Black History Month and The Portsmouth Trojans

[trojandave]

This article is written in commemoration of Black History Month and the History of African-American Basketball Players and Coaches at Portsmouth High School.

Throughout the storied history of Portsmouth boys basketball, African-American players have made a huge impact on the long time winning tradition that dates back over 100 years. As far back as 1931, Carlos Parker was a member of the Trojan team that won the Class A state title that year, beating Canton McKinley. Black players during this era were not common, but as time evolved into the 1940's, more black players were on the Trojans' roster. In 1942, Matthew Johnson and Harry Kinney played on that team. Several years went by without any prominent African-American players, then in 1948 one player stood out for two reasons. James "Sweetwater" Douglas had perhaps the most colorful nickname in Trojan history, and not only that, but his steal and layup at the buzzer beat Lancaster for the district title that year.

The 1950's saw an increasing number of black players on Trojan rosters, and quite a few had very distinguished careers. Don Ellis, a member of the PHS Hall of Fame, led the Trojans to a district title that season. Soon after that, Leroy Carr was an outstanding athlete not only in basketball, but in football as well, as he was recruited by Ohio State for the gridiron. Carr averaged 23.6 PPG in 1954, which in that era was almost unheard of due to games being relatively lower scoring. Carr scored over 30 points in a game a number of times, and quite often jumped center at only 6-1. In 1955, Curt Gentry also excelled in basketball and football, and he led the Trojans to a #1 ranking that year. Portsmouth won the district but lost in the regional finals. Gentry would go on to a career with the Chicago Bears of the NFL.

In 1960, the groundwork for what was to happen the following year was laid by Coach George Heller. African-American players Mike Haley, Dozier Carter, Jim Malone, and Bill Parker all played for the Trojans that year, which ended with a district title. The experience gained by that 1960 team would culminate in a Class AA state title in 1961, as PHS defeated unbeaten Urbana. Haley would make the PHS Hall of Fame. In 1964, Larry Hisle and Al Oliver led the Trojans to a district championship, and the very next season, 1965, would see Hisle make 1st team All-American and average 25.5 PPG, at that time a PHS record for single season PPG. Hisle is still regarded by many as the greatest player in Trojan history. In 1967, Walt Mannon had a distinguished career, and he ripped the nets for 33 points vs. Greenfield McClain. Mannon's son, Damond, would become one of Portsmouth's most prolific scorers ever with a 26.5 PPG avg. in 1992. Charles Taylor averaged 20 PPG in the 1969 season, which culminated with a district title.

The 1970's saw a number of future PHS Hall of Famers grace the court with their basketball skills. Bo Clemens averaged 24.3 PPG in 1974, and Larry Greene in 1976 had an outstanding career as well. In 1978, the Hall of Fame duo of Jeff Lisath and Craig Tubbs led the Trojans to the school's 3rd state title, beating Cleveland Cathedral Latin in the Class AA state championship game. Lisath is the all time leading scorer in PHS state tournament play with 40 points, while Tubbs is right behind with 39. The following year, 1979, saw Tubbs, Scot Taylor, Jack and Marcus Bendolph help post the only unbeaten regular season in Trojan history, as PHS went 18-0 and was the Associated Press Poll Champions. Tubbs averaged 24.5 PPG that season, and accumulated 1,485 points in his career; at that time it made him the all time leading scorer in PHS history.

In 1980, Portsmouth fielded a team that many thought would not be that special; but led by point guard Marcus Bendolph, Coach Dick Hopkins' Trojans' advanced all the way to the state title game, losing to Hamilton Ross. Bendolph was the sparkplug of the team, and his winning 2 points in the regional final vs. Waverly sent the Trojans to St.John Arena and the state tournament. Bendolph led the Trojans in points in both games of that 1980 state tournament, scoring a total of 37 points. The decade of the 1980's saw four more black players make the Hall of Fame; Chris Gentry, Kyle Taylor, Darrin Miller, and Patrick Tubbs. All 4 played on at least 1 team that won a district title. Tubbs, the brother of Craig Tubbs, was a 3 year starter at point guard and scored 1,297 points in his career. In 1986, Coach Tom Smith started 4 African-American sophomores who would make yet another great moment in Trojan history. David Barnes, Dominic McKinley, Brent Calloway, and Patrick Tubbs led the Trojans to a 16-8 record. 2 years later these Trojans, with the addition of Bo Burns, and with first year head coach Joe Suboticki, would lead Portsmouth to the very first Division 2 state championship in OHSAA history. Not only that, but the team went 27-1, still the best record in PHS history. A footnote to that team was that Jeff Lisath became the 1st African-American assistant coach in PHS history.

