Portsmouth Trojans (21-5) (10-2) 2010-2011

[jgordon0315]

He's been ruled eligibile...details forthcoming...wow! Go Trojans

[smurray]

I'd like to hear this one. I guess changing schools at will is okay now. He shouldn't have been able to play at Burg last year, with not moving there.
Did he move, enroll and attend a day at the Wisconsin school? Maybe that's why he's eligible at Portsmouth now.

[jgordon0315]

Ummm smurray????, you do realize he was in Burg last year??? So where are you getting your info from and what are you talking about????, anyways....this should be a real fun year in hoops!

[biggdowgg]

He's been ruled eligibile...details forthcoming...wow! Go Trojans

wow..is right....

[oldtrojan]

He's been ruled eligibile...details forthcoming...wow! Go Trojans

wow..is right....

I'll believe it when I see it, or when TrojanDave says it's so! Regardless either way I still say, "GO TROJANS".

[biggdowgg]

oldtrojan......

jgordon0315 , is close to the inside scoop on this,I trust he would not post unless he was 100 percent sure of his comments.

[oldtrojan]

oldtrojan......

jgordon0315 , is close to the inside scoop on this,I trust he would not post unless he was 100 percent sure of his comments.

biggdowgg, I respect jgordan's post it's just that I have always been a show me the money type of guy. LOL! I kind of figured when I heard that he was back in Portsmouth that he either never left or that an ohsaa ruling was forthcoming!

[jgordon0315]

Hey, I can understand people's skepticism when on any type of forum. Cause people will say anything to kinda grab one's attention. Anyhow, I'm gonna let my words speak for themselves and you believe what you want. But when the dust settles we will know more, now as for my understanding of the situation: Andrew got reinstated. He let many of his close friends know and those who had been praying for him as well. His father even texted me, because of the relief of this "much talked about journey," that he was glad Andrew was reinstated. Without going into the details of the text, Andrew is a Portsmouth Trojan hooper again. Thanks again Biggdowgg for vouching for me, appreciate it. I'm only a mediator. The dotting of the I's and the crossing of the T's, I'll let TrojanDave handle that, lol. He's got big shoulders.

[Portsmouth98]

In the words of C. Montgomery Burns "Excellent".

[trojandave]

I had been informed of the "decision" on Andrew yesterday, but I wasn't going to post anything for a couple of days........then I got a call this morning from Marcus (Andrew's father)........he told me that Andrew was indeed ruled eligible........but that his eligibility will be for the last 10 games of the regular season.......he must sit out the first 10 games.

Andrew's first game, barring no snowouts, will be vs. Waverly at the Wellston Hoops Classic on Sunday, Jan.9th.

10 games will be plenty of time for Andrew to mold into the team chemistry.........then by the time the tournament comes around the Trojans should be a VERY GOOD basketball team.......this summer, with Andrew, Tre, Dion, Wayne, and Lenny as the starting 5, the Trojans were 17-0........and now Zaide Whitley comes in and figures to play a prominent role at the starting 3 position.

Andrew brings this to Portsmouth: perhaps the best on-ball defense at the guard position in the SE District, super quickness which allows him to beat virtually anyone off the dribble, the ability to drive and dish to Tre or Dion for a post bucket or hit Wayne or Zaide at the 3 point arc, and a competitive fire that has been passed down from his father.

What will make the Trojans really tough with Andrew will be the fact that Portsmouth will have weapons all around him, offensively and defensively.

In the meantime, while Andrew waits for his debut, Portsmouth will still field a very good team.......Seth Bratchett will do a fine job at the point, and hopefully Zaide will be healthy by the season opener........Tre and Dion will be double trouble for opponents.......it will be difficult for both of them to be contained on the same night. Wayne Evans has improved his overall game and he brings a burning desire to win every time he steps on the court.

It would be more of an awkward situation if Andrew had never played with these kids.......then perhaps the Trojans would have to develop a new chemistry.......but I think the transition will be very smooth with hardly a ripple. We will have better depth also, with Lenny, Mason, Seth, and L.J. all playing key roles.

Portsmouth will be a VERY TOUGH basketball team by the time the tournament comes.........Coach Collins and his staff will have these Trojans ready.

[trojandave]

I am happy for Andrew and his family that the OHSAA finally reached a decision on the appeal.......regardless of what the decision was ultimately going to be, a decision was made........I had criticized the OHSAA for delaying this for so long, so I will give them credit for rendering their verdict yesterday........although Andrew won't officially be eligible until the last 10 games of the regular season, at least he has enough of an opportunity to make a significant impact on Trojan basketball in this his senior season.

[trojandave]

There was a big buzz about these Trojans during the summer.......the way the kids played in the Bannon Park Classic against veterans 6-10 years older than they were, gave the community the hope that PHS basketball was going to make a big splash this year...........

Then came Andrew's ineligiblity situation........it took some of the enthusiasm away........but I guarantee that Trojan basketball is a hot topic in town again........and with it are dreams that just maybe these kids can restore the lost magic in the tournament that for many, many years Portsmouth was known statewide for.

GO TROJANS!!!

[jgordon0315]

I can attest to the buzz over the summer. This is a new era, however. Instead of constant hooping on the Bannon Park or Lincoln Elementary playgrounds the kids ball mostly on their own, working out on their shot and various basketball drills and ball handling and weightlifting. They, as a collective unit, only get "together" in organized settings like open gym and summer leagues. But all in all these kids talents and individual workout isn't what's gonna get them over the top. It'll be the team chemistry and basketball IQ of this squad that will make this season a magical one. These kids know the game.

[biggdowgg]

oldtrojan......

jgordon0315 , is close to the inside scoop on this,I trust he would not post unless he was 100 percent sure of his comments.

biggdowgg, I respect jgordan's post it's just that I have always been a show me the money type of guy. LOL! I kind of figured when I heard that he was back in Portsmouth that he either never left or that an ohsaa ruling was forthcoming!

understood ...

I was only pointing out that I knew jgordon, was pretty close to the Bendolphs and would know about this.

[bigcline81]

wow this is gonna be a great year 4 portsmouth i cant wait!!!

[wipala]

Well this news is great...NOW lets get down to basketball! Is Andrew allowed to practice with the team? If he is the rest of the team will benefit from his being there and making the guard play even
that much more competive...TrojanDave, Biggdogg and the rest I am really looking forward to the forthcoming posts...Now go out and get the SEOAL crown and let us all have a great and safe season!!
wipalawalt

[gunit]

So basically the OHSAA is only punishing him 10 games for them knowing that his residence and moving around Scioto County was not legit.

Why have rules in place if they do not need to be followed?

[biggdowgg]

Meet the team tonight at 5 30.

[oldtrojan]

Meet the team tonight at 5 30.

The whole team I hope!

[jgordon0315]

It was actually a pep rally for all the Trojan winter activities. 7th grade thru High school...Basketball/ National Honor Society/ Swim Team/ Show Choir and so forth....good turnout....All the student/ athletes were there, to the best of my knowledge from Junior High to the Varsity. I don't think most the people there this evening know Andrew has to sit out 10 games, but all in all it was a good event.