Portsmouth Trojans 2024-25

[Prime Time]

I must agree with last two posts, from looking at the schedule 6-9 wins is what I predict. Good Luck Trojans thou.

[trojandave]

Just heard some terrible news about Logan Adkins.......he tore his ACL and will be out for the whole season. Big blow to the Trojans. He was a projected starter who was capable of going off with some 20 point games. I would say that SR Jayden Brewer could be his replacement in the starting lineup.

The 10 game difference with the transfers obviously took a downturn with the news of Allen, but considering what I witnessed the last 2 seasons from the JV squad, I still feel good about having at least a winning season. The transfers will make a difference, even with the loss of Adkins.

Excited to hear that Coach Smith wants to play fast, which plays into our strengths of speed and athleticism. The strongest part of our roster are guards.

[PTrojan59]

Hate to hear Adkins will miss the basketball season due to injury. Big loss for the Trojans as he was slated to have a big impact.

[trojandave]

As big a loss as Adkins is, I point out that 2 years ago we lost Devin Lattimore, Kenny Sanderling, and Tyler Duncan, who combined for 40-45 points a game, sometimes 50. It looked bleak last season with little returning in terms of experience. We managed to go 17-7 with DeAndre Berry having a great year and Donnovan Breech emerging as a 2nd scorer.

So I'm not writing off this season; we still have excellent guards, but honestly to fill Logan's spot will be a big challenge for Coach Smith. Perhaps 6-5 JR Olynshay McKinley would be an option to go along with 6-5 SR Luke Stine. Having two 6-5 kids is something we haven't had for quite a while.

[PTrojan59]

TrojanDave when you get a varsity roster if you wouldn’t mind posting it, I’d greatly appreciate it.

[Hoopster98]

I hate to say it but I think it will be a long year for the Trojans. I think Coach Smith will do a great job but sometimes your X's aren't good enough. Getting the transfers is always helpful but I don't think Thomas and Woods make the Trojans a 10 win team. Even with Adkins I couldn't see them winning more than 8 games. Loper and Thomas will now get the opposing teams #1 and #2 defenders instead of getting each teams #3 defenders or #4 defenders. Loper and Thomas had a lot of good opportunities last year due to the players they were playing with, Loper ( Berry, Breech, Lewis) and Thomas ( Barbarits, Metzler, Bradford). It will be interesting to see how they do with being the main scorers this season. Both can shoot the 3 but now you must be able to create. Defense will be key factor for the Trojans this season and hopefully playing good defense will create your offense but getting in a high scoring game does not suite the Trojans this season. Let your defense become your offense. Just my opinion on the Trojans this season and going by last years productivity.

[Prime Time]

Hoopster excellent post, after Adkins lost my expectations for this team has a 5-8 wins.

[HamPorter]

I hate to say it but I think it will be a long year for the Trojans. I think Coach Smith will do a great job but sometimes your X's aren't good enough. Getting the transfers is always helpful but I don't think Thomas and Woods make the Trojans a 10 win team. Even with Adkins I couldn't see them winning more than 8 games. Loper and Thomas will now get the opposing teams #1 and #2 defenders instead of getting each teams #3 defenders or #4 defenders. Loper and Thomas had a lot of good opportunities last year due to the players they were playing with, Loper ( Berry, Breech, Lewis) and Thomas ( Barbarits, Metzler, Bradford). It will be interesting to see how they do with being the main scorers this season. Both can shoot the 3 but now you must be able to create. Defense will be key factor for the Trojans this season and hopefully playing good defense will create your offense but getting in a high scoring game does not suite the Trojans this season. Let your defense become your offense. Just my opinion on the Trojans this season and going by last years productivity.

Good post. Just because you can score in the soc1, doesn’t mean that it will be that easy in the ovc

[Hoopster98]

It is a bit different but Thomas is a good basketball player. I just think the expectations of him coming out and scoring tons for the Trojans should be simmered down. Like i said, he will be guarded by the #1 or #2 defender for the opposing team. Competition is different from SOC I and OVC but I think Thomas will be able to hold his own. Woods may struggle a little bit but I'm sure by the end of the season they will adjust. Loper had to adjust I'm sure last season as well. Once again, my opinion after diving into this

[trojandave]

Hoopster98: I respect your post and your breakdown of how you think the season will go. You make some valid points. Losing Adkins will hurt no doubt. Remember, though, that every other team has flaws and weaknesses, so the Trojans aren't unique in that aspect. In addition, the transfers are now a year older with more experience. Last year hardly anybody thought that Donnovan Breech would do what he did last season, averaging 13 PPG and making honorable mention all-state. Maybe someone will emerge as this year's Donnovan Breech. You are correct in that our defense must create offensive opportunities. I've watched these kids over the course of the summer and they showed the ability to create off the dribble instead of just relying on the 3 ball. Add to all this the unknown about Coach Smith. He may coach the team to its strengths while minimizing weaknesses.

I'm just not going to write off the season before a game hasn't been played. I may be the fool in what I'm forecasting, but so be it. I'd rather be an optimist whose wrong rather than a pessimist whose right.

[Hoopster98]

Dave, more fans need to act like you. You do not get defensive at all about a post. You are correct about not saying Thomas would score a ton, I should of worded it better, that expectations should lowered to start due to the changing of roles and competition. I believe Coach Smith will coach to the teams strengths and having 2 veteran coaches around him will help tremendously.

[trojandave]

Hoopster98: I respect others' opinions because I'm not a talent scout, just a fan, and there are others like you who know a lot about basketball. I can tell by your posts that you know the game.

The schedule has been revised that I posted on an earlier page. PHS is now playing in the Ironton Classic vs. Spring Valley, and are not playing Fairfield Union. 21 games as of now, maybe will add a game later. Waverly is a foundation game.

