ORLANDO — After the traditional photos with the championship trophy, after the smiles and the shaking of hands, Memphis coach Mike Norvell quietly handed a football to UCF coach Josh Heupel — signed by the Memphis team — to give to UCF’s injured quarterback, McKenzie Milton.

COOKEVILLE – Following his team's loss to Brentwood Academy Friday, Memphis University School coach Bobby Alston drew inspiration from the wise words of that noted philosopher Garth Brooks.

When it comes to sequels, Covington's football team is hoping Saturday afternoon will be more like "The Godfather Part II" and less like "Police Academy 7." The Chargers will play in the Class 3A championship game for the second straight year and will once again face mighty Alcoa. The Tornadoes won their 16th title with a 31-20 victory a year ago. 

Quarterback Brady White and the Memphis offense went three-and-out, leaving punter Adam Williams to punt from the Houston 49-yard line. Williams faced a punt from his "dead zone" – a spot on the field where he may not put the ball anywhere but the end zone. He needed room so the Tigers called a shift and took a delay of game penalty.

Lead Grizzlies writer Chris Herrington is joined by Grind City Media and The Ringer’s Chris Vernon to talk about the Grizzlies’ recent three-game losing streak amid a better-than-expected start, the early returns on rookie Jaren Jackson Jr., the crowded Western Conference playoff race, and more.

After a lengthy courtship, the Grizzlies appear on the verge of tying the knot with free agent center Joakim Noah.

They come in all shapes and sizes. They come from near and far. Unless a yellow flag flies, you probably won’t hear their names or their numbers. But that’s understood from day one.

Coaches have changed. Schemes have been tinkered with. Quarterbacks have graduated or suffered horrific injuries. But most of the personnel has remained the same in three matchups between Memphis and UCF spanning the last two seasons.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Whitehaven football coach Rodney Saulsberry summed up his team's performance in the Class 6A state championship game in one succint sentence.

After taking Thanksgiving off, it’s time for a return of the Grizzlies Mailbag, where we’re updating predictions after 20 games and already gazing ahead to the All-Star game and the trade deadline.

It’s true that UCF has beaten Memphis three times since Sept. 30 of last year. And it would seem to speak to dominance.

East High center James Wiseman, who announced last week he will attend the University of Memphis, has officially signed with the Tigers, Memphis coach Penny Hardaway said Thursday.

The biggest news out of Penny Hardaway’s press conference on Thursday, Nov. 29, was that top recruit James Wiseman had signed his national letter of intent.

Ten games, 20 games? Arbitrary designations over the course of an 82-game season. But the Grizzlies are six games into a more tangible turning point: the return of JaMychal Green.

The only thing that's been able to slow down the Memphis University School football team has been the Owls' quirky schedule of late.

Just like in 2016, the Whitehaven football team is in the state championship game. They’ll play Murfreesboro Oakland on Thursday – just like in 2016.

Here is this week's Daily Memphian high school honor roll, which recognizes the top individual performers over the last seven days.

The American Athletic Conference released its All-Conference teams Wednesday afternoon, with eight Memphis Tigers earning honors voted on by the league's 12 head coaches.

There were at least moments of reason. Somewhere along the Penny Hardaway timeline – from rumor of his hiring to today when his first team stands 3-3 – there were small moments when people seemed to understand.

Tuesday night at FedExForum felt a whole lot like Sunday afternoon. Once again, the Grizzlies built a game-high double-digit lead early in the third quarter and lost (nearly) all of it before the quarter was over.

Toronto: 122, Memphis: 114

Here are Tuesday's reported high school sports results. For corrections, updates or to report your team's scores, please e-mail jvarlas@dailymemphian.com.

The Memphis Express, the Bluff City’s Alliance of American Football team, unveiled its inaugural uniform design Tuesday.

Kyle Lowry had 24 points and six assists, Fred VanVleet added 18 points and Toronto used a 3-point shooting burst in the fourth quarter to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 122-114 on Tuesday night.

When Memphis and UCF face each other Saturday in the American Athletic Conference championship game, it will mark the first time in the last two seasons Knights star quarterback McKenzie Milton won’t appear against the Tigers.