Portsmouth Trojans 2023-24
Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2023 12:32 pm
The Portsmouth Trojans are beginning a new era in their storied history as 1978 alumnus Jeff Lisath is now the HC. Lisath brings many years of coaching experience to PHS, as he has amassed over 300 wins in his career, with stops at Columbus State, Chillicothe girls, Unioto, Piketon, and Dayton Northridge. Coach Lisath is a Trojan legend on the court, as he led PHS to the 1978 Class AA State Championship, scoring a total of 40 points in the 2 Final 4 games. His 22 points in the title game is a Trojan record that stands to this day. Jeff led Piketon to the school's only Final 4 appearance, that being in 2009. He also coached Northridge to 3 district titles and a regional runneup in 10 years, in the rugged SW district, after the school went 75 years without even a sectional title.
Lisath succeeds Eugene Collins, who had an outstanding career as HC from 2010-2023, compiling a very good record of 201--130 with back to back Final 4's in 2011 and 2012, and a regional final in 2015.
The Trojans will have to replace at least 30 points from last season, as starters Devin Lattimore and Kenny Sanderlin combined for that total, and adding the loss of 6th man Tyler Duncan, who had several games in double figures with a high of 21. PHS does return 6-2 SR DeAndre Berry, who tallied 17 PPG last season, while being named to the SE All-District team. Berry has a versatile offensive game, with the ability to knock the 3 down or dribble drive to the hole. Berry is only 320 points shy of becoming the 12th player in PHS history to amass at least 1,000 points.
There is some talent in the cupboard, though.......6-2 SR Donovan Breech had some good offensive games last season, and he has tirelessly worked out this season to improve his game. 5-9 SR Isaiah Lewis will be the PG, and his skill set fits what Coach Lisath wants to do.....push the ball up the court as fast as possible. Lewis has shown the ability to finish at the basket and can hit the 3 when needed. 6-2 SR Noah Livingston was a rebounding machine last season, and his experience as a LB in football should enhance that skill. 6-5 JR Luke Stine gives Trojans a defensive presence in the paint, and he has improved offensively as well. 5-10 SR LeVaughn Cobb returns to give PHS a fierce defender, while 6-0 JR Jayden Brewer will provide some more defensive hustle. 6-5 SO Olynshay McKinley will add some size to the roster, while 6-0 JR LeMarcus Parker has some of the best handles in the program which will be much needed. Rounding out the varsity roster will be sophomores Dontavion Parker, Kaleb Johnson, Leland Scurlock, Marquez Locklear, Jason Starr, Tyshone Henderson,and Jonathan Carter. There have been a few freshmen working out with the JV/Varsity......Tyson Craft, Jay Lofton, Jayden Harrington, Fernando Poxes, and JJ Henderson.
***Forgot to include 5-10 JR Malachi Loper in this original post. Moved in from Portsmouth Clay after they dropped soccer. Malachi had a very good sophomore season at Clay, when he averaged 17 PPG and was named 1st team All-SOC I, and he also made the all SE district team in D4 as well. Malachi is a very steady player, makes good plays and few mistakes; his handles are good and he can knock down the 3 pointer. He will be a huge asset to the Trojans.
Coach Lisath wants to employ a run and press style of play......suffocate teams by defending the entire court, while on offense the goal is to get the ball up the court as fast as possible. Lisath is demanding that his players be in outstanding physical condition, and in the non-mandatory workouts just completed, the participation numbers were good and there was a lot of running......and a lot of running.......and a lot of running.
Lisath has an outstanding staff to help him; Aaron Smith, who was an assistant last season, Jimmy Stanley, Joe and Jeremy Greene, Kevin Monroe, Craig Massie, and Jerald Gordon. Smith, Stanley, the Greene's, Massie, and Gordon are all PHS graduates, while Monroe had an outstanding basketball career at Portsmouth East, playing for Rick Hopkins. Joe Greene and Monroe will coach the JH squads.
Coach Lisath will be trying to end several dubious marks......PHS hasn't won the OVC since 2015, haven't won a sectional title since 2017, haven't won a district title since 2015, and a regional title since 2012. His ultimate goal is to put a 5th state championship banner on the wall at PHS. Listen to him talk and you will believe.
