Portsmouth Trojans 2021-22

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trojandave

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The Portsmouth Trojans will return much of the varsity roster from a year ago. Portsmouth will be trying to end a streak of 3 straight losing seasons, which is only the 3rd time in school history that's happened. Coach Eugene Collins returns for his 13th season, which is the 2nd longest in Trojan history. Even with the struggles of the last 3 seasons, Coach Collins has still averaged 15 wins a season with an overall record of 181-105, with 2 Final 4's, 3 regional final appearances, 3 district titles, and 5 sectional championships. The back to back Final 4's in 2011 and 2012 were the first time in PHS history for back to back state appearances. The Trojans are the last SE district school to have won a state semifinal game, that being a 74-66 win over Ottawa-Glandorf in 2012. PHS lost the 2012 D3 state title game to Cincinnati Summit Country Day. Portsmouth enters this season with an all time record of 1,476--805.

Here is the varsity schedule for the Trojans in 2021-22:

11/26 H Ripley OH
11/27 H Hillsboro Christian
12/7 H South Point
12/10 A Chesapeake
12/11 vs. Whiteoak at Shawnee State
12/14 A Fairland
12/17 H Rock Hill
12/20 A Minford
12/28 A Wheelersburg
1/4 H Gallia Academy
1/7 H Ironton
1/8 H West Union
1/11 A Coal Grove
1/14 A South Point
1/18 H Chesapeake
1/21 H Fairland
1/25 A Rock Hill
1/28 A Gallia Academy
1/29 H North Adams
2/4 A Ironton
2/5 A Portsmouth West
2/11 H Coal Grove

Varsity Roster for 2021-22, with last year's starters marked with an #.

Dariyonne Bryant..........6-3 SR #
Donovan Carr.................6-0 SR #
Daewan Spence.............6-3 SR
Cooper Maxie.................6-5 SR
Amare Johnson..............5-7 SR #
Dante Hamrick...............5-9 SR
Kenny Sanderlin.............6-1 JR
Tyler Duncan...................6-0 JR
Reade Pendelton...........5-10 JR
Devin Lattimore.............6-0 SO#
DeAndre Berry...............5-10 SO
LeVaughn Cobb.............5-11 SO

The Trojans will be without the services of Drew Roe, 5-9 SR, who had surgery for a football injury and will miss the entire season. Roe was the starting PG last season.

Portsmouth plans to utilize their athleticism and quickness to pressure opponents. So far in scrimmages, PHS has employed full court pressing, trapping, and hard half court man to man. They still have to polish what they're doing, especially in the half court offense. The Trojans, though, will win games by playing fast and by forcing turnovers. The starting lineup this season could include a few changes, namely Daewan Spence, Tyler Duncan, and Kenny Sanderlin. Spence has played very well with his scrappy play on the boards and on defense. Duncan is the best perimeter shooter in the program, which is much needed as the Trojans don't have a lot of threats from the arc. Sanderlin will occupy the PG position in place of the injured Roe, and his ability to penetrate the lane and draw fouls will put him on the line for a lot of FT's. Lattimore and Bryant have caused havoc out front in scrimmages with their defensive prowess, and Carr should be ready in a week or so after injuring an ankle in football. Amare Johnson is another player who will missing time due to a football injury.

The Ohio Valley Conference has been dominated by Fairland as the Dragons have won the last 6 conference titles. This year, however, could be the biggest test for FHS to repeat as they lost some significant players. Portsmouth will have an excellent chance to challenge for the title. The Trojans were the last school to win the OVC before Fairland's run, that being in 2015.

Portsmouth's JV squad should have a very good season, with 6-1 SO Noah Livingston, 5-9 SO Isaiah Lewis, 5-8 SO Marcel Woods, 6-2 SO Donnovan Breech, Norris McKinley, and 6-3 FR Luke Stine, with Cobb and Berry splitting time between JV and varsity.
 
