Portsmouth Trojans 2013-2014 Preview

[trojandave]

The Trojans had two contrasting games vs. Wheelersburg (42-38) and Ironton (71-40). In the win at Wheelersburg, the Trojans were up only 15-14 at the half, and 26-24 after 3 quarters. PHS led 39-30 with just about a minute remaining, but missed FT's and two Pirate triples narrowed the lead to 2 with just 17 seconds to play. Kyre Allison stepped up an sank two clutch FT's to seal the win. This game was an intense, defensive minded game that had a tournament atmosphere with a big and loud crowd. Good to see PHS grind out a win on the road under pressure conditions. Sky Oliver led the Trojans with 15 points, and Kyre Allison added 13.

Portsmouth jumped to an 11-0 lead against Ironton and cruised to a 71-40 win. The Trojans led 33-23 at the half, and extended the lead to as much as 21 in the 3rd quarter. Isaiah Lisath tallied 20 points to lead PHS. Good to see Isaiah have a big night offensively. The Trojans shot 11-19 from 3 point land.

Portsmouth plays Cleveland Martin Luther King on Saturday, with the varsity game starting at 5:00.

[trojandave]

Coach Eugene Collins is now 81-31 in the midst of his 5th season at PHS. With the 71-40 win vs. Ironton, Collins moved past Bill Rohr (80-29, 1947-1951) and is now tied as the 7th winningest coach in Trojan history. He is tied with Jim Rhea (81-52, 1996-2001). Bob Doll (85-59, 1969-1975) is in 6th place, with Joe Suboticki (94-11, 1988-1991) in 5th.

[trojandave]

The Trojans scored a thrilling 70-67 OT win over a good and very quick Cleveland Martin Luther King Crusaders on Saturday night. MLK hit a 3 pointer at the buzzer to tie the game at 57 and send it into OT. PHS scored the first 5 points of the OT, and made just enough FT's to hold off MLK. The Crusaders were probably the quickest team the Trojans have faced this year. Stanley Greene came off the bench for MLK and scored 32 points, while the Trojans had 4 players in double figures, Kyre Allison (22), Kendall Reynolds (15), Isaiah Lisath (13), and Sky Oliver (11).....unofficial totals. Oliver hit a clutch 3 pointer to give the Trojans a 1 point lead with just about 40 seconds remaining in regulation.

Portsmouth has won 13 of its last 14 games, and for the 41st time in school history, have won at least 15 games in a season.

[trojandave]

The Trojans (15-4) have lost all 4 games to teams with winning records........at Chillicothe D1 (14-6), at South Point D3 (11-6), home vs. Cleveland John Hay D2 (11-8), home vs. Warren D2 (17-3).

Portsmouth has won 7 games vs. teams winning records..........at Warren D2 (17-3), Owen County, KY in Florida D2 or D3 (14-6), home vs. Peebles D4 (19-2), home vs. Piketon D3 (11-9), home vs. Cleveland Martin Luther King D3 (8-7), at Gallia Academy D2 (10-9), and at Wheelersburg D3 (11-7).

Portsmouth will finish the season against two teams with winning records........home on Friday vs. Gallia Academy D2 (10-9), and Saturday at Minford D2 (16-2).

[trojandave]

Portsmouth is ranked #12 in the latest AP Poll for Division 3.........unfortunately, the Trojans lost to Chillicothe the day the poll came out.......if PHS can win their final two games, especially with a win over 16-2 Minford (might be 17-2 if they beat Valley), they might stay in the final poll. PHS is ranked #19 in the JJHuddle Power Poll in D3. It's the 3rd time in 4 years that Portsmouth has been ranked in the AP Poll. The Trojans finished #10 in 2011, and #6 in 2012 in the AP Poll.

