Portsmouth Trojans 2024-25

[trojandave]

The Portsmouth Trojans will begin the 2024-25 with a new basketball coach. Last year's coach, Jeff Lisath, resigned his position as the HC of the Trojans, with the deadline for the accepting of applications being August 19th. The odds on favorite for being the successor to Lisath is Aaron Smith, who was the varsity assistant last season and has been on staff for the last few years.

Portsmouth is coming off a 17-7 season, which featured the 1st winning season since 2018, the 1st sectional title since 2017, the highest finish in the OVC since 2016 (2nd), and also saw seniors DeAndre Berry and Donnovan Breech make all-state honors.

The varsity Trojans have been the beneficiary of several transfers, those being Dayquan Woods and Connie Thomas from Notre Dame, Logan Adkins from Wheelersburg, and Tyreek Lewis from New Boston.

PHS fielded a freshman team for the 1st time in several years, and the 8th grade team is considered to be the favorite to win the OVC. Manny Thomas, Connie's brother, transferred from Notre Dame and will be a very good addition at guard. Another kid transferred in from Portsmouth West (don't know his name), but he is another player who will see PT on this squad. Coaches Kevin Monroe and Joe Greene guided this group to only 2 losses last season as they played 8th grade teams as 7th graders.

PHS begins this season with an all time record of 1,532 wins, 854 losses, with 15 state appearances which is 4th all time in Ohio. 4 state titles (1931, 1961, 1978, 1988) and 4 state runnerups (1934, 1980, 1990, 2012).

[A Trojan Confluence]

Thank you trojandave for starting this thread. I think we all wait for you to start it!

So there's no word on applications or interviews yet? With the deadline of August 19th, you'd think there would be more word out there.

Have you seen or know anything about the transfers coming in? Will they fill in the voids from Berry and Breech? Where do you see them fitting in the lineup? I was aware of the ND and Burg transfers but not of the West.

[trojandave]

A Trojan Confluence: Haven't heard any progress yet on the coaching search, but I would think that with the application deadline already over a week old, there should be a decision made soon. Of course protocols have to be followed to be fair to all applicants.

As far as how the transfers will figure in the rotation, this is my projected starting 5 right now for the varsity Trojans:

Luke Stine..........6-5 SR
Malachi Loper......5-10 SR
Connie Thomas....5-9 JR......from Notre Dame
Dayquan Woods....5-10 JR....from Notre Dame
Logan Adkins.......6-2 JR......from Wheelersburg

As far as replacing DeAndre Berry and Donnovan Breech, who made all-state last season, right now there's no one that has proven that they can reach that level. However, from what I saw this summer, the new coach does have some talent to work with. What I like about my projected starting 5 is that there is a player for all positions. Stine in the post, Thomas at PG, Loper at the 2, Adkins a wing, and Woods rounds out a 3 guard setup. One thing that should be a big plus this season is that the Trojans should have a much more productive bench. The new coach can probably go at least 10 deep depending on how many he wants to play.


Off the bench: (could be a starter in this group)

Jayden Brewer............6-0 SR
Leland Scurlock...........5-9 JR
Dontavion Parker..........5-9 JR
Olynshay McKinley........6-5 JR
John Carter................6-1 JR
Tyshoun Henderson......5-10 JR
JJ Henderson.............5-9 JR
Jayden Harrington.......5-8 JR
Fernando Poxes..........5-9 SO
Tyreke Lewis.............5-9 JR.....from New Boston
CreShawn Dukes.........5-10 SO...from Notre Dame

[trojandave]

There are also a few football players that played last year that were not listed above; Kaleb Johnson, 6-1 JR, Cam Williams, 5-6 SO.

[trojandave]

Someone whispered in my ear that at least a dozen applicants have applied for the job, some not local but I'm not at liberty to reveal any names. It is somewhat surprising to see that many coaches apply, especially this late, but I guess it could be because the Portsmouth job is still one of the most coveted in the SE district. Tradition rich, interest in the community always high, the talent and potential to build off a successful season from a year ago, with the ultimate goal of getting back to the state tournament. Adding in the fact that the 8th grade Trojans could be the next great class of basketball players to play for PHS.

Hopefully whomever the athletic dept./administration/school board hires, that person will not only make a good bond with the players returning, but at the same time is willing to make a long term commitment (at least 5 years or more).