 
Going into this season, here are a few facts and figures about the history of Portsmouth basketball since 1913:

80 winning seasons
84 seasons of at least 10 wins
45 seasons of at least 15 wins
33 seasons of at least 17 wins
19 seasons of at least 20 wins
Only 1 losing decade in school history (2000-2009, 100-121)
15 state tournament appearances, 4th all time in Ohio all divisions
Made the state tournament in 8 different decades (1920's, 1930's, 1940's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's 1990's, 2010's) tied for 2nd in Ohio all time
27 games played in the state tournament, 4th all time in Ohio all divisions
16 wins in state tournament play, tied for 4th all time in Ohio all divisions
12 wins in Final 4 play (12-7 record) tied for 5th all time in Ohio all divisions
17 times have reached the regional final (11-6 record) 1st in SE district
8-1 in last 9 state semifinal games (8-3 overall record)
7-2 in the last 9 regional final games
4 state titles, 1931, 1961, 1978, 1988, tied for 7th all time in Ohio all divisions
4 state runnerups 1934, 1980, 1990, 2012 (tied for 5th in Ohio for state championship game appearances)
Have won the state title in D2, Class AA, Class A (Big School)
14 Conference Championships
37 District Championships (1st in SE district)
64 Sectional Championships (1st in SE district)
Winnningest Coach: George Heller 1952-1968 (224-137, 9 district titles, 1961 state title)
All Time Leading Scorer: Kyre Allison (2013-2016) 1,688
 
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Portsmouth trailed Ripley (OH) at the half 40-39, but the Trojans' pressure defense took its toll in the 2nd half, as PHS outscored the Blue Jays 48-26 en route to an 87-66 opening game win. Sophomore DeAndre Berry scored 24 points on eight 3 pointers, tying a school record with Matthew Fraulini who recorded 8 in the 2020 season. Junior Kenny Sanderlin added 17 points for the Trojans. Portsmouth starts the season 1-0 and plays at home vs. Hillsboro Christian tonight in the 2nd round of the Tipoff Classic. Coal Grove, a 66-59 winner over Franklin Furnace Green in the Friday nightcap, plays Ripley tonight following the PHS vs. HC game.
 
Portsmouth had a big 2nd half and defeated Hillsboro Christian 80-40 Saturday night at PHS. The Trojans Kenny Sanderlin led PHS with 21 points, while Daryionne Bryant added 20 with 3 dunks. Portsmouth is now 2-0 on the season and will play their next game at home vs. South Point on Dec.7.

In the final game of the Tipoff Classic, Ripley (OH) defeated Coal Grove 59-53. Both Ripley and CG are now 1-1 on the season.
 
Portsmouth and South Point were tied at 43 after 3 quarters, then the Pointers outscored PHS 24-18 in the final 8 minutes for a 67-61 win at PHS. Daryionne Bryant scored 25 points for the Trojans, while Kenny Sanderlin chipped in 11. Portsmouth forced 22 turnovers, but SP shot 50% from the floor. The Trojans are 0-1 in OVC play, and 2-1 overall, while the Pointers open the OVC at 1-0.

PHS travels to Chesapeake in another OVC contest on Friday, then play Whiteoak at Shawnee State on Saturday. Game time for the Whiteoak game is scheduled for 8:00 PM.
 
Portsmouth trailed Chesapeake at the half 36-35, took a 47-42 lead midway in the 3rd quarter, then watched the Panthers go on a 19-3 run which sealed the game for CHS as the Trojans fell 75-65. Portsmouth's defense in the paint was virtually non-existent, and Chesapeake scored on layups time after time. PHS falls to a tie for last in the OVC at 0-2 and 2-2 overall. Chesapeake is 1-1 in OVC play. No official scoring for PHS was available.

So far in 4 games Portsmouth is averaging 73.2 PPG, while giving up 62 PPG.

Portsmouth will try to get back on the winning side with a game vs. Whiteoak today at 8:00 PM at Shawnee State.
 
