Red Sox pitcher Aroldis Chapman throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth inning during a baseball game, Sunday, Sept 7, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Precision and power: Boston’s Aroldis Chapman still dominating at 37

September 8, 2025

Aroldis Chapman has a reputation as a power pitcher, built through 16 years of routinely popping 100 mph on the radar gun. As Boston Red Sox closer has gotten older, the 37-year-old added craftiness to the power, baffling hitters by locating sliders and splitters that leave them flailing. The combination led to a rare four-strikeout inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks and one of the most dominating runs by a reliever in baseball history. Chapman joined elite company with his four strikeouts in the ninth inning against Arizona after Ildemaro Vargas reached on a wild pitch. The left-hander has not allowed a hit in 17 straight appearances over 14 2/3 innings, the third-longest run since 1901.

Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins, left, defends against Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The Engine: Alyssa Thomas driving new-look Phoenix Mercury near the top of WNBA standings

August 20, 2025

Alyssa Thomas has been revving up the Phoenix Mercury. The player nicknamed The Engine has been the perfect fit for first-year coach Nate Tibbetts’ free-flowing offense, pushing the Mercury near the top of the WNBA standings even though they lost Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner. Thomas earned her sixth WNBA All-Star nod in her first season in the desert and has become a top MVP candidate. Thomas leads the WNBA with 9.0 assists and is third with 8.6 rebounds per game while averaging 16.1 points. She’s also racked up five triple-doubles.

JOHN MARSHALL Sports Writer.