Portsmouth Trojans 2023-24

[Harambe]

Portsmouth rolls Friday! