After leading 26-22 at halftime in the D3 Waverly sectional last Saturday, Portsmouth's offense went into a complete meltdown in the 2nd half, scoring only 6 points, and the end result was a 56-32 loss to the Eastern Brown Warriors. This game was very much like the Trojans played for the majority of the 2019-2020 campaign........very good for a quarter or half, then a complete turnaround after that. PHS was shutout in the 3rd quarter, and didn't score in the 4th period until 3 minutes to go in the game. The Warriors went on a 21-0 run to turn a 26-19 deficit into a 40-26 lead, and that was the kill shot that ended Portsmouth's season.
Portsmouth ended with a 10-13 record, its second straight losing season, and 3rd since 2013 (also went 10-13 that year). Even with the last 2 years of below .500 basketball, Coach Eugene Collins has a very fine 173-93 record overall since he became head coach in the 2009-2010 season. He has posted 11 straight seasons of at least 10 wins, and is the second winningest coach in PHS history. PHS has only advanced to the district only once in the past 5 seasons, that being in 2017. Trojan senior Matthew Fraulini ended his outstanding career with 8 points vs. EB, giving him 1,096, tied for 7th all time on the PHS scoring list with Dion McKinley (2012) and Wayne Evans (2012).
PHS ends the 2020 season with 1,468 wins vs. 796 losses.
Portsmouth's returns 4 starters for the 2020-2021 season, but the leading returning scorer is 6-1 wing Miles Shipp (10 PPG) who will be a senior. The Trojans will be seriously challenged offensively, and record wise could struggle again. Whether Coach Collins comes back is uncertain, as he is pondering his future at this time. He can come back if he wants to. He will not be fired and shouldn't be. He took Portsmouth basketball to the top of the mountain in 2011 and 2012, the first state appearances in 21 years. The last 2 years have resulted because of a lack of basketball talent. The Trojans have good all around athletes, but very few true basketball players. Hopefully in the offseason the players coming back will want to get this program turned around, but it will take commitment and nothing less. If they are willing to work, then just maybe the forecast for the 2020-2021 season for the Portsmouth Trojans will bring brighter days.
Lord willing, I hope and plan on posting about the fortunes of my beloved Trojans next season here on yappi. Enjoy spreading the news of the Trojans around the state. As I told some people last Saturday, we won't be down forever. Trojan basketball will rise again!!