Portsmouth Trojans 2013-2014 Preview

[trojandave]

portsmouthtrojans59: Right now, the Trojans have 20 games and are still looking for 2 to fill the 22 game schedule........they are going to Florida over Christmas break, opponents there TBD. PHS opens the season at Wheelersburg. There are 8 home games with Coach Collins trying to find a couple more. The transfer situation didn't work out, which would have been a big bonus for the Trojans, but it didn't sour the upcoming season.

Hopefully, our kids can get through football season without any major injuries, because 4 projected starters are getting a lot of gridiron minutes, with a couple of other kids who played last year also playing football. Kyre Allison is not playing football, as is freshman Kendall Reynolds (almost 6-3). Look for Reynolds to see varsity minutes this year, as he showed in the summer that he can play at the varsity level.

The biggest challenge for the Trojans in 2013-2014 will be rebounding........if they can do an adequate job in that area, they could have a really good team.........this will be one of the more athletic teams the Trojans have fielded in quite a while........most likely will start 3 guards, which will be one of the best trios in the Southeast District. Portsmouth will put an experienced team on the floor, which will be a big asset. Inexperience more than anything else last year cost PHS a winning season.

[PTrojan59]

Thanks for the info Dave

[trojandave]

Don't have the official dates, but the Trojans will be scrimmaging at Groveport vs. Groveport and Columbus Bishop Hartley, at Unioto vs. Unioto and Dayton Northridge, and at Waverly.

[oldtrojan]

Don't have the official dates, but the Trojans will be scrimmaging at Groveport vs. Groveport and Columbus Bishop Hartley, at Unioto vs. Unioto and Dayton Northridge, and at Waverly.

Dave, can you post the schedule for the season please? Also I know the schools probably are not finalized for the Florida trip but do you know the exact dates?? Thanks in advance...

[trojandave]

oldtrojan: Right now, I don't have the official schedule with dates included........I do know we open the season Dec.3 (Tuesday) at Wheelersburg, and another game is Sat.7th at Ironton. Don't know if we have a game on Friday the 6th. Coach Collins is still looking for 2 more games. The Florida schedule hasn't been set yet, but I know the preliminary bracket has Portsmouth and Logan Elm in it........that could change though as the event gets closer. Hopefully our kids can get through these last 2 football games without any injuries, considering that there are 4 basketball starters who are also starting in football.

When I get the official schedule, I will post it if someone else doesn't. Hope to see you at a game, with your man row buddies........ :122245

[blue53]

http://myohsaa.ohsaa.org/public/schedule.aspx

12/3/2013
7:30 PM PORTSMOUTH @ WHEELERSBURG
12/6/2013
8:00 PM PORTSMOUTH @ JACKSON
12/10/2013
7:30 PM PORTSMOUTH @ WARREN
12/14/2013
6:30 PM JOHN HAY @ PORTSMOUTH
12/17/2013
6:00 PM PORTSMOUTH @ SOUTH POINT
12/21/2013
7:30 PM LOGAN @ PORTSMOUTH
1/10/2014
7:00 PM PORTSMOUTH @ GALLIA ACADEMY
1/11/2014
7:30 PM PIKETON @ PORTSMOUTH
1/14/2014
7:30 PM PEEBLES @ PORTSMOUTH
1/17/2014
7:45 PM JACKSON @ PORTSMOUTH
1/24/2014
7:30 PM WARREN @ PORTSMOUTH
2/1/2014
7:30 PM PORTSMOUTH @ LOGAN
2/6/2014
7:45 PM IRONTON @ PORTSMOUTH
2/11/2014
7:00 PM PORTSMOUTH @ CHILLICOTHE
2/14/2014
7:45 PM GALLIA ACADEMY @ PORTSMOUTH
2/15/2014
7:30 PM PORTSMOUTH @ MINFORD

[trojandave]

Thanks, blue53 for the Trojans' schedule..........I do know from looking at Ironton's schedule on SEOPS, that the Trojans are supposed to play at Ironton on Sat.Dec.7th which is not listed on the PHS schedule you posted.......also, the 3 Florida games are not listed.......those will be played over the Christmas break. That would be 20 games total, but Coach Collins is still looking for 2 more games if he hasn't filled them by now. Also, Portsmouth is trying to get the Dec.10 Tuesday game at Warren moved to a Friday or Saturday........going to Warren on a Tuesday means that the kids won't get back until 12 midnight or 1:00 AM with school the next day.

