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

[jgordon0315]

^^^^^^^^ You're confusing to me bball06. All you got out of that post was my reference to the Bannon Park Classic??? Sheesh! It's about the journey. My post had nothing much to do about the Bannon Park Classic, other than that it is one pit stop that this group, as a collective unit, had as apart of their JOURNEY. All these kids were apart of all of those different pit stops along the way with the exception of Zaide Whitley....anything he gives us is a bonus. And you keep saying "you don't see it" (the leadership) Get your eyes checked. It's there!

[El Ray]

I hope your right...time will tell...Go Trojans

[trojandave]

I have been to the OHSAA state tournament 21 of the last 22 years, and I can say this with confidence.........the Trojans have the talent and coaching to make it to the state in D3.........however, the chemistry is not quite there yet.......but chemistry is a process that takes half a season or even a full season to develop........it doesn't happen after 1 or 2 games........and not having the full roster available makes chemistry a more challenging task.

Portsmouth has lost its tournament credibility, not having advanced out of the sectional since 2004.......some people, and rightfully so, don't believe in the Trojans until they live up to the talent that is there.......we are pegged every year as a dangerous team come sectional time, but every time we flame out before "basketball thirty" at the Convo.

I am hoping, with many other Trojans backers, that we can finally break out of this tourney malaise that we've been in........but results, not hype, will tell the tale.

I was very encouraged by what I saw the other night at the Chesapeake scrimmage........the Trojans were missing 4 key players, Bendolph, Whitley, Jordan, and Bratchett.......yet PHS played the Panthers very tough, losing by about 13-15 points total in 6 quarters.......and CHS has their 3 starters back from that Final 4 team........Colin Kennedy, Nathan Copley, and Austin McMasters........Wayne Evans did a very good job running the point, and Dion McKinley at times dominated......he nailed three 3 pointers in the first quarter alone.......I thought the defense was very good overall, as we defended the perimeter especially well........it was easily Portsmouth's best showing in the preseason.

Mason Jordan did return last night, playing in the JV tournament........this gave Mason a chance to develop some conditioning for the South Webster game.......he will play a key role in subbing for Tre or Dion.

[El Ray]

Good to hear TrojanDave...Again to all I don't doubt the talent level...it is definitely there but as I have said I have seen several talented PHS teams the last few years underachieve...to me there is nothing worse...but it sounds like yesterdays scrimmage is a step in the right direction and hopefully something to build off of...also I think the coaching staff they have assembled is impressive

To jgordan...my point is simply lets do something in the regular season and tournament when it counts...I have seen many a player perform well on the playground but be average in a real game...I just want this group to realize how talented they are but more importantly what it takes to be a champion...if they focus and listen to their coaching staff they can be very good and in my opinion make a nice tournament run

[wipala]

trojandave,,thank you for your comments..being in AZ we just do not get info on ohio., I have said it before and will say it again,,Thank you and all the people that post about SE ohio sports...great job...Now back to my beloved Trojans..yes, they have lost the tourny credibility, there was a day if you drew the Trojans you started making plans for next season,,this group can regain that (from what I have been reading) if a leader steps up...when the first real jump ball comes it is a lot different than all the stuff that has been going on...the TROJANS will step up...will they lose games,,,yes...will they compete in those games,,,YES...and come end of regular season the Trojans should be a very good team..Coach C was a great choice to lead the school back...give him and the youth a strong backing--win or lose a game---let them know you are there and will be until the last horn!!!! Thank you for letting me get my two cents worth in...pfloyd, keep up the great eight and God Bless-----wipalawalt

[biggdowgg]

This team will go as far as THEY take themselves, every player on the team has to WANT to win EVERY game,and play EVERY play,and not take plays off,I have seen it to many times a bad team will beat a good team if they play and hustle every time up and down the floor.