Portsmouth jumped to a 24-14 first quarter lead vs. Whiteoak, but after that it was all Wildcats as they downed the Trojans 75-69. Ashbaugh of Whiteoak scored 44 points on about every kind of shot imaginable, and PHS had no answer defensively. Once again, PHS's D was full of holes as time and time again the Wildcats drove the lane for layups. Portsmouth's offense once again couldn't make up for the defensive lapses. The Trojans are averaging 72 PPG but have a 2-3 record. PHS has given up 66, 67, 75, and 75 in 4 of the 5 games, with Hillsboro Christian scoring only 40.

Portsmouth travels to Fairland on Tuesday, where the Trojans will try to get out of last place in the OVC. PHS is 0-2 in conference play, and the Dragons have beaten the Trojans 13 consecutive times.

What looked like a turnaround season for Portsmouth is off to a very disappointing start.
 
Fairland jumped to an 18-6 lead and never were seriously challenged by Portsmouth as the Dragons won 71-54 at FHS. It was Fairland's 14th straight win over PHS, which matches a 14 game winning streak by Chillicothe in the early 2000's. Portsmouth is now 0-3 in OVC play and in last place in the 8 team conference. The Trojans haven't finished last in any conference play since 2007 when it lost to Athens in the SEOAL Day of Champions. That game featured the 9th place Bulldogs vs. the 10th place Trojans, and AHS won that game to assure PHS a last place finish.

Portsmouth did make a mild run at the Dragons, closing to 35-30, then FHS extended the lead to 42-32 and pretty much cruised the rest of the way. Daryionne Bryant had a good game for PHS with 19 points, with DeAndre Berry coming off the bench to score 8 in the first half.

PHS is 2-4 overall and play at home vs. Rock Hill on Friday. Fairland, which has won 6 OVC titles in a row, goes to 2-1 in OVC play after coming off a 48-45 loss to South Point.
 
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The Rock Hill game scheduled for Friday, Dec. 17th has been postponed due to a flu outbreak at RHHS. No makeup date has been made yet but the game will be played at some point because it is an OVC game.
 
Portsmouth plays a rare Monday night game tonight as they travel to Minford to battle the 4-2 Falcons. Minford defeated Waverly recently which was considered a very good win with the Tigers being rated by some as the best team in the SE district. The Trojans will have to improve their porous defense to have any chance of winning. Other than the Hillsboro Christian game (80-40 PHS win), the Trojans have given up 66, 67, 71, 75, and 75 points in compiling a 2-4 record. Conversely, on offense, PHS has tallied respectable totals of 87, 80, 69, 65, 61, and 54 points.
 
Portsmouth trailed Minford 46-40 at the half, then the Falcons scored 48 points in the 2nd half en route to a convincing 94-66 win over PHS at MHS. The Trojans scored only 7 points in the 3rd quarter, and simply couldn't keep up with the Falcons barrage of 3's. Minford hit at least 15 trifectas and dominated inside as PHS's defense didn't show up all night......and that has been a trend so far this season. To date, Portsmouth is averaging a very good 68.8 PPG, but giving up 69.3 PPG. The lack of stops is the reason the Trojans have a 2-5 record thus far. Trent Zimmerman had 40 points for Minford, scoring inside and outside the arc. The Falcons subbed liberally in the final 8 minutes, or they would've easily scored 100+ points.

Portsmouth has allowed 3 players to go off for 30 or more points.........Ashbaugh of Whiteoak scored 44, Trent Zimmerman of Minford tallied 40, and Aiden Porter of Fairland scored 30.

After the first 7 games, and with the lack of defense the team has shown thus far, I don't look for any significant turnaround, which could result in a 4th straight losing season.

Portsmouth next plays at Wheelersburg on 12/28
 
Portsmouth finally broke a 5 game losing streak with a 56-44 win at Wheelersburg on Tuesday night. The Pirates led 20-12 after 1 quarter, but PHS coach Eugene Collins' pressure/trapping defense bottled up the Burg's offense the final 3 periods, holding them to only 24 points. Collins is now a very good 12-5 against WHS, and the win snapped a 4 game losing streak vs. the Pirates.

Daryionne Bryant led PHS with 14 points, while Donovan Carr had 12, with Devin Lattimore and Kenny Sanderlin scoring double figures as well. Eli Swords had very good game for Wheelersburg with 22 points.