Following that state championship season, for the next few years African-American players continued to play a key role in the program's unrelenting success. Portsmouth went 21-4 in 1989, 24-3 in 1990, and 22-3 in 1991. Craig Miller, Jeff Leonard, Jason Taylor, Daryl Lisath, Hall of Famer Damond Mannon, Dwayne McKenzie, Michael Parker, Phil Whitehead, and Eric Miller were among the standouts of that time. Whitehead would score 1,027 points in his career. 1994 saw yet another member of the Lisath family tree, Darnell, average 20 PPG and score 38 points vs. Greenfield McClain in the district final that season. In 1995, Mike Haley became the first African-American head coach in PHS history, and he came with a resume of 4 state titles as a coach with Dayton Roth and Dunbar. Haley went 34-30 in 3 years at PHS. The 1999 Trojans advanced to the regional semifinals, with Ray Robinson scoring 30 points in the regional semifinal loss to Philo.

The 2000's saw a couple of black players tally over 1,000 points for their careers. Dion McKinley and Wayne Evans scored 1,096 points in their Trojan careers, and in addition McKinley, Evans, Andrew Bendolph, and Zaide Whitley (Noel) led the Trojans to a D3 State Final 4 appearance. In 2012, all but Bendolph returned, and this time the Trojans advanced to the D3 state championship game, which was the 1st state title appearance since 1990. Coach Eugene Collins became only the 2nd African-American head coach in PHS history as he took over in the 2009-2010 season and guided PHS to those back to back Final 4's. Collins would coach 14 years, the 2nd longest in PHS history, and would compile an overall record of 201-130, with 2 Final 4's, 3 district titles, 1 regional runnerup, and 5 sectional titles. Collins would retire as the 2nd winningest coach in PHS history. In 2016, Kyre Allison would become the Trojans' all time leading scorer, as his outstanding career would end with 1,688 points. Allison would earn a basketball scholarship to Marshall University.

Currently Portsmouth is being led by its 3rd African-American coach in the last 31 years; Jeff Lisath, a 1978 state champion and PHS Hall of Famer, Lisath has come home to coach his alma mater and has already secured a winning season in his very first year. DeAndre Berry is a senior on the team who has already scored 1,087 points in his career and most likely will move up to the 7th all time scorer after this week.

African-American players and coaches have made a huge impact on the success of Portsmouth basketball. With this being Black History Month, this is the time to highlight the contributions of so many that have brought this program to one of Ohio's elite.

[Jeaux Burreaux]

Phenomenal read, well done!

[trojandave]

Thank you Jeaux Burreaux.......I proofread it a couple of times and did edit near the bottom to include DeAndre Berry being a senior on this year's team. Thought it would be proper to mention him along with this being Coach Lisath's first season.

[noreply66]

Nice article

[yabbadabbadoo]

Great read! Remember all of those players from the late 70's and on.

That Burg-Portsmouth game in 78 for the Sectional title is still one of the best games I've ever seen. Unbelievable talent on both teams that year. A lot of people said before the game that the winner would probably go on to win the state. Portsmouth won and went on to win the title.

[BigBlueNation]

This article is written in commemoration of Black History Month and the History of African-American Basketball Players and Coaches at Portsmouth High School.

Throughout the storied history of Portsmouth boys basketball, African-American players have made a huge impact on the long time winning tradition that dates back over 100 years. As far back as 1931, Carlos Parker was a member of the Trojan team that won the Class A state title that year, beating Canton McKinley. Black players during this era were not common, but as time evolved into the 1940's, more black players were on the Trojans' roster. In 1942, Matthew Johnson and Harry Kinney played on that team. Several years went by without any prominent African-American players, then in 1948 one player stood out for two reasons. James "Sweetwater" Douglas had perhaps the most colorful nickname in Trojan history, and not only that, but his steal and layup at the buzzer beat Lancaster for the district title that year.

The 1950's saw an increasing number of black players on Trojan rosters, and quite a few had very distinguished careers. Don Ellis, a member of the PHS Hall of Fame, led the Trojans to a district title that season. Soon after that, Leroy Carr was an outstanding athlete not only in basketball, but in football as well, as he was recruited by Ohio State for the gridiron. Carr averaged 23.6 PPG in 1954, which in that era was almost unheard of due to games being relatively lower scoring. Carr scored over 30 points in a game a number of times, and quite often jumped center at only 6-1. In 1955, Curt Gentry also excelled in basketball and football, and he led the Trojans to a #1 ranking that year. Portsmouth won the district but lost in the regional finals. Gentry would go on to a career with the Chicago Bears of the NFL.

In 1960, the groundwork for what was to happen the following year was laid by Coach George Heller. African-American players Mike Haley, Dozier Carter, Jim Malone, and Bill Parker all played for the Trojans that year, which ended with a district title. The experience gained by that 1960 team would culminate in a Class AA state title in 1961, as PHS defeated unbeaten Urbana. Haley would make the PHS Hall of Fame. In 1964, Larry Hisle and Al Oliver led the Trojans to a district championship, and the very next season, 1965, would see Hisle make 1st team All-American and average 25.5 PPG, at that time a PHS record for single season PPG. Hisle is still regarded by many as the greatest player in Trojan history. In 1967, Walt Mannon had a distinguished career, and he ripped the nets for 33 points vs. Greenfield McClain. Mannon's son, Damond, would become one of Portsmouth's most prolific scorers ever with a 26.5 PPG avg. in 1992. Charles Taylor averaged 20 PPG in the 1969 season, which culminated with a district title.