[trojandave]

Scrimmage schedule for the Trojans:

Nov.13 Wednesday........at Unioto, with Unioto/Dayton Northridge 6PM
Nov.16 Saturday...........at Groveport, with Groveport/Bishop Hartley
Nov.19 Tuesday............at Waverly, with Waverly/Miami Trace 6PM
Nov.22 Friday..............at OVC preview.......site and opponent TBD
Nov.26 Tuesday............at Northwest 5PM

[blue53]

You're welcome. OHSAA can be a little slow to update sometimes

[WarriorBlue]

Portsmouth is trying to get the Dec.10 Tuesday game at Warren moved to a Friday or Saturday........going to Warren on a Tuesday means that the kids won't get back until 12 midnight or 1:00 AM with school the next day.

That may be tough one. Warren has a huge game that Saturday Dec 14th against Fort Frye. Big in county rivalry game. I'm almost sure the Warriors don't want a back to back with the Trojans & Cadets. That's just crazy! 12am is late maybe they can find a spot later in the month.

GO BIG BAD BLUE!

[trojandave]

WarriorBlue: As of right now, the game is still on for the 10th. Tuesday is an awkward day of the week for the kids to travel that far, but the SEOAL is the SEOAL. Our Trojans know how good Warren is, and regardless of when the game is played, Coach Collins will have them ready and focused. Hopefully we can play well and give the Big Blue all they want.

Although it is not officially confirmed yet, Columbus Marion-Franklin looks to be another home game added to the Trojans slate. If it becomes official, Portsmouth has a very challenging schedule outside the SE District, with Cleveland John Hay (tripleheader), Marion-Franklin, and 3 games in Florida.

Games between Cleveland schools and Portsmouth are very rare. Twice the Trojans have met Cleveland schools in the Final 4. In 1978, Portsmouth beat defending state champion Cleveland Cathedral Latin 63-62 to win the Class AA crown, and in 2011 Cleveland Central Catholic ended the Trojans season in the state semifinals with a 58-47 win. Portsmouth is 7-3 all-time vs. Marion-Franklin. The last game between the Trojans and Red Devils in 1995 ended in a 95-59 MF rout of Portsmouth at PHS. Coach Collins played on a Trojans team in 1983 that beat the Red Devils, completing a 4 year sweep of MF. If my records are correct, the MF game will be the first contest between PHS and a Columbus City League school since 2003, when Columbus Independence beat the Trojans, finishing a 2 year home and away sweep.

[WarriorBlue]

No doubt in my mind the Trojans will give us "all we want". From what I saw this summer not only my Warriors had better look out for Portsmouth but the SE DIII teams better be ready cause I FIRMLY believe Portsmouth will win a District title. When you have a player the caliber of a Kyre Allision on the floor, you have a chance to win every night. Allision is an ELITE player that does everything well. The Trojans will be very good this year. The Warriors will be ready as well. Two fantastic games 4sure!!


GO BIG BAD BLUE!

[trojandave]

Looks like the Marion-Franklin game is off...........and Cleveland John Hay is not finalized as of yet.........but there is still some work being done to get a couple of games.

I know the varsity will lack size this year and maybe next, but I did happen to take a peek last night at junior high tryouts........and the size issue should be resolved in a couple of years........the 8th grade team has 4-5 kids at least 6-0 or 6-1, with some good guards to go with them.........I look for the 8th graders to have a really good year.

[trojandave]

Cleveland John Marshall is now a possibility for a game.........also, the Trojans are still scheduled for the Ironton Classic, but opponent is to be determined. Originally thought the game was to be Fairland, but apparently not. Portsmouth is still listed on John Hay's schedule per the OHSAA schedule website.

