Portsmouth Trojans 22-23 Basketball

[trojandave]

Still hoping for Coach Eugene Collins to reach 200 wins for his career. Right now, he stands at 196-124. George Heller is the all time leader in wins at Portsmouth HS, with a 224-137 mark from 1952-1968. He was the coach of the 1961 Big School (Class AA) State Champions. He also won 9 district titles and 2 conference championships (Greater Ohio League.....1955 and 1961). Between 1944-1961, the GOL won 11 Big School state titles, and at the time was widely regarded as the toughest basketball league in Ohio. Those 2 GOL titles are a very special part of Portsmouth's basketball history, given how tough that league was.

Coach Collins has 2 SEOAL titles (2011 and 2012), an OVC title (2015), 2 Final 4's (2011 and 2012), 1 state semifinal win (2012 Ottawa-Glandorf 74-66), 1 regional runnerup (2015.....lost to Columbus Eastmoor 49-45). He was the D3 State COY in 2012. Despite the recent struggles, he still has averaged 14 wins a year in his 14 year career.

Portsmouth HS needed 13 wins to reach 1,500 all time, and it looks like that mark might have to wait until next season. Current all time record is 1,491-824.

[Ovenmit]

Trojans lose a heartbreaker to Ironton 77-71 in OT at Ironton. Portsmouth had as much as a 16 point lead early in the 4th quarter, but Ironton's press caused a number of PHS turnovers which the Fighting Tigers converted into points. Devin Lattimore had 24 for the Trojans, while DeAndre Berry had 17. Portsmouth is now 2-5 in the OVC, and 4-7 overall, while Ironton is 4-1 in the OVC and 6-3 overall.

HORRIBLE no call with just seconds remaining when Devin Lattimore stole a pass and was headed to the bucket for the game winning layup, but incredible there was no call. He was tackled from behind, lost a shoe in the process, yet there was no whistle. That play had a direct affect on the outcome. No rational explanation for all 3 officials choosing to not blow the whistle on that play. Lattimore wasn't rewarded for a great play, but instead was punished with a no call.

Totally agree on that statement

[trojandave]

Portsmouth's slide toward a losing season continued at Chesapeake, as the Panthers survived a Trojan rally, and then extended their lead to double digits en route to a 56-41 win. The Panthers took a 21-17 lead at the half, pushed the margin to 31-19 in the 3rd quarter, then PHS trimmed the lead to 4 points with about 5 minutes remaining. PHS used a trap/press defense which caused a number of CHS turnovers, but the Panthers managed to hold off the Portsmouth rally and pulled away for good.

Portsmouth is now 4-10 on the season, 2-8 in the OVC. Chesapeake and Portsmouth both traded 15 points wins on their home court, with the Trojans winning earlier 59-44 at PHS. All time in OVC play, PHS and CHS are now tied at 9-9.

No official scoring available, but Devin Lattimore and DeAndre Berry led PHS. The PHS JV lost by 30, and are now 0-12 on the season.

Portsmouth hasn't had a winning season since 2018, when they went 16-8. Last year's Trojans went 11-11.

[MeanJoeGreene]

Strange team to figure out. Obviously capable of hanging with and beating the good teams on the schedule. But at this point, the record indicates what they are. It's tough, I truly thought the Trojans were going to have a winning season.

[trojandave]

On Tuesday the Trojans look to end one of, if not the longest losing streak against any opponent. Fairland has beaten Portsmouth 16 straight times after the Trojans swept the Dragons in their very first year in the OVC in 2015. PHS and FHS have met 6 times in tournament play, with Portsmouth leading the series 4-2. The Trojans beat the Dragons in 1981(sectional championship), 1990 (district championship), 1991(regional semifinal), and 2011(district semifinal). Fairland beat the Trojans in 1985(sectional championship) and 2021(sectional championship).

Portsmouth hasn't finished higher than 5th in the OVC final standings since 2018, when the Trojans finished 4th. Listed below are PHS's finishes in OVC play since its first year in 2015:

2015: 1st
2016: 2nd
2017: 3rd
2018: 4th
2019: 7th
2020: 5th
2021: 6th
2022: 6th

Currently PHS is in 7th place in the OVC with a 2-8 record, 1 game ahead of Rock Hill, 1 game behind Coal Grove for 6th place, and 2 games behind Chesapeake for 5th. Only 4 OVC games remain.

MeanJoeGreene: You and I are alike in our disappointment with this season. I didn't think there was anyway that we would be 4-10 and trying to stay out of the basement of the OVC.

[MeanJoeGreene]

Holy smokes, congratulations to the Trojans on one of the bigger wins in recent memory. This is a great example of how the Trojans could easily win every game on the schedule. I'll be the first to admit, I didn't expect a Trojan win tonight especially at Fairland. I'd love to see this win give them some momentum to finish the year strong (undefeated please) and be one of the hotter teams going into the tournament. There is talent on this team to make some noise.