[BandWagon]

Does anyone know who the Trojans play this weekend in the ovc preview

[BuckeyeBlood]

Basketball is basketball people, Thomas, Woods, Dukes, the kid from New Boston can all go, the OVC isn’t some world class conference. Trojans maybe not win 15 games but I think 8-10 games is realistic, more if they had Adkins.

[Hoopster98]

Yes, basketball is basketball, but the competition level is different. The SOC I level of basketball night in and night out is not very competitive. A #3 defender in SOC I is almost like a #6 defender in the OVC conference. The speed and physicality of the OVC is different as well. This is why I stated it will take some time to get used to this. The Dukes kid has 0 varsity experience and jumping from SOC I to OVC varsity is a big jump especially with 0 varsity experience. Not saying the kid can't do it but once again it will take time. The NB kid did not score much in the SOC, he is a solid defender on the ball which Coach Smith will need. He will bring a lot of energy defensively but limited on the offensive end. I'm really looking forward to seeing how rest of the Trojans will contribute. Coach Smith will have some depth especially if he wants to get up and down. Having only 1 kid having varsity experience from the jv last year will more than likely begin with a slow start. The most important part is that you want to play your best basketball towards the end of the year. The Trojans will only have 2 returning kids that contributed last year and Thomas who has a year of varsity experience under his belt. It will be a process but hopefully the Trojan faithful is patient and understand championships are not won after the first 10-12 games. The good news is that Coach Smith was there this summer, so they are familiar with what he expects. Looking forward to seeing D. Parker, Scurlock, McKinley, J. Parker and D. Woods find their roles for The Trojans. Just because you're not in the starting five, does not mean you can't contribute. Not saying they will come off the bench, but these are the kids that played mostly JV last season with the exception of Scurlock and D. Parker who saw varsity time.

3 good defenders in D. Parker, D. Woods, and Valentine. All 3 can guard F/C man and can apply pressure.

[trojandave]

The Trojans are scheduled to play Rock Hill in the OVC preview, and they will play first with the Lady Trojans also scheduled to play. Starting time is listed at 12:45.

[BuckeyeBlood]

Yes, basketball is basketball, but the competition level is different. The SOC I level of basketball night in and night out is not very competitive. A #3 defender in SOC I is almost like a #6 defender in the OVC conference. The speed and physicality of the OVC is different as well. This is why I stated it will take some time to get used to this. The Dukes kid has 0 varsity experience and jumping from SOC I to OVC varsity is a big jump especially with 0 varsity experience. Not saying the kid can't do it but once again it will take time. The NB kid did not score much in the SOC, he is a solid defender on the ball which Coach Smith will need. He will bring a lot of energy defensively but limited on the offensive end. I'm really looking forward to seeing how rest of the Trojans will contribute. Coach Smith will have some depth especially if he wants to get up and down. Having only 1 kid having varsity experience from the jv last year will more than likely begin with a slow start. The most important part is that you want to play your best basketball towards the end of the year. The Trojans will only have 2 returning kids that contributed last year and Thomas who has a year of varsity experience under his belt. It will be a process but hopefully the Trojan faithful is patient and understand championships are not won after the first 10-12 games. The good news is that Coach Smith was there this summer, so they are familiar with what he expects. Looking forward to seeing D. Parker, Scurlock, McKinley, J. Parker and D. Woods find their roles for The Trojans. Just because you're not in the starting five, does not mean you can't contribute. Not saying they will come off the bench, but these are the kids that played mostly JV last season with the exception of Scurlock and D. Parker who saw varsity time.

3 good defenders in D. Parker, D. Woods, and Valentine. All 3 can guard F/C man and can apply pressure.

Who’s J Parker? I know most of the team but not all so just curious.

[trojandave]

BuckeyeBlood: The only Parker I know of on the team is Dontavion Parker, also known as Dee.

[trojandave]

PTrojan59: The roster is listed on the 1st page of the thread. I think I got everybody on it; I listed 16 players.

[trojandave]

Here is my all decade starting 5's, starting with 1950-59; PHS Hall of Fame members are listed with HOF, or making any All-Ohio designation is listed:

1950-59: Curt Gentry HOF, Don Ellis HOF, Bert Barney HOF, Richard Klitch HOF, Leroy Carr 23.6 PPG in 1954

1960-69: Mike Haley All-Ohio, Larry Hisle 1st team All-American, Charles Taylor, Walt Mannon, Clem Hartley

1970-79: Bo Clemens HOF, Mike Lovenguth HOF, Jeff Lisath HOF, Larry Greene HOF, Craig Tubbs All-Ohio

1980-89: Kyle Taylor HOF, Darrin Miller HOF, Patrick Tubbs All-Ohio, Chris Gentry All-Ohio, Marcus Bendolph

1990-99: Damond Mannon HOF, Phil Whitehead 1,027 pts., Darnell Lisath, Stephen Greene, Kirk Thompson

2000-09: Greg McKinley HOF, Justin Nelson, RK Thurman, Charlie Doll, Anthony Williams

2010-19: Kyre Allison D3 Ohio POY, Dion McKinley D3 Ohio POY, Wayne Evans, Jayllen Carter, Tory Horne

2020-24: DeAndre Berry All-Ohio, Donnovan Breech All-Ohio, Devin Lattimore, Kenny Sanderlin, Matthew Fraulini

A total of 20 players listed either made the PHS HOF or made one of the All-Ohio teams, with Larry Hisle being the only player to make 1st team All-American. There were a few that were not All-Ohio or HOF members that I felt deserved to be on the list, for example Leroy Carr, who in 1954 had 5 games scoring over 30 points and averaged for the season 23.6 PPG. 2 players, Dion McKinley and Kyre Allison, were the only players to be named POY in their division, both in D3.