The 1970's saw a number of future PHS Hall of Famers grace the court with their basketball skills. Bo Clemens averaged 24.3 PPG in 1974, and Larry Greene in 1976 had an outstanding career as well. In 1978, the Hall of Fame duo of Jeff Lisath and Craig Tubbs led the Trojans to the school's 3rd state title, beating Cleveland Cathedral Latin in the Class AA state championship game. Lisath is the all time leading scorer in PHS state tournament play with 40 points, while Tubbs is right behind with 39. The following year, 1979, saw Tubbs, Scot Taylor, Jack and Marcus Bendolph help post the only unbeaten regular season in Trojan history, as PHS went 18-0 and was the Associated Press Poll Champions. Tubbs averaged 24.5 PPG that season, and accumulated 1,485 points in his career; at that time it made him the all time leading scorer in PHS history.

In 1980, Portsmouth fielded a team that many thought would not be that special; but led by point guard Marcus Bendolph, Coach Dick Hopkins' Trojans' advanced all the way to the state title game, losing to Hamilton Ross. Bendolph was the sparkplug of the team, and his winning 2 points in the regional final vs. Waverly sent the Trojans to St.John Arena and the state tournament. Bendolph led the Trojans in points in both games of that 1980 state tournament, scoring a total of 37 points. The decade of the 1980's saw four more black players make the Hall of Fame; Chris Gentry, Kyle Taylor, Darrin Miller, and Patrick Tubbs. All 4 played on at least 1 team that won a district title. Tubbs, the brother of Craig Tubbs, was a 3 year starter at point guard and scored 1,297 points in his career. In 1986, Coach Tom Smith started 4 African-American sophomores who would make yet another great moment in Trojan history. David Barnes, Dominic McKinley, Brent Calloway, and Patrick Tubbs led the Trojans to a 16-8 record. 2 years later these Trojans, with the addition of Bo Burns, and with first year head coach Joe Suboticki, would lead Portsmouth to the very first Division 2 state championship in OHSAA history. Not only that, but the team went 27-1, still the best record in PHS history. A footnote to that team was that Jeff Lisath became the 1st African-American assistant coach in PHS history.

Following that state championship season, for the next few years African-American players continued to play a key role in the program's unrelenting success. Portsmouth went 21-4 in 1989, 24-3 in 1990, and 22-3 in 1991. Craig Miller, Jeff Leonard, Jason Taylor, Daryl Lisath, Hall of Famer Damond Mannon, Dwayne McKenzie, Michael Parker, Phil Whitehead, and Eric Miller were among the standouts of that time. Whitehead would score 1,027 points in his career. 1994 saw yet another member of the Lisath family tree, Darnell, average 20 PPG and score 38 points vs. Greenfield McClain in the district final that season. In 1995, Mike Haley became the first African-American head coach in PHS history, and he came with a resume of 4 state titles as a coach with Dayton Roth and Dunbar. Haley went 34-30 in 3 years at PHS. The 1999 Trojans advanced to the regional semifinals, with Ray Robinson scoring 30 points in the regional semifinal loss to Philo.

The 2000's saw a couple of black players tally over 1,000 points for their careers. Dion McKinley and Wayne Evans scored 1,096 points in their Trojan careers, and in addition McKinley, Evans, Andrew Bendolph, and Zaide Whitley (Noel) led the Trojans to a D3 State Final 4 appearance. In 2012, all but Bendolph returned, and this time the Trojans advanced to the D3 state championship game, which was the 1st state title appearance since 1990. Coach Eugene Collins became only the 2nd African-American head coach in PHS history as he took over in the 2009-2010 season and guided PHS to those back to back Final 4's. Collins would coach 14 years, the 2nd longest in PHS history, and would compile an overall record of 201-130, with 2 Final 4's, 3 district titles, 1 regional runnerup, and 5 sectional titles. Collins would retire as the 2nd winningest coach in PHS history. In 2016, Kyre Allison would become the Trojans' all time leading scorer, as his outstanding career would end with 1,688 points. Allison would earn a basketball scholarship to Marshall University.

Currently Portsmouth is being led by its 3rd African-American coach in the last 31 years; Jeff Lisath, a 1978 state champion and PHS Hall of Famer, Lisath has come home to coach his alma mater and has already secured a winning season in his very first year. DeAndre Berry is a senior on the team who has already scored 1,087 points in his career and most likely will move up to the 7th all time scorer after this week.

African-American players and coaches have made a huge impact on the success of Portsmouth basketball. With this being Black History Month, this is the time to highlight the contributions of so many that have brought this program to one of Ohio's elite.

Great article trojandave.

[trojandave]

Thank you to all who took the time to read the article.

[BigBlueNation]

You're very welcome trojandave. I was trying to remember what time frame was Josh Shoemaker coaching Portsmouth.