With the best performance of the year, Memphis likely locked up a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Ja Morant’s stardom exploded following his triple-double during the NCAA Tournament three years ago. But he has even higher hopes for the current Murray State team. 

Calvin Austin III and Dylan Parham give the Tigers a good deal of credit for getting them this far. Former Arlington resident Kenneth Walker III is also getting attention.

If the Grizzlies can hang on to the No. 2 seed, it bodes well for a more favorable playoff matchup.

March 5, 2022: Memphis Grizzlies defeat the Orlando Magic at FedExForum.

March 5, 2022: FACS defeats Goodpasture in the Division 2-A boys basketball state final.

Desmond Bane regained his shooting touch, scoring 24 points as the Grizzlies ran away with the game.

Daniel Egbuniwe was named MVP as Crusaders cap 30-2 season for first state title in school history.

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CBHS caps perfect season with Division 2-AA state title

March 5, 2022: Christian Brothers High School defeats Knoxville Catholic for boys Division 2-AA state title.

Brothers finish 28-0 as Chandler Jackson and Michael Pepper each score 20.

The Tigers have all of the necessary knowledge and tools to crack Houston’s elite defense on Sunday.

March 4, 2022: FACS defeats Clarksville Academy in Division 2-A boys basketball state semifinal in Cookeville.

It wasn’t just about winning games, or even the games themselves.

The former Memphis Tigers player finished in the top three among receivers in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump and the 20-yard shuttle run.

The Crusaders, who have no trouble with Clarksville Academy, will take on Goodpasture in hopes of their first state championship.

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Box score: FACS 57, Clarksville Academy 32

Veteran Kennedy Claybrooks has the experience the Panthers need in their quest to reach Murfreesboro for the first time since 2015.

Winners of nine of their past 10 games, the Tigers are in a solid position for the NCAA Tournament. Beating Houston would make it even tougher for the committee to ignore them. 

Memphis defeated South Florida on Thursday, setting up Sunday’s game against Houston. It’s the biggest Tigers home game in years.

March 3, 2022: The Memphis Tigers defeat the South Florida Bulls at Yuengling Center in Tampa.

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Memphis does just enough to get by South Florida

Despite some lulls, the Tigers were able to fend off the Bulls’ late charge with Alex Lomax’s scoring run.

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Box score: Memphis 73, South Florida 64

March 3, 2022: The Boston Celtics defeat the Memphis Grizzlies at TD Garden in Boston.

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Celtics beat cold-shooting Grizzlies

The Grizzlies, including Ja Morant, struggled throughout the first half, and couldn’t make the necessary stops in the fourth quarter to get back in the game. 

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Box score: Celtics 120, Grizzlies 107

Fans pick Cooper Haynes and Hilary Shikuku in the final basketball vote of the season.

March 3, 2022, boys basketball state semifinal: Christian Brothers High School defeats Lipscomb Academy. 

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Undefeated CBHS advances to D2-AA title game

Brothers work it out when things get tight against Lipscomb Academy and will face Knoxville Catholic in Saturday’s final.

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Box score: CBHS 58, Lipscomb Academy 52