The Trojans are 3-5 on the season and will host Rock Hill on Thursday, then will host Gallia Academy, Ironton, and West Union next week.
 
Rock Hill led from start to finish and defeated Portsmouth 59-54 @PHS on Thursday night. The loss put the Trojans at 3-6 overall and 0-4 in OVC play, good for 8th and last place in the conference. Kenny Sanderlin led PHS with 17 points, while Daryionne Bryant scored double figures. DeAndre Berry came off the bench to score 13. Portsmouth hasn't had a winning record in OVC play since 2018, when they went 8-6 to finish 4th.

There's a lot of work to do for PHS to avoid its 4th straight losing season. That hasn't happened since 2006-2009.

The Trojans have a rough OVC week coming up, as they host Gallia Academy and Ironton, with a non-conference game next Saturday vs. West Union.
 
The Gallia Academy at PHS game scheduled for Jan.4 was postponed due to Covid issues.......no makeup date has been made yet. The game has to be played because it is an OVC game.
 
Portsmouth's current stretch of consecutive losing seasons is comparable to several periods historically. Currently, including this season's 3-6 mark, the Trojans are 29-46 dating back to the 2019 season. From 2003--2005, Portsmouth compiled a record of 23-42, and amassed the same 23-42 record from 2007-2009. Including the 2006 season, in which PHS went 6-16, those 4 years saw the Trojans go 29-58. All together, from 2003-2009, Portsmouth established a school record 7 straight losing seasons, going 52-100. Finally, in the 2010 season, PHS got back on the winning track with a modest 12-7 mark, which was Coach Eugene Collins' first year as HC. PHS then put together 2 outstanding seasons back to back, going 21-5 in 2011, with a Final 4 D3 state semifinal appearance, and then went 24-3 in 2012, finishing D3 state runnerup to Cincinnati Summit Country Day.

Before the 7 straight losing seasons of 2003-2009, Portsmouth had only 1 period in history with at least 3 consecutive losing seasons, which was from 1957-1959. PHS went 5-13, 6-15, and 9-12 in those years, which at that time was when the Trojans were a member of the rugged Greater Ohio League.

In addition to the current struggles, Portsmouth hasn't finished in the top half of the 8 team OVC since the 2018 season, when it went 8-6 to finish in 4th place.

PHS will have to put on a big rally to even its regular season mark to 11-11, and with a 0-4 mark in the OVC, will have to go 8-2 to have a winning conference record and 7-3 just to break even at 7-7.
 
The Ironton @ PHS game scheduled for tonight has been postponed and no makeup date has been set, but it has to be played because it is an OVC game.

No word yet on the West Union @ PHS game scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 8.
 
The West Union game has been postponed. No makeup date is scheduled, but this game may not be made up because it is a non-conference game and Portsmouth already has 2 OVC games to makeup.
 
After going 0-7 in OVC play on the road last season, the Trojans broke through with a 68-57 win at Coal Grove. Ironically, CG was the last road win Portsmouth had in conference play, that being a 72-60 win the final game of the 2019-2020 regular season. Last night, Kenny Sanderlin led PHS with 25 pts., while Daryionne Bryant helped out with 24. Portsmouth led at the half 27-19, but the Hornets outscored PHS 20-13 to trail only 40-39 after 3 quarters. PHS then used some fast break buckets by Bryant to break away with a 28-18 advantage in the final 8 minutes.

Portsmouth is now 4-6 on the season, and 1-4 in OVC play.......still in last place, trailing CG by a game. The Trojans travel to South Point on Friday trying to get payback on the Pointers who beat PHS 67-61 @PHS early in the season.

The Portsmouth JV squad, coached by Paul Wagner, is 6-3 on the season after a convincing win over Coal Grove.
 
Portsmouth's home game with Gallia Academy has been rescheduled for Monday, Feb. 7, while the home game vs. Ironton has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 8.
 
