“I play hard,” Brooks said. “The media gave me the villain role, so I’m just taking it and doing what I need to do with it.”

When fans return to AutoZone Park for baseball this season, they will see a new grass field and a “bright as ever” video board, according to Memphis Redbirds President Craig Unger, along with a menu with many new choices.

Ja Morant’s family wore hoodies that said, “Redemption.” But Morant said he just wants a second chance. That began Wednesday at FedExForum against the Houston Rockets. It was a sweet — and emotional — night. 

NBA box score for the Wednesday, March 22 game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets.

After an eight-game suspension and one more on the sideline, Memphis Grizzlies’ superstar Ja Morant dropped in 17 points with five assists in a 130-125 Grizzlies victory that clinched the Southwest division title. 

Related story:

Box score: Grizzlies 130, Rockets 125

Drew Hill and Chris Herrington discuss the return of Ja Morant to the Memphis Grizzlies. 

Relationship with, and admiration for, sporting director Tim Howard helped draw the MLS veteran to Memphis.

The Rex Award goes to Germantown’s football coach, former Central High standout named to “Thirty Under 30,” and Memphis Business Academy has a new football coach.

The way the tournament game ended was unfortunate and unlucky, but it shouldn’t otherwise overshadow what was a positive season for the Tigers.

Offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey believes healthy competition battles are good for the team.

The transfer from Amarillo (Texas) College was the missing piece the Tigers needed to play with Larry Finch and Ronnie Robinson and make a run to the 1973 NCAA Tournament.

Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan is entering his third year as the starter and offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey wants to see his leadership jump to the next level. 

Ja Morant may be back — but he’s not exactly himself. Given everything that has happened in his life lately, isn’t that a good thing?

The Grizzlies guard will miss his third game this season due to a suspension. He leads the NBA in technical fouls with 18. 

The superstar guard stepped behind a microphone for the first time since rejoining the Memphis Grizzlies following a suspension for conduct detrimental to the league.

Related story:

Herrington: Morant is set to return, but the Grizzlies weren’t just waiting around

Penny Hardaway and the Tigers will be aggressive in the transfer portal again.

With Ja Morant in the building for the first time since his league suspension, the Grizzlies erased a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Dallas Mavericks. 

Related stories:

Ja Morant’s back, and his teammates show the love

Box score: Grizzlies 112, Mavericks 108

Grizzlies Insider: Memphis not concerned with playoff seeding

NBA box score for the Memphis Grizzlies game against the Dallas Mavericks at FedExForum on Monday, March 20, 2023.

Memphis jumped out to a 20-0 lead and never trailed in the 79-62 win over Ball State. The Tigers will face Bowling Green in the third round of the WNIT tournament.

Forty-four of our 400-plus participants have higher scores than the members of The Daily Memphian’s sports team.

“Finishing strong and staying healthy, those are the main things for us,” Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks said. “We want to have a little momentum going into the playoffs.”

Standouts from Briarcrest, CBHS, Collierville, ECS, FACS, Houston and Tipton-Rosemark are up for consideration this week.