Refreshed from a wonderful week in the Carolinas, I returned home last Saturday and caught up on all I missed during another busy stretch on the Memphis sports scene.

The Daily Memphian sports staff’s work covered the gamut, including sad news from the high school world.

But it started with confirmation that the city’s minor-league soccer club, Memphis 901 FC, was relocating to California, prompting a column from John Varlas on memories the team left behind and Geoff Calkins on the potential fate of 901’s cousin organization, baseball’s Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, should money not be found soon to fund much-needed repairs and renovation at the stadium they shared, AutoZone Park.

Before Memphis played UAB in the Memphis Tigers football team’s final home game of the 2024 season, Frank Bonner II delivered terrific pieces on two program stalwarts, defensive back Greg Rubin, a White Station High product, and four-year starting quarterback Seth Henigan.

After a couple of flights, I joined Bonner on Saturday night for the Tigers’ Battle for the Bones win over the Blazers. Bonner wrote about Memphis missing out on an appearance in the American Athletic Conference title game but nevertheless finishing 7-0 at home this season and I opined on how Henigan might be the most underappreciated Tigers QB in recent memory.

Memphis, No. 24 in the Coaches Poll, is idle this week before closing its regular season with a Thanksgiving Night showdown against Tulane in New Orleans.

Parth Upadhyaya reported on the Tigers basketball team, which blew out Ohio on Friday night at FedExForum and travels to face San Francisco on Thursday in the start of a long run away from home that also features three Thanksgiving Week games at the Maui Invitational in Hawaii.

Drew Hill covered the Grizzlies’ game against Denver on Sunday, and he’s doing the same as the Nuggets again play in Memphis, this time tonight on the back end of a back-to-back set against the same opponent and the middle outing of a three-game homestand that closes Wednesday night against Philadelphia. Chris Herrington, meanwhile, checked in with his column on some of the Grizzlies’ big looming decisions.

Hill also went off the beat with his super piece on 23-year-old Memphian Emily Hill, who was injured in a horrific car crash last November and now — despite broken bones and crushed vertebrae — is a yoga instructor who, defying what she was told would be impossible, can touch her toes.

Varlas additionally reported on Houston High’s football playoff win against Bartlett that set up Friday night’s TSSAA quarterfinal rematch between the host Mustangs and rival Collierville, whose only regular-season loss was to Houston on Nov. 1.

And on Monday, Varlas presented a beautiful piece on storied high school basketball coach Terry Tippett, who led a handful of local programs, won six state championships and died Saturday at the age of 79.

Here’s a look at some of the staff’s top work from the week: — Deputy sports editor Tim Buckley

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Varlas: 901 FC was beautiful even when it wasn't By John Varlas

Calkins: 901 FC is gone. Could the Redbirds be next? By Geoff Calkins

Defensive back Greg Rubin proud to be 'a Tiger for life' By Frank Bonner II

Before his final home game, Seth Henigan reflects on 4 years as quarterback By Frank Bonner II

Tigers focus on 10-win season after missing out on AAC title By Frank Bonner II

Buckley: Discount what Seth Henigan has done for Memphis? Not fair at all. By Tim Buckley

Love it, Like it or Hate it: Reviewing Memphis’ win against Ohio By Parth Upadhyaya

The Grizzlies' system is fueled by speed. And the holiday spirit? By Drew Hill

Herrington: As Grizzlies get healthier, decisions loom, beginning at small forward By Chris Herrington

Hill: They said she'd never touch her toes again. Now she's a yoga teacher. By Drew Hill

Friday football report: Houston, Collierville set for Class 6A quarterfinal rematch By John Varlas

Terry Tippett won games and influenced lives in equal measure By John Varlas

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