Portsmouth's all time record stands at 1,496--830, with 64 sectional titles, 37 district titles, 15 state tournament appearances, with 4 state titles and 4 state runnerups. The Trojans have an all time state tournament record of 16-11, and are 8-1 in their last 9 state semifinal games.
GO TROJANS!!
Lisath succeeds Eugene Collins, who had an outstanding career as HC from 2010-2023, compiling a very good record of 201--130 with back to back Final 4's in 2011 and 2012, and a regional final in 2015.
The Trojans will have to replace at least 30 points from last season, as starters Devin Lattimore and Kenny Sanderlin combined for that total, and adding the loss of 6th man Tyler Duncan, who had several games in double figures with a high of 21. PHS does return 6-2 SR DeAndre Berry, who tallied 17 PPG last season, while being named to the SE All-District team. Berry has a versatile offensive game, with the ability to knock the 3 down or dribble drive to the hole. Berry is only 320 points shy of becoming the 12th player in PHS history to amass at least 1,000 points.
There is some talent in the cupboard, though.......6-2 SR Donovan Breech had some good offensive games last season, and he has tirelessly worked out this season to improve his game. 5-9 SR Isaiah Lewis will be the PG, and his skill set fits what Coach Lisath wants to do.....push the ball up the court as fast as possible. Lewis has shown the ability to finish at the basket and can hit the 3 when needed. 6-2 SR Noah Livingston was a rebounding machine last season, and his experience as a LB in football should enhance that skill. 6-5 JR Luke Stine gives Trojans a defensive presence in the paint, and he has improved offensively as well. 5-10 SR LeVaughn Cobb returns to give PHS a fierce defender, while 6-0 JR Jayden Brewer will provide some more defensive hustle. 6-5 SO Olynshay McKinley will add some size to the roster, while 6-0 JR LeMarcus Parker has some of the best handles in the program which will be much needed. Rounding out the varsity roster will be sophomores Dontavion Parker, Kaleb Johnson, Leland Scurlock, Marquez Locklear, Jason Starr, Tyshone Henderson,and Jonathan Carter. There have been a few freshmen working out with the JV/Varsity......Tyson Craft, Jay Lofton, Jayden Harrington, Fernando Poxes, and JJ Henderson.
***Forgot to include 5-10 JR Malachi Loper in this original post. Moved in from Portsmouth Clay after they dropped soccer. Malachi had a very good sophomore season at Clay, when he averaged 17 PPG and was named 1st team All-SOC I, and he also made the all SE district team in D4 as well. Malachi is a very steady player, makes good plays and few mistakes; his handles are good and he can knock down the 3 pointer. He will be a huge asset to the Trojans.
Coach Lisath wants to employ a run and press style of play......suffocate teams by defending the entire court, while on offense the goal is to get the ball up the court as fast as possible. Lisath is demanding that his players be in outstanding physical condition, and in the non-mandatory workouts just completed, the participation numbers were good and there was a lot of running......and a lot of running.......and a lot of running.
Lisath has an outstanding staff to help him; Aaron Smith, who was an assistant last season, Jimmy Stanley, Joe and Jeremy Greene, Kevin Monroe, Craig Massie, and Jerald Gordon. Smith, Stanley, the Greene's, Massie, and Gordon are all PHS graduates, while Monroe had an outstanding basketball career at Portsmouth East, playing for Rick Hopkins. Joe Greene and Monroe will coach the JH squads.
Coach Lisath will be trying to end several dubious marks......PHS hasn't won the OVC since 2015, haven't won a sectional title since 2017, haven't won a district title since 2015, and a regional title since 2012. His ultimate goal is to put a 5th state championship banner on the wall at PHS. Listen to him talk and you will believe.
Portsmouth's all time record stands at 1,496--830, with 64 sectional titles, 37 district titles, 15 state tournament appearances, with 4 state titles and 4 state runnerups. The Trojans have an all time state tournament record of 16-11, and are 8-1 in their last 9 state semifinal games.
GO TROJANS!!