[trojandave]

Went to the OHSAA's website to check out how Portsmouth ranks in the state in all-time wins.......with records from 1916-2010, PHS ranked 14th in the state. Including 1913 (0-3), 1914 (4-5), 1915(11-5), 2011(21-5), 2012(24-3), and 2013(10-13), the Trojans now have a record of 1,344-731, which would put them #10, right behind Barberton, and just ahead of Strasburg(Franklin) and Steubenville, providing that those schools numbers have been updated. Portsmouth is second in most state appearances with 15, tied for 4th for the most state championship game appearances with 8, and tied for 5th in state championships with 4. Only Canton McKinley has made more state appearances (28), and has been to state tournament in every decade except 2010-present. Portsmouth is second in most decades appearing in the state, having missed the state tournament only from 1950-1959 and 2000-2009. The Trojans got close to the state in 1954 and 1955, only to lose in the regional finals both years. The OHSAA state tourney began officially in 1923. PHS is 8-1 in its last state semifinals games, and 6-1 in the last 7 regional final games.

To be #10, #2, #4, #5, and #2 in those categories listed above certainly qualifies Portsmouth High School as one of the all-time elite programs in Ohio, most especially in state tournament performance.

[oldtrojan]

Found this updated schedule on the schools website today. Can't wait to get home to see a few games. Slight possibility I may go to Orlando to see the Trojans in the KSA games!!!
2013 Boys Varsity Basketball Schedule
Date Opponent Time
12/03/2013 @ Wheelersburg High School 7:30 PM
12/06/2013 @ Jackson High School 7:30 PM
12/07/2013 @ Ironton High School 7:30 PM
12/10/2013 @ Warren High School 7:30 PM
12/17/2013 @ South Point High School 7:30 PM
12/21/2013 Logan High School 7:30 PM
12/22/2013 @Faith Baptist Christian Academy (GA) 1:30 PM
12/27/2013 KSA @ Orlando FL
12/28/2013 KSA @ Orlando FL
12/30/2013 KSA @ Orlando FL
1/04/2014 Cleveland MLK Jr. 3:00 PM 5:00 PM
01/10/2014 @ Gallia Academy High School 7:30 PM
01/11/2014 Piketon High School 7:30 PM
01/14/2014 Peebles High School 7:30 PM
01/17/2014 Jackson High School 7:30 PM
01/18/2014 Ironton High School 7:30 PM
01/24/2014 Warren High School (Homecoming) 7:30 PM
02/01/2014 @ Logan High School 7:30 PM
02/11/2014 @ Chillicothe High School 7:30 PM
02/14/2014 Gallia Academy High School 7:30 PM
02/15/2014 Minford High School

[trojandave]

old trojan: There have been some additions and subtractions with the schedule, and I checked about them today........Cleveland John Hay is scheduled to play at PHS on Sat.Dec.14th. The Trojans will not be playing in the Ironton Classic, which was to be the Faith Christian Academy game. Instead, Portsmouth will play in the Wellston Classic on Sat.Jan 25th, opponent to be either South Webster or Fairfield Christian(they made the D4 Final 4 last season). With these changes, the Trojans will have a 22 game schedule. KSA schedule still to be determined.

I really wish I could go to Orlando, but right now it is off.......but there is a possibility that things could change between now and then.

[trojandave]

The 2013-2014 Portsmouth Trojans varsity roster:

Isaiah Lisath...........6-0.......12
Kahlil Lattimore.......5-10.....12
Alex Grashel...........6-1.......12
Alex Dickerson........6-2.......11
Hunter Gibson.........6-4.......11
Sky Oliver..............5-11......11
Micah Williams........6-4.......11
Grant Underwood....6-3........11
Michael Sturgill.......6-0........11
Kyre Allison...........6-1........10
Zach Delotell.........5-10.......10
Kendall Reynolds....6-3..........9

[urban buck]

How is Alex Dickerson doing?

[trojandave]

I didn't go to the scrimmage in Columbus against Groveport Madison and Bishop Hartley, but I did talk to an individual who did go, and he told me that Alex really played well, which is encouraging to hear. Against Unioto and Dayton Northridge, Alex played well except that he hardly took any shots. He has a nice jumper, especially from each corner, and can finish around the basket with his above average vertical. I'm hoping for about 10 PPG from Alex, but he will have to look to shoot when the opportunity is there. He will be a key player for Portsmouth considering the team's lack of size in the paint. But he can't grab every rebound........it will definitely have to be rebound by committee for the 2013-2014 Trojans.

The Trojans split with Bishop Hartley, and lost both quarters to Groveport Madison.