Portsmouth played its best game of the season with a 72-61 win at South Point on Friday night. The Pointers were tied for the lead in the OVC, but the Trojans took command early with 6-3 senior Daryionne Bryant leading the way. Portsmouth led 39-28 at the half, and built the lead to 20 points after 3 quarters. SP rallied with several 3's to cut the lead to 68-61, but that was the closest SP would come. Bryant finished with 31 points even having to sit out the whole 2nd quarter with foul trouble. Kenny Sanderlin pitched in 22, with a couple of 3's also.

The win avenged an earlier 67-61 loss to the Pointers at Portsmouth in early December.

The Trojans are 5-6 overall, and 2-4 in OVC play. Portsmouth will host Chesapeake on Tuesday and Fairland on Friday.
 
Chesapeake led at every quarter stop en route to a 62-59 win at Portsmouth. The Panthers were outrebounded 42-20, but only committed 4 turnovers compared to 17 for the Trojans. PHS shot a miserable 7-16 at the FT line, and combined with the turnovers, spelled Portsmouth's 3rd home loss in the OVC. PHS is 0-3 at home in conference play, having lost all 3 by a total of 14 points. Daryionne Bryant led the Trojans with 19 points, while Kenny Sanderlin chipped in 17. Both have had very good seasons for Portsmouth, posting double figures on a consistent basis.

Levi Blankenship was outstanding for Chesapeake, tallying 30 points. It was the 4th time this season that the Trojans allowed a player to score at least 30 points in a game. Zimmerman of Minford scored 40, Ashbaugh of Whiteoak put up 44, and Aiden Porter of Fairland scored 30. It has been a problem for the Trojans dating back several years of 1 player dominating Portsmouth.

Portsmouth is now 2-5 in OVC play, and tied with Coal Grove and Rock Hill for 6-7-8 place in the 8 team OVC. The Trojans host Fairland on Friday, and PHS will be trying to end a 14 game losing streak to the Dragons. Portsmouth hasn't beaten FHS since the 2015 season, which was the Trojans' first year in the OVC. They swept the Dragons on their way to the OVC title.
 
Fairland continued its mastery over Portsmouth with a 69-61 win in 2OT @PHS. It was the Dragons' 15th consecutive win over the Trojans, including the sectional tournament win a year ago. The Trojans held a 48-36 lead late in the 3rd quarter, but FHS went on a 16-4 run to tie the game at 52. Portsmouth had a 2 point lead with 30 seconds to go, but a missed one and one which allowed the Dragons to tie the game at the buzzer. In the 2nd OT, Fairland took control at the FT line and the Trojans couldn't answer.

Portsmouth had another miserable night at the FT line, and it cost them this game just like it cost them the Chesapeake game on Tuesday when PHS went 7-16 at the stripe. PHS has lost a number of games just on the performance at the FT line. The Trojans are 0-4 in OVC play at home, losing games by 6, 5, 3 and 2OT. Overall, PHS is 5-8 and 2-6 in the OVC.

Aiden Porter led Fairland with 27 points, while Dariyonne Bryant continued his excellent play for the Trojans with 20 points. Bryant is showing a good all around offensive game, and at 6-2 can score in a variety of ways. He is good enough to play college ball for someone, as is Porter of FHS.

Portsmouth travels to Rock Hill on Tuesday and Gallia Academy on Friday. Both are OVC contests.
 
For the 2nd time this season, Portsmouth avenged an earlier home court loss as they defeated Rock Hill 69-58 @RH. In early December, PHS lost to South Point 67-61 at home but then went to SP and beat the Pointers 72-61. Rock Hill beat the Trojans @PHS 59-54 in early January, but this time around Portsmouth was in control after midway in the 2nd quarter. The Trojans led at the half by 9, then they hit five 3's in the 3rd quarter to stretch the lead to 15 points. PHS maintained a healthy lead in the 4th quarter and closed out with an 11 point win. Tyler Duncan led PHS with 18 points including five 3's, while Owen Hankins scored close to 20 points for the Redmen.

Portsmouth went 11-20 from the FT line, and made a total of 7 trifectas. PHS is now 6-8 overall, 3-6 in the OVC, and no longer in last place. The Trojans now occupy the 6th spot in the 8 team conference, with Coal Grove and Rock Hill tied for 7th and 8th.

