Minnesota Scene: Eagan youth coach honored by NBA

The NBA announced that Carrie Berran of Eagan is the winner of its inaugural Jr. NBA Coach of the Year award, given annually to a youth basketball coach who is making a positive impact on children by demonstrating outstanding integrity, character and leadership. Berran was presented with the award at Monday night's NBA Awards Show.

Each NBA team nominated a youth basketball coach for the award, and Berran was selected by the Timberwolves & Lynx Basketball Academy as the team's nominee. She is basketball president of the Eagan Athletic Association and coach of the association's seventh-grade girls' team.

"I love the sport of basketball and working with kids, so to be honored with this award for doing something I am passionate about is simply amazing," Berran said. "I am thrilled that Eagan Athletic Association Basketball will benefit from the award with the donation, Positive Coaching Alliance trainings and equipment."

Berran was selected as the national winner by a panel of judges, including former NBA player Dell Curry, former WNBA player Jennifer Azzi and Turner Sports broadcaster Ernie Johnson, along with fan voting via social media.

The Timberwolves waived veteran forward Jordan Hill, clearing an additional $4 million in salary cap room as free agency approaches.

The second year of the two-year, $8 million deal Hill signed last summer was not guaranteed, so it will not be on the Wolves' books this summer. Hill appeared in only seven games last season.

The Wolves can create close to $19 million in salary cap room to enable them to pursue free agents when the market opens Saturday.

Canterbury received approval from the Minnesota Racing Commission to make room for the 93X 20th anniversary concert, which features Prophets of Rage, on Sept. 16 on the Shakopee track's infield.

The commission also approved the request for 5 p.m. post times on the final two days, Sept. 14 and 15.

Dates for stakes races originally scheduled for the final two days of the season also have been altered. The John Bullit Stakes will be run Sept. 14 instead of Sept. 15. The Shakopee Juvenile and the Tom Metzen H.B.P.A. Sprint Stakes will be run one day earlier than originally planned and will be held on closing night, Sept. 15.

• Maggie Ewen, a former St. Francis High School athlete now competing for Arizona State, finished second in the hammer throw Sunday at the U.S. Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, Calif. Her best throw was 244 feet, 7 inches. Gwen Berry won with a throw of 245-3.

• Two former Gophers volleyball players gained medals at the Pan American Cup on Sunday in Canete, Peru. Paige Tapp helped the United States win gold, while Daly Santana helped Puerto Rico to a bronze medal.