Coaches who have coached PHS for at least 5 years:

George Heller: 1952-1968...............224-137
Eugene Collins: 2010-2023..............201-130
Richard "Red" Hopkins: 1926-1936.....168-58
Tom Smith: 1982-1987...................108-35
Richard "Dick" Hopkins: 1976-1981.....103-34
Bob Doll: 1969-1975......................85-59
Jim Rhea: 1996-2001.....................81-52
Bill Rohr: 1947-1951......................80-29
Richard "Rick" Hopkins: 2002-2006.....44-66

[A Trojan Confluence]

A dozen? This late in the hiring season too! I would think an existing coach would not leave their team this late, and there are probably no jobs available at the schools that need filled at this point. I hope whoever the new coach is can find a supporting cast of assistants. It's already week 2 in football - Beat West!

That is an impressive list of longterm coaches. It's great to see Eugene Collins and Tom Smith at the games. I think I have seen Jimmy Rhea at a couple or tournaments over the years. Rick Hopkins too.

This led me to thinking - trojandave has seen more games than any Trojan fan. Without question. I think Eugene and Tom are near the top as well in addition to few others out in the stands.

[trojandave]

Another transfer that I forgot about in my opening post. Creshawn Dukes is a 5-10 SO, transfer from ND. I watched him this summer at open gym and this kid is oozing with talent. Could possibly dress varsity at some point of the season.

I edited my roster post above to include him.

One thing that has emerged out of all this "controversy" is a deep pool of basketball players, probably the deepest in several years. The new coach will have a number of options to mix and match players.

[trojandave]

While we're waiting for the new coach to be named, here's a few PHS historical notes regarding individual marks, with years accomplished listed:

All time leading scorer: Kyre Allison..........1,688 points 2013-2016
Highest Single Season Avg. (full season):.....25.5 Larry Hisle 1965 (Hisle 1st team All-American)
Most Points in A Regular Season Game:.......46 Matthew Fraulini 1/11/2019
Most Games with 30 or More Points in a Game:.....7 DeAndre Berry 2024
Most Points In Any Tournament Game:.....38 Darnell Lisath 1994 vs. Greenfield McClain district championship
Most Points in Any Regional Game:.........36 Mike Lovenguth vs. Celina in 1972 AAA regional semifinal
Most Points Combined by 2 Players in a State Tournament Game: Jayllen Carter (23) Wayne Evans (22) vs. Ottawa-Glandorf 2012 State Semis
Most Points in Any State Tournament Game: 24.....David Barnes vs. Mansfield Malabar 1988 D2 State Semifinals
Most Points in A State Championship Game: 22......Jeff Lisath.....1978 Class AA state championship vs. Cleveland Cathedral Latin
Most Points Total by 1 Player in A State Tournament: 40.....Jeff Lisath.......1978 Class AA State Tournament
Most Points Total in A Tournament Run: 160.....Craig Tubbs......1978 Tournament (8 games)
Players With At Least 40 Points in A Single Game: 46 Matthew Fraulini (2019), 44 Jayllen Carter (2012), 42 Dion McKinley (2012), 41 Larry Hisle (1965), 40 DeAndre Berry (2024)
Only Player to Lead PHS in Scoring in Both State Tournament Games: Marcus Bendolph (21 in semis, 16 in state championship vs. Hamilton Ross (1980)
Most Points by A Lady Trojan in A Final 4 Game: 12 Sienna Allen vs. Ottawa-Glandorf in the 2024 D3 State Semifinals
Most Points by A Freshman in A Single Game: 26 Kyre Allison vs. Logan 2013; Andrew Bendolph 26 vs. Chillicothe in 2008 (CHS won D2 state in 2008)

[Moses Guthrie]

The Portsmouth Trojans will begin the 2024-25 with a new basketball coach. Last year's coach, Jeff Lisath, resigned his position as the HC of the Trojans, with the deadline for the accepting of applications being August 19th. The odds on favorite for being the successor to Lisath is Aaron Smith, who was the varsity assistant last season and has been on staff for the last few years.

Portsmouth is coming off a 17-7 season, which featured the 1st winning season since 2017, the 1st sectional title since 2017, the highest finish in the OVC since 2016 (2nd), and also saw seniors DeAndre Berry and Donnovan Breech make all-state honors.

The varsity Trojans have been the beneficiary of several transfers, those being Dayquan Woods and Connie Thomas from Notre Dame, Logan Adkins from Wheelersburg, and Tyreek Lewis from New Boston.

PHS fielded a freshman team for the 1st time in several years, and the 8th grade team is considered to be the favorite to win the OVC. Manny Thomas, Connie's brother, transferred from Notre Dame and will be a very good addition at guard. Another kid transferred in from Portsmouth West (don't know his name), but he is another player who will see PT on this squad. Coaches Kevin Monroe and Joe Greene guided this group to only 2 losses last season as they played 8th grade teams as 7th graders.