[trojandave]

THE STREAK IS FINALLY OVER!!.....Portsmouth 80, Fairland 69

After 8 years and 16 straight losses, Portsmouth finally beat Fairland in boys basketball!! It didn't look that way at halftime, with the Dragons on top 38-30. Coach Collins started a different 5 after the half which COMPLETELY changed the course of the game.......Devin Lattimore, DeAndre Berry, Kenny Sanderlin, Tyler Duncan, and Donovan Breech. The Trojans went on to outscore FHS 50-31 in the final 2 quarters. It was team basketball at its finest.....everybody shared in the comeback. Devin Lattimore and DeAndre Berry scored 38 points combined even though they didn't start the game. Tyler Duncan scored 21 with some key 3's in the 2nd half, while Kenny Sanderlin perhaps played his best all around game. Donovan Breech hit a 3, attacked the glass, and was a big help on defense. There was little subbing in the final 2 quarters. The FT shooting was outstanding, and one of the reasons that the Trojans put up half a hundred in the 2nd half.

Without a doubt, this was the Trojans' best game of the season, beating a very good Fairland team on their court.

Portsmouth is now 5-10 on the season, 3-8 in the OVC, and now 3-15 vs. Fairland in all time OVC play. It was the first win vs. the Dragons on their court since the 2015 season, the Trojans' first season in the conference. PHS is now tied with Coal Grove for 6th place. JV team trailed 32-0, lost by about 30, and are now 0-13 on the season.

With 2 OT losses, 2 losses by buzzer beaters, 1 loss by 4 points, this 5-10 Portsmouth team could very well be 8-7 or 9-6.

Hopefully we will see more of what was seen vs. Fairland last night.......here is the remaining schedule for Portsmouth:

Friday: home vs. Rock Hill 1/27
Saturday: at North Adams 1/28
Tuesday: home vs. Minford 1/31......moved to Feb.17 to avoid long layoff between 2/10 and tourney starting on 2/21.
Friday: home vs. Gallia Academy 2/3
Saturday: at Portsmouth West 2/4
Tuesday: at Mars Hill (Cincinnati) 2/7
Friday: home vs. Ironton 2/10

GO TROJANS!!

[trojandave]

Portsmouth took a 1 point lead on DeAndre Berry's 10 foot jumper with 8 seconds to go, then caused a turnover on a Rock Hill inbounds play to edge the Redmen 76-75 at PHS. RH was up 38-30 at the half, but the Trojans rallied in the 3rd quarter behind Noah Livingston's 3 putback buckets and Tyler Duncan's 3 trifectas. The Redmen took a 75-74 lead with under a minute remaining, then Berry's shot gave PHS the lead for good.

Portsmouth is now 6-10 on the season, 4-8 in the OVC. Devin Lattimore and DeAndre Berry led PHS in scoring, while new starter Donovan Breech added 8 points and some solid defense. #22 for Rock Hill had an outstanding game for the Redmen, and overall RH was a very formidable opponent despite their last place standing in the OVC. They have improved a lot since their early games in the conference.

JV team lost and is now 0-14......the team is mostly freshmen.

Portsmouth coach Eugene Collins is 2 wins away from 200 for his career (198-124).

Portsmouth travels to North Adams tonight with the JV game starting at 5:30 due to homecoming for NA.

[trojandave]

After beating Rock Hill by 1 point Friday, the Trojans lost by 2 at North Adams on Saturday. The game was close all the way, with neither team having a double digit lead. With the game tied, NA's PG Copas drove the lane and dished off to a teammate for a layup with 4 seconds to go. DeAndre Berry got a final shot off for the Trojans, but it was off the mark, and Portsmouth went home with a 6-11 overall record. The Green Devils are a good well rounded team, and it was a loud home crowd. This might help PHS in the tournament to play in that kind of a setting, because the Trojans most likely will have to play on the road in the first round.

Devin Lattimore had 24, Berry had 22, and Kenny Sanderlin had 17. The PHS JV played one of their better games in losing, and are now 0-15.

North Adams' concession setup was the best I've ever seen.

[trojandave]

Also want to give a big shout out to the North Adams community for their recognition of military veterans before the game Saturday. They asked veterans to stand (I am a veteran) and each received a card of thanks for their service.

North Adams is a first class organization. They do things the right way.

[trojandave]

Portsmouth in OVC games only:

Offense: 63.4 PPG (1st in OVC)
Defense: 66.3 PPG (last--8th in OVC)

OVC record: 4-8

I think that tells the tale.

