Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | John Varlas

For Zach Lucchesi, sports agency comes with the personal touch

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:49:17 -0500

Former St. Benedict standout finds his niche as a “player advocate” representing Memphis area college and high school players.

Daily Memphian postseason boys soccer awards: CBHS senior, Briarcrest coach honored

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:40:39 -0500

Hayden Mulrooney sparked the Brothers to a 15-2-1 mark while Axel Sandoval’s Saints reached state for the first time.

‘It becomes another game’: Memphis referee reflects on his World Cup experience

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:08:41 -0500

Chris Strickland, a California native who’s lived in Memphis for the past dozen or so years, worked at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Daily Memphian postseason lacrosse awards: Standouts from Briarcrest, MUS, St. Mary's honored

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:39:26 -0500

ECS’ MeriTaylor Pickle claims coach of the year honors after second straight state title.

Daily Memphian postseason baseball: CBHS star named player of the year

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:00:28 -0500

Here are The Daily Memphian postseason baseball awards for the 2026 season, featuring our player of the year, pitcher of the year, coach of the year and all-metro teams.

Daily Memphian postseason softball awards: It's a TRA sweep

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:56:25 -0500

Standout senior Lanie Howe and Rebels coach Johnie Sanfratello led the way for 2026.

Shot clock coming to Tennessee prep hoops — but slowly

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Tue, 9 Jun 2026 15:17:00 -0500

Full implementation is set for the 2029-30 season for a 35-second-high school shot clock in Tennessee.

Two former local basketball standouts named in Alabama State betting probe

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Fri, 5 Jun 2026 14:19:41 -0500

A pair of former Memphis-area high school basketball standouts are named in a sports betting integrity probe. One is the son of a Memphis Tigers assistant coach.

Ed Scott reveals how much Memphis spends on basketball, football

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Fri, 5 Jun 2026 12:25:33 -0500

In a wide-ranging interview with Jason Smith on the “J & J Show” on 92.9 FM on Wednesday, Scott addressed concerns that the Tiger basketball program — which finished 13-19 last season — had fallen behind football in the university’s pecking order.

Daily Memphian boys postseason track and field awards: Central's Nesmith repeats

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Fri, 5 Jun 2026 10:57:09 -0500

Millington coach John Cochran was also recognized after leading his team to Class AA state championship.

Daily Memphian postseason girls track and field awards: Three-peats for Collierville's Webb, Seymour

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 17:56:53 -0500

Collierville’s senior standout and coach were recognized once again after another dominating season.

Tigers coach Penny Hardaway took a personality test, and learned something about himself

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 17:48:04 -0500

Memphis Tigers coach Penny Hardaway spoke with media members as the start of summer workouts approached.

Daily Memphian postseason swimming awards: Athletes from Collierville, Houston made the biggest splashes

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 11:57:30 -0500

Ian Call and twins Eva and Roos Rottink ruled the pool in 2026.

Spring Fling 2026: Houston falls to Farragut in Class AAAA title game

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 08:31:43 -0500

The Farragut Admirals broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth to beat the Houston Mustangs and win their state-record fifth straight baseball championship.

Vote for the spring sports athlete of the week, Week 8

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 08:30:51 -0500

Standouts from Central, Collierville, Houston, Northpoint and Tipton-Rosemark are up for consideration. Voting ends at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 7.

After highs and lows, Duron Sutton finds renewed purpose at Germantown

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Sat, 30 May 2026 18:55:10 -0500

Football has given Germantown’s new coach plenty. Now, he’s aiming to give his all to the Red Devils.

Memphis FC falls in home opener

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Fri, 29 May 2026 13:02:46 -0500

City’s United Soccer League 2 team drops to 0-2, but Thursday was another step in the process.

Daily Memphian postseason tennis awards: Standouts from MUS, Lausanne honored

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Wed, 27 May 2026 09:36:46 -0500

Lynx coach Joel Bailey is also recognized after his teams extended their Division 2-A dominance.

Spring Fling 2026: Collierville girls three-peat in Class AAA track

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Fri, 22 May 2026 07:59:22 -0500

Collierville girls win the state track title while Houston baseball advances to Friday’s championship game. Briarcrest soccer and St. George’s baseball fall in the state championship finals.

Spring Fling 2026: Tipton-Rosemark captures first title in 12 years

jvarlas@dailymemphian.com (John Varlas) — Thu, 21 May 2026 22:13:14 -0500

Fifth-year standouts Lanie Howe and Lola Sprenkle lead the way as the Rebels knocked off Tennessee’s No. 1 team.