The Trojans can clinch a tie for the SEOAL title tomorrow night with a win over Gallia Academy. Warren was the prohibitive favorite going into the season, but PHS split with Warren. If PHS wins tomorrow, the last 4 finishes in the SEOAL will be 2014 (tie for 1st), 2013 (2nd), 2012 (1st outright), 2011 (2nd). The 2012 SEOAL title was with Chillicothe still a member......the Trojans swept the Cavaliers that year, and the only league loss in a 9-1 record was a 61-56 setback at Warren.

[jottings]

Is tonight's GAHS-Portsmouth game still on?

[trojandave]

Jottings: Just saw on another thread that the game has been postponed until tomorrow.........PHS was supposed to play Minford, but I believe the Minford--Valley game for tonight has been postponed as well.

[jottings]

What a shame. Looks like 1977 all over again.

[trojandave]

A win tonight vs. Gallia Academy would mark the 38th time in school history that a Trojan team has won at least 16 games in a season. A win tonight would also tie the 2011 state tournament team with a 16-4 regular season record. The 2012 state tournament team went 18-2 in the regular season. Portsmouth currently is 82-32 under Coach Eugene Collins, who is in his 5th year at PHS.

A win tonight also clinches a tie for the SEOAL championship with Warren, which defeated Logan 72-42 last night.

[pfloyd]

... trojandave - good luck to Coach Collins & your Trojans tonight vs Gallia Academy ... hope the PHS boys continue to round into post season shape readying themselves for a great "survive and advance" season to come ... keep those boys injury free and sharp for the post season ! ...

[danicalifornia]

TrojanDave- when do you think the varsity game will tip tonight? Thanks!

[jottings]

Since rhey had no freshman game, who won the JV contest. PS--What's the varsity score at 9:10 p.m. Thanks. Wish I could have been there.

[biggdowgg]

JV..PORTS...58....GAHS 41
VARSITY ...PORTS 67,,GAHS....36

[pfloyd]

... Congratulations to the Trojans on sharing the SEOAL title for 2013-14 !!! ...

[trojandave]

All the regular season scores have been updated on page 3 of this thread.

[trojandave]

Kyre Allison poured in 31 points, Kendall Reynolds pitched in 14, and Sky Oliver 11 as the Trojans opened tournament play with a 75-53 win over a scrappy Williamsport Westfall team. The Mustangs stayed within 12-15 points of the Trojans until the last half of the 4th quarter. Allison had 3 dunks among his 31 points, the last being a spectacular throwndown in traffic. It was the second game this season that Kyre has scored at least 30 points in a game, the first being a 32 point performance against Jackson. Reynolds, a freshman, has had games of 18, 15, 15, and 14 this season.

Portsmouth plays Lynchburg Clay in the sectional championship, which will be at 8:30 PM at Waverly High School. Lynchburg Clay beat Portsmouth West 76-72 in their first round game.

[Wffan]

Congrats On the win TrojanDave! I was proud of my Mustangs for fighting the whole game. It was 25-22 with 2 min till halftime. That spurt killed us. Played even in the third. Your pressure hurt us. And the fact you have a nice team!

Good luck to the Trojans moving forward.

[trojandave]

wffan: You're very much a class act for your congratulations........your Mustangs got a lot of respect from Trojan fans.......and Westfall should really be good next year considering that they were starting a freshman and two sophomores against the Trojans.

[trojandave]

The Trojans will be trying to win their 18th game of the season when they play Lynchburg Clay on Saturday night. If PHS can win, it will be the 27th time in school history that a Trojan team has won 18 games in a season.

[trojandave]

The Trojans won the 61st sectional title in school history by defeating a very good Lynchburg Clay team 55-53. Sky Oliver made a 15 foot jumper at the buzzer to win the game for PHS. LC was down 42-32 going into the 4th quarter, but guard Gage Waits led the Mustangs on a furious comeback to tie the game at 53 before Oliver's heroics.

The Trojans will play South Point at Ohio University Convocation Center on Sunday, March 2nd at 7:15 PM. The Pointers beat PHS 76-58 back in early December at SP.