[trojandave]

Portsmouth started out slow vs. Gallia Academy, didn't show the energy that they showed in the previous 2 weeks, and ended up with a 65-55 loss. PHS dropped to 4-9 in OVC play, with a home game vs. Ironton on 2/10 to finish the conference schedule. The Trojans trailed at the half 31-25, but never could muster a serious rally to pull even with the Blue Devils. DeAndre Berry led PHS with 27 points. PHS now is 6-12 overall and unless the Trojans win 3 games in the tournament, are assured of a losing season for the 4th time in 5 years. PHS is 9-9 vs. GAHS in OVC play all time.

Portsmouth continues to struggle at home in OVC play. This year so far, they are 2-4, and last year were 2-5.

Portsmouth travels to Portsmouth West tonight for a non-conference game. The sectional tournament draw will be revealed on Sunday. Look for the Trojans to play on the road in the first game.

Since 2000, Portsmouth has tallied 12 losing seasons, but overall has compiled a record of 298-249.

Coach Eugene Collins still needs 2 wins to reach 200 for his career at PHS. He is currently 198-124 in this his 14th year. He has averaged 14 wins a year.

PHS started this season needing 13 wins to reach 1,500 all time (1,493-828 all time). Looks like that won't happen until next season.

[trojandave]

Looking ahead past this season, what are the possible starting lineups with the players currently in the program? Here's a guess as to what to expect:

2023-24:
Devin Lattimore 6-0 SR
DeAndre Berry 6-1 SR
Donovan Breech 6-3 SR
Noah Livingston 6-2 SR
Luke Stine 6-5 JR

2024-25:
Luke Stine 6-5 SR
Olynshay McKinley 6-5 JR
Landon Malone 5-8 JR
Leland Scurlock 5-10 JR
Dontavion Parker 5-9 JR

2025-26:
Olynshay McKinley 6-5 SR
Landon Malone 5-8 SR
Leland Scurlock 5-10 SR
Dontavion Parker 5-9 SR
Joe Greene 5-10 FR

The current varsity is 6-12, the JV is 0-16, and the JH finished 0-15. The JV was mostly freshmen, and had several that quit the team, while the JH was only 1 team comprised of 7th and 8th graders together. Combined, JV and JH are 0-31. 6-43 including the varsity record.

Things are looking bleak for the next 3-4 years of Portsmouth basketball. Hopefully it won't turn out that way.

[trojandave]

After a lackluster loss to Gallia Academy on Friday, the Trojans rebounded nicely with a 84-63 win at Portsmouth West. Devin Lattimore joined the 30 point club on www.trojanhoops.org., with a 35 point effort, while DeAndre Berry added 28. PHS is now 7-12 on the season, with games remaining at Mars Hill on Tuesday, home vs. Ironton on Friday, and home vs. Minford on 2/17.

Big moment in the game when Senior Brock Anthony scored his first Trojan basket with just seconds to play. Congratulations to Brock!!

Congratulations to the Portsmouth Junior Varsity which got their 1st win of the season and are now 1-16. There will be no JV game at Mars Hill.

Yesterday Coach Collins took both the varsity and JV teams to Indianapolis to see the Cavaliers vs. the Pacers. Just another thing behind the scenes that Coach has done time and again for the kids he has coached. He's taken the Trojans to Florida 4 times for the KSA tournament.

Coach Collins notched his 199th career win with the victory over West. Going for 200 this week.

Also a BIG thank you to the Portsmouth Athletic Boosters for recognizing me at the Gallia Academy game for my historical essay on the Trojans history which was included in the Winter Sports Program.

[trojandave]

Portsmouth's defensive woes are revealed by the fact that 7 times the opponent has scored at least 70 points, with a high of 91 scored by Gallia Academy. Offense is the Trojans' strength which is supported by the fact that they have scored 70 or more points 8 times, with a high of 84 vs. Portsmouth West. 3 times PHS has scored at least 80 points, those being 80 vs. Fairland, 82 vs. Gallia Academy, and 84 vs. West.

PHS is dead last in the OVC in PPG allowed, with 66 PPG. No surprise, then, that they are 4-9 in conference play. Portsmouth hasn't finished in the top 4 of the OVC (8 teams) since 2018. Overall, Portsmouth has averaged 64 PPG offensively. This team averages more PPG on offense than the 2011 State Tournament team (61.30), the 2015 Regional Final team (59.45), and is only 1.25 behind the 2012 State Runnerup Team (65.25).

The defense is why I'm not that confident going into the tournament. The offense will keep us in the game, but the defense has to get key stops, especially in the 4th quarter. Not getting key stops is why the Trojans in close games have lost more than they have won.

Offensively, I'll put the threesome of Devin Lattimore, DeAndre Berry, and Kenny Sanderlin against any 3 in the SE district. Unfortunately, that may be a moot point if the defense doesn't decide to show up when it matters.