[jgordon0315]

I guess I should've said: scrimmages, summer leagues, and open gym, and just not mentioned the Bannon Park Classic. Lol!! Why you keep harping on the Bannon Park Classic and playground ball, when I was only using it in correlation with "the journey" of this team over the past 12 months???? I'm not talking about streetball. I'm only talking about the unity of this team. Chemistry! No doubt I've seen many a players look like All Americans on the playground, but look like stiffs when they hit the hardwood. It's the popcorn effect! Some kids tighten up when they smell that popcorn in the gymnasium. But no doubt bball06, like you said, this team still has to prove it on the court. But I just don't see how you don't see it??? I hope you're wrong, hahahaha.

[trojandave]

Zaide Whitley may be back for the South Point game......if not, good chance that he will play vs. Warren on 12/17........Zaide will be a big help for PHS.

[TribeManiac10]

Zaide Whitley may be back for the South Point game......if not, good chance that he will play vs. Warren on 12/17........Zaide will be a big help for PHS.

Did he play with the team at all over the summer? I know he wasent playing at Rio Grande or the two seperate scrimmages at Portsmouth that Peebles was involved in....just want to know if anyone has seen him play in any competitive capacity after his freshman year at the burg.

[biggdowgg]

TribeManiac10

no Zaide did not play any summer ball, he did not transfer in untill after .

[trojandave]

There is sort of a mystery element with Zaide playing for the Trojans......we don't know exactly how he will play, but he was good enough to get minutes on the Burg varsity two years ago........he did not play last year, but he has a pretty impressive resume as a high school athlete.......basketball, soccer, football, and track I believe......and has been fairly proficient at all of those sports.

Two things I definitely think he will bring to the team.......the ability to hit the 3, which is what he did for the Burg, which right now is much needed at PHS, and also the athleticism to guard........Zaide is a muscular kid who stands about 6-1.

[trojandave]

The game at Chillicothe, originally scheduled for Tuesday, Jan.4th, has been moved to Wed.Jan 5th, because of the Ohio State--Arkansas game which is to played on the 4th.

[R-STREAK]

Zaide will play into your roster just fine..he is a great athlete and a good kid

[LetsGoPSU]

its going to take a near perfect game and a little bit of that luck to knock off a very good Warren team Go Trojans

[independent2012]

its going to take a near perfect game and a little bit of that luck to knock off a very good Warren team Go Trojans

Are you serious, Portsmouth does not have to play a nearly perfect game to beat Warren,just a good solid performance should be enough,this team is loaded,to much down low for Warren to handle,IMO.

[biggdowgg]

good luck , Portsmouth

[PTrojan59]

The snow is here and Portsmouth was closed today. There is a good bit outside, and im woundering if they close down again tomorow, will the game vs Warren still be played ?

[trojandave]

After some talk of Portsmouth moving to another bracket at the KSA Holiday Classic in Orlando, the Trojans will stay in the bracket previously listed on this thread........PHS's first game will be Monday, Dec.27th vs. Pace, FL(20-8 last season), and if Portsmouth wins that game, they will play the winner of Los Alamitos, CA(23-7) vs. Melbourne, FL(14-10) on Wednesday, Dec.29. PHS will conclude play with a 3rd game on Thursday, Dec.30th vs. a team in the lower bracket.

All the schools other than Portsmouth are OHSAA equivalent D1 schools, some which are larger than St.Xavier or Mentor. The Trojans will have to play their best to come away with some wins, but even if they don't, it's good to see our kids play some top notch out-of-state competition, and get a nice trip to sunny(maybe) Florida as well.

[trojandave]

This is the toughest stretch of the regular season for Portsmouth.......3 straight games in 3 days in Florida vs. all D1 schools, then the first game of 2011 is at Chillicothe on Wed.Feb.5th.

Would love to come out of this 2-2, but that will be challenging.......regardless, I think the Trojans will be a better basketball team for playing such good competition.

[trojan7]

Tobias,
Heard last night the Marietta game was rescheduled to the 22nd.