901 Hoops: Memphis basketball back on the road, Wooddale gets postseason ban lifted

Khari Thompson Drew Hill
Memphis Commercial Appeal
901 Hoops is the CA's weekly basketball newsletter.

901 Hoops is a weekly newsletter by Commercial Appeal preps writer Khari Thompson and Memphis Tigers basketball beat writer Drew Hill that will highlight the content from the high school, college and professional basketball scene in Memphis every Thursday. 

It will include some of the best of the Commercial Appeal's basketball coverage, including recruiting updates and everything else you should know over the course of a week.

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Tigers go on the road

Memphis basketball went 1-1 in two home games last week with a loss to Cincinnati Thursday and win over Connecticut Sunday.

FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA tournament brackets, scores, schedules, teams and more.

The Tigers topped ECU 79-69 Wednesday thanks to another big night from Jeremiah Martin. 

TIGER BASKETBALL:Penny Hardaway: Moving Jeremiah Martin back to point guard paying off for Memphis

TIGERS BEAT PIRATES:Memphis 79, ECU 69: Jeremiah Martin carries Tigers to road win

Next up for Memphis is a trip to Central Florida Saturday for a rematch with coach Johnny Dawkins' Knights. 

The Tigers took the first meeting between the two schools, dominating UCF for a 20-point win while shutting down Knights guards Aubrey Dawkins and B.J. Taylor on the offensive end. 

Both UCF and Memphis are expected to be jockeying for a first-round bye in the AAC Tournament come March, giving Saturday's matchup some added meaning. 

January 27 2019 - Mike Parks Jr. points out to fans during Sunday afternoon's game against UCF at the FedExForum in Memphis.

"That game we played against (UCF) earlier in the season was one of two or three games we've played where we were able to sustain the same energy," Hardaway said. "It was out of desperation because we knew how good they are. I don't think I have to tell the team going to UCF that you have to play hard or else you'll get beat. They know that."

Penny Hardaway still a star in Japan

Memphis coach Penny Hardaway will be featured in the upcoming issue of Japanese basketball magazine "Dabudori," along with Memphis Grizzlies forward Yuta Watanabe. 

Hardaway's popularity in Japan exploded as the former Orlando Magic point guard rose to stardom in the years after the 1992 Summer Olympics. 

In 1996-97, his Magic team played two games against the New Jersey Nets in the Tokyo Dome — typically a baseball stadium — in front of over 38,000 fans. Hardaway led all scorers in both games with 23 and 29 points. 

The magazine featuring articles Watanabe and Hardaway will be Dabudori's first international issue and attempt to paint the picture of coaching in a city crazed for basketball like Memphis. 

"We usually don't go by town, we just pick random players," Onishi said, "but for this one, we're making it all about Memphis."

PENNY HARDAWAY: Why the Memphis coach is still popular in Japan

With ban lifted, Wooddale's Chandler Lawson can focus on chasing state title No. 4

TSSAA lifted Wooddale's postseason ban on Friday, clearing the Cardinals for postseason play. Now four-star Oregon signee Chandler Lawson can focus on chasing his fourth state title. See what he and Wooddale coach Keelon Lawson had to say about getting back into the postseason. 

FOUR FOR FOUR?:With ban lifted, Wooddale's Chandler Lawson can focus on chasing state title No. 4

BAN LIFTED:Wooddale boys basketball postseason ban lifted; Melrose, Westwood to remain out of playoffs for 2019, 2020

Mr. and Ms. Basketball Finalists Announced

Houston's Jayla Hemingway (00) dribbles down the court during a TSSAA Class AAA  state semifinal girls basketball game between Houston and Bradley Central at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Friday, March 9, 2018.

Houston's Jayla Hemingway is a finalist for the Class AAA Ms. Basketball award. She is the only local girls basketball player to make the finalist list.. The 5-11 guard was also a finalist two years ago during her sophomore season. 

Memphis East's James Wiseman shoots the ball over Holy Spirit's Ahmir Langlais during the Memphis Hoopfest at Briarcrest Christian School on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.

Six local boys basketball players were named Mr. Basketball finalists. They are: James Wiseman (East), Antavion Colllum (Bartlett), Chandler Lawson (Wooddale), Catthadious Moore (Manassas), Kennedy Chandler (Briarcrest), and Luke Howard (Harding). 

BEST OF THE BEST:TSSAA Mr. and Miss Basketball award finalists announced for 2019

Grizzlies trade Marc Gasol 

The Grizzlies traded Marc Gasol to the Raptors on Thursday, netting Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright, C.J. Miles and a 2024 second-round pick in return.

The move left the Grizzlies without a Gasol on its roster since the franchise moved to Memphis in 2001.

Marc's older brother, Pau, helped the Spurs escape with a one-point victory over the Grizzlies at FedExForum on Tuesday. 

THE TRADE:Memphis Grizzlies trading Marc Gasol to Toronto Raptors, per report

WHERE'S THE PLAN?:Memphis Grizzlies fans deserve better than this. They deserve a team with vision.

RETIRED NUMBER:Memphis Grizzlies will retire Marc Gasol's No. 33 jersey, owner Robert Pera says

PAU'S TAKE:Pau Gasol after Marc Gasol traded from Grizzlies: 'Our presence will always be here'