PHS begins this season with an all time record of 1,532 wins, 854 losses, with 15 state appearances which is 4th all time in Ohio. 4 state titles (1931, 1961, 1978, 1988) and 4 state runnerups (1934, 1980, 1990, 2012).

Thanks Dave for the info. Check your records but I believe we last had a winning record in 2018. That would have been DJE, D Jordan, and Reese J senior year..

[trojandave]

Moses Guthrie: You are correct about 2018 being the last winning season. We went 16-8, finished 4th in the OVC, and lost to Lynchburg Clay in the sectional tournament at Waverly.

I take a lot of pride in being accurate in what I post, and I appreciate any corrections that need to be made. Thanks for setting the record straight. I edited it above and made the correction.

[trojandave]

Another tidbit of historical info:

Highest Point Game For A Freshman: Kyre Allison 26 vs. Logan in 2013, and Andrew Bendolph had 26 vs. Chillicothe in 2008 (Chillicothe won the D2 state title that year).

This info was added to the post above "individual scoring statistics of note."

[trojandave]

The latest news on the coaching search is that there is no news other than the process is still ongoing.

[wipala]

been following this post for some time and it is just really hard to let it soak in that
PHS, in September, has yet to hire officially a boys basketball coach and staff.....this
is totally crazy!!! I read where Lisath sold them up the river (imo) and there was still
time to take care of business. The team, which I am naming "The unwanted 12" needs
to have a coach and NOW!!
Just my two cents worth
Having said that,,,,"Go Trojans"

[Cruise]

If I was a player on Portsmouth I would leave if they can’t name a coach by the end of THIS week. Why stay at a place that no one makes your future a priority? Send a message and leave Portsmouth City Schools. We Are 1, doesn’t sound like the AD and Board think so.

[Hoopster98]

It’s not that easy just to leave. They should have left right after summer basketball if they wanted to. The longer it goes, the more chances of Coach Smith being the coach increases. Who is running concession? That will give you a good indication btw

[BandWagon]

I don’t get how the school can consider Aaron when we had a player from last year get on here and say he was cussing at them out during practice and what has Aaron really accomplish or do to become head coach all the Jv teams he’s coached in the past years hasn’t had a winning record and this summer he didn’t do good coaching the varsity

[trojandave]

Cruise: It is unfair to make the statement that "no one" cares about the future of the basketball players at PHS. First, we don't know who the coach is going to be, and second, whomever the coach is might have a genuine concern about the players. I'll give you that the coaching situation has been mishandled which could and should have been decided long before September.

But "no one" cares? You're insinuating an indictment against the new coach and the athletic dept./administration that has no factual basis.

[trojandave]

Bandwagon: Aaron Smith was put in a difficult situation in that he had to coach the team in June when it was really Jeff Lisath's responsibility since he accepted his rehire in May. Instead, while Lisath was looking for games for Dayton Northridge when he was supposed to be the Trojans HC, summer basketball was dumped on Aaron's lap while Jeff remained silent about his future at PHS.

If this player whom you're talking about experienced how Aaron treated him, then I don't approve of it. With that said, that shouldn't nullify Aaron as a viable candidate to be the next HC. Aaron, like me or you, can learn from his mistakes and strive to see that those things which may have rubbed players the wrong way won't happen again. He does have a lot of experience being varsity assistant and JV coach, and I can say that watching that JV team last year, no matter the coach, they would have had a losing record. They had a losing record in JH, went 1-18 two years ago, and 5-14 this past season. What's ironic is that I think that group has matured somewhat and will be a big help to the varsity.

Summer basketball is not a true indication of a coach's ability. In many cases some players just don't show up or are on vacation so the roster is very fluid. I know that one key player had a severe ankle injury early in June and basically sat out the rest of the month rather than risk further injury.

So who do you want to be the coach? What reasons do you have for your preferred person to be the HC of the Trojans? Is it because you just like this person personally, or do you really think all things considered that he will be better than Aaron?

[Cruise]

Cruise: It is unfair to make the statement that "no one" cares about the future of the basketball players at PHS. First, we don't know who the coach is going to be, and second, whomever the coach is might have a genuine concern about the players. I'll give you that the coaching situation has been mishandled which could and should have been decided long before September.

But "no one" cares? You're insinuating an indictment against the new coach and the athletic dept./administration that has no factual basis.

Where did I say no one cares? I never used those words. I stand by what I said. The boys deserve better than this.

[BandWagon]

Trojandave you are right the summer doesn’t matter but Aaron is this viable candidate to be the head coach the summer should of went a little better then it did the trojans are going to have a good team this year they need a good coach to go with it not someone who thinks he deserves it because he’s been there for a while