The Trojans travel to Gallia Academy on Friday, and then host North Adams on Saturday.
 
Portsmouth trailed Gallia Academy 40-32 after a Zach Loveday dunk, but then the Trojans went on a 17-2 run to go on to a 65-53 win @GAHS. The Blue Devils trailed 32-27, then scored 13 straight points, highlighted by Loveday. PHS's run was put together in a variety of ways, in the half court offense, at the FT line, from behind the arc, to quick baskets off turnovers. What was encouraging was to see the Trojans go 11-12 at the FT line, by far their best performance at the stripe.

DeAndre Berry scored 20 for the Trojans, while Kenny Sanderlin added 18. Daryionne Bryant chipped in double figures. With the win, Portsmouth assured itself of a winning OVC record on the road, which is currently 4-2, with the road game left being at Ironton next Friday. PHS is 7-8 overall, 4-6 in the OVC, and now have a 45-17 series lead on GAHS.

Portsmouth's game with North Adams has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Feb.2. PHS will then travel to Ironton on Friday and to Portsmouth West on Saturday.
 
Portsmouth led 55-27 after 3 quarters and went on to a 65-52 win over North Adams on Wednesday @PHS. Daryionne Bryant, who is headed to the University of Charleston to play football, led the Trojans with 26 points, while DeAndre Berry added 13 and Kenny Sanderlin chipping in 11. PHS finally pulled its record to even at 8-8, with games at Ironton on Friday and at Portsmouth West on Saturday. Branson Copas had a phenomenal game for the Green Devils with 39 points, 24 in the 4th quarter.

Portsmouth is 2 wins away from its 85th season of at least 10 wins. Coach Eugene Collins recorded his 189th win in this his 13th season. His overall record is 189-113.
 
Portsmouth and Ironton were tied at 38 by halftime, but the Fighting Tigers outscored PHS 24-9 in the 3rd quarter to take control and go on to an 81-67 win over the Trojans. PHS outscored IHS 23-20 after 1 quarter, and outscored IHS 20-19 in the final 8 minutes, and cut the lead to 67-60, but that was as close as Portsmouth would get. The Trojans were led by Kenny Sanderlin with 17 points, while Daryionne Bryant and DeAndre Berry scored 13 each.

With the loss, Portsmouth fell to 8-9 overall and 4-7 in the OVC. Ironton was led by Perkins and Shreck with 27 points apiece. The two teams will meet again tomorrow as part of a reschedule. Tonight the Trojans will entertain Gallia Academy, whom PHS defeated 65-53 earlier at GAHS.

With the win, Ironton recorded its 73rd win vs. PHS, with the Trojans leading the overall series 92-73. The Fighting Tigers have won 7 in a row vs. Portsmouth.
 
Portsmouth held a 51-50 lead with under a minute to play, but a Gallia Academy turnover coupled with 3 Trojan FT's in the clutch allowed PHS to post a 54-50 win over the Blue Devils. With the win, the Trojans swept GAHS in OVC play and are now 5-7 in the conference and 9-9 overall. Kenny Sanderlin led the Trojans with 21 points, while Donovan Carr added 10. GAHS had a huge size advantage with 6-7 Isaac Clary and 6-5 Zane Loveday. Portsmouth held them both to 33 points total, with Clary coming off a 42 point game vs. Chesapeake. PHS upped its lead in the overall series vs. GAHS to 46-17 in favor of the Trojans.

Portsmouth needs a win over Ironton on Tuesday or Coal Grove on Friday to clinch at least a 10-10 season, thus avoiding a 4th straight losing regular season. 10 wins would also mean the 85th time in school history that Portsmouth has won at least 10 games in a season.

The Trojans will open tournament play next week at home vs. Nelsonville-York, then will play most likely at South Point for the sectional championship if PHS can win that opening game. PHS defeated SP earlier at SP 72-61 in OVC play, but lost to the Pointers 67-61 in early December.
 
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