Final: Portsmouth 52 Chillicothe 42

[trojandave]

A win for the Trojans will give them a strong chance to get the #2 seed at Jackson, so this game is for more than the SEOAL standings.

In the first game between PHS and CHS, the Cavaliers' press was THE reason they won at Hatton Gymnasium.......the Trojans had a 26-19 lead at the half, but turnovers created by the full court press of CHS led to PHS's demise........still, Portsmouth was only down 45-42 with just about 3 minutes to play, but Jalen Ragland stepped up and hit two big 3's to stretch the lead to 51-42.

It will be interesting to see if Coach Kellough decides to press this time around with Andrew Bendolph back.........I seriously doubt that it will be nearly as effective this time around.......but Portsmouth will still have to bring their A game to win.........Chillicothe is the best team the Trojans have played (with the exception of perhaps Los Alamitos, CA). One interesting matchup to watch will be Andrew vs. CHS PG Tyler Manion, which obviously didn't happen in the first meeting.

I am proud of how the Trojans have played defense this year.........the most points PHS has given up is 68 by Warren.........since Andrew Bendolph has come back, the Trojans have allowed 60, 53, 44, 41 and 38 points, while holding opponents to well under 40% shooting and creating 15+ turnovers a game. Even before AB came on board, PHS was giving up only 51 PPG.

Portsmouth has had talent for the last 4-5 years, but what separates this team from the previous years is the defense.........finally, PHS is getting it done on the stop end of the court.

[trojandave]

Once again, the Trojans have a chance to end the L--O--N--G losing streak vs. Chillicothe.......CHS has won 14 in a row and now LEAD the series 41-40. Portsmouth has never beaten the Cavaliers in SEOAL play, going 0-9 since starting league play in 2005-06.

One sad note about the series between the two schools.........when I was up at Hatton Gymnasium last week watching Hillsboro vs. CHS, I happened to be looking at the Hall of Fame pictures of former great Cavalier athletes (Chillicothe does a GREAT job of preserving their history........best I've ever seen for any school) and I came upon the bio of Gary Hall, who was the leading scorer on the 1961 CHS squad that lost to Portsmouth 52-51 in the 1961 district finals (PHS went on the win the state). He had an outstanding career for the Cavaliers, but sadly passed away from cancer just over a year later.

The 1961 Chillicothe Cavaliers' tallest starter was only 6-1, yet they won the Central Ohio League that year and almost upset Portsmouth in the district. The Trojans' team that year featured a starting lineup of 6-6, 6-5, 6-5, 6-5 and 5-10.

[buckcraze]

Several things have not gone well in my life lately so I am going to use some reverse psychology...I am taking P-town by 15 in their home gym. I honestly apologize to P-town fans due to the fact that if I bet on the weather in the desert right now I would lose. ;-( LOL Good luck to both teams I really wish I could get down there and see the game but I have to take care of things up home. Players and fans: root hard, play hard, but remember to treat each other with dignity and respect, it is fun but still just a game.

[bballin]

I look for Chilly to win this one by 5.

[PTrojan59]

All Trojan fans wear Red for the Red out.... Go Trojans !

[ohbuckeye2]

actualy the crew was one man short ,and I will be doing the game.......good thing Im honest huh? [/quote]

Bigdowg....I got it. Tobias, troandave, and yourself slip on the striped shirts and whistles. Something tells me Chillynwould need to be spotted 20 points tonstart off with.[/quote]

They would have to play this game Half Court and have alot of Official Time outs............ :122245

Good Luck to both Teams, should be a great game.

[bvmv4life]

Hoping the weather doesnt screw the game up...

[trojandave]

bvmv4life: The latest forecast for Portsmouth is for rain on Tuesday.......high 45........and Chillicothe is supposed to have rain, with a high of 36........there might be some freezing rain overnight up in Ross County, but the precipitation is supposed to be all rain tomorrow and even into Wednesday.

[bvmv4life]

Ill be there no matter what.....even taking the night off of work....this game will be another classic...ill give my prediction tomorrow.....Go Cavs!

[biggdowgg]

Ill be there no matter what.....even taking the night off of work....this game will be another classic...ill give my prediction tomorrow.....Go Cavs!

me to....after the game

[biggdowgg]

actualy the crew was one man short ,and I will be doing the game.......good thing Im honest huh?

Bigdowg....I got it. Tobias, troandave, and yourself slip on the striped shirts and whistles. Something tells me Chillynwould need to be spotted 20 points tonstart off with.[/quote]

They would have to play this game Half Court and have alot of Official Time outs............ :122245

Good Luck to both Teams, should be a great game.[/quote]

you got that right,,Dave still runs about 10 miles a day,so he wouldnt have a problem :122246

[Trojan_FB_Alum]

Yeah I think Dave would wear alot of the boys out. haha

[bvmv4life]

As of 7:00 Chillicothe is on a two hour delay...its a mess up here...hopefully the temperature rises quickly before they cancel......Go Cavs..

[mysonsfan]

The home court crowd can make a differance in this game...Portsmouth's Cheer Block is one of the best in southern Ohio!
Go Trojans! TOGETHER...We Are 1

[bvmv4life]

Just as i posted that earlier,the basketball gods warmed up the temp and kids are on their way to school....we got lucky,columbus cancelled all their schools...

[bigcline81]

tonight should be a very good game im pertty pumped for tipoff and its still a long time away lol

[bvmv4life]

Well here we go again Chilly and Portsmouth fans,round 2 tonite from Waller.....there are a few keys things that Chillicothe has to do to get a "W"....1. Limit TO's,that has been an achilles heel for the Cavs,especially in big games...Tyler sometimes wants to make the great pass or play tooo fast not letting the offense set up...when he plays under control he's imo one of the best pg's in the SEOAL....2. Malik has to be active on defense and offense,coming off a so so game at Marietta,he has played big in these games,last year he had a monsterous tip back dunk with the game on the line...he has to be strong! He will get his blocks,the offense is what they need also.....3. Jalen is coming off a very hard week for him as he lost his grandfather...alot of people were down on him at the Marietta game,little did they know he was playing as his grandfather was having his viewing,kudos for him playing at that time....if Jalen gets his stroke going tonight it could be "lights out"!
The Cavs will have their hands full with a Portsmouth team that has been making noise since the return of AB...i havent seen the kid play since he was a freshman....im sure he's a BALLER! Eventhough we are league foes im sure im going to be following the Trojans has they make a long tourney run.....Good Luck to both teams tonight and leave it all on the court,Cavs go to Waller and squeak out one in a CLASSIC Chillicothe/Portsmouth game...

GO CAVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[trojan7]

Almost Time. Bout 4 hours and 30 minutes or so away!! Can't wait!!!! Get your popcorn ready. It's going to be a packed and loud house tonight. Also don't Trojan fans don't forget to wear RED! Good Luck to both teams tonight for an injury-free matchup. Safe travels to the Chillicothe faithful. Go Trojans!!

[biggdowgg]

you better bring your popcorn with you,,we havent had popcorn since moving across the street....

[Cameron34Crazie34]

Would love to be there watching the Trojans if West wasn't at home tonight. I had the opportunity of watching the first matchup with trojandave and trojan7, had a good time with them. This game should be a dandy one with Bendolph back.

Go Trojans!