Are the Trojans good enough offensively to beat Peebles and South Point? Yes. Consistent enough on defense? No.

[trojandave]

Portsmouth defeated Mars Hill Academy 68-54 on Tuesday. PHS is now 8-12 on the season, and play at home vs. Ironton on Friday. DeAndre Berry had 21 points, while Kenny Sanderlin had 16 and Devin Lattimore 11. There was no JV game.

[trojandave]

Portsmouth will look to end a 9 game losing streak to Ironton on Friday. The Trojans haven't beaten the Fighting Tigers since a 71-56 win in 2018. All time, Portsmouth leads the series 92-75. Also, PHS will be looking to better it's home OVC record. To date, they are 2-4 with a win needed to better the 2-5 mark of a year ago. One of the major reasons Portsmouth has stayed in the bottom half of the OVC since 2018 is because they have not fared well in home OVC contests. PHS had a winning record in road OVC games last season, going 4-3. This season, they finished 2-5, with the wins coming at Fairland and Rock Hill. Portsmouth has lost 2 OVC games at home this season on buzzer beaters, the first by Coal Grove (72-71) and the 2nd coming by South Point (56-53 OT).

[trojandave]

With 2 more wins, Portsmouth will have its 87th season of at least 10 wins. To get that though, comes a difficult task. Ironton tonight, Minford next Friday, at Peebles in the first round of the sectional, and if the Trojans win that game, at South Point for the regional championship.

Looking forward tonight to see Coach Collins recognized for his 200 wins as coach of the Trojans.

[trojandave]

Very disappointing effort from the Trojans as the Ironton Fighting Tigers won their 10th straight vs. Portsmouth with a 79-64 win at PHS. The Trojans trailed only 38-33 at the half, but PHS's defense in the 2nd half was horrendous with IHS getting layup after layup. At one point in the 2nd half Ironton stretched the lead to 24 points. You would think the Trojans would show a little extra effort considering that Ironton has been a 100 year rival, but they basically let the Fighting Tigers do about anything they wanted in the final 2 quarters. Only the heroic effort of Kenny Sanderlin kept the game from being a complete embarrassment. He scored 28 points, mostly in the 2nd half.

PHS finishes 4-10 in OVC play, 2-5 at home in the conference for the 2nd year in a row. The Trojans finished in 6th place in the OVC final standings, the 5th year in a row that Portsmouth hasn't finished higher than 5th. Ironton has won 10 in a row vs. the Trojans. PHS still leads the series 92-76. Portsmouth finished as the worst defensive team in the OVC, giving up 67 PPG.

The PHS JV lost by about 20, but has shown some improvement lately, especially 6-4 FR Olynshay McKinley. Still, they are 1-17.....Junior High 0-15.....Varsity 8-13.....combined 9-45....things look grim for the future of Trojan basketball with 2 starters, Kenny Sanderlin and Tyler Duncan gone after this year.

There was a so-called ceremony honoring Coach Collins for his 200th win, but it was poorly done. It seemed rushed after the Senior Night announcements. I took a short bio note on Coach Collins career to the scorer's table, and thank you to PA announcer Trent Williams for reading it. Otherwise, if I had not given that bio to him, there was nothing else prepared as to his background and record. The ceremony should have taken place before the Senior Night announcements. This is a man who has given 14 years of his life to PHS basketball and it should have been more isolated to honor him rather than rush it after the Senior Night business. Disappointed also in the crown reaction. Not a lot of applause for him.....shame on our fans for not taking a few moments to honor Coach. Fans can disagree with his coaching all they want, but those same fans could at least show a little more respect for what he has done.

Going forward, if the Trojans play against Minford like they did last night, the Falcons will beat the Trojans by 30 or more if they want. And the opening round of the sectional vs. Peebles will result in Portsmouth's season ending in Adams County.

[trojandave]

After a dismal 4-10 finish in the OVC, Portsmouth landed in the #6 spot in the final standings. Here are the Trojans' finishes in each of their 9 years as a member of the conference:

2015: 1st
2016: 2nd (Fairland champion)
2017: 3rd (Fairland champion)
2018: 4th (Fairland champion)
2019: 7th (Fairland champion)
2020: 5th (Fairland champion)
2021: 6th (Fairland champion)
2022: 6th (Fairland champion)
2023: 6th (South Point champion)

Overall record vs. all OVC schools in conference play since 2015:

Fairland.............3-15
Ironton..............6-12
South Point.........10-8
Coal Grove.........10-8
Chesapeake.........9-9
Gallia Academy.....9-9
Rock Hill............16-2

Total: 63-63

Portsmouth is dead last in the OVC in defense, giving up 67 PPG. No surprise given their 4-10 finish. All games considered, PHS has given up 70 or more points 8 times and scored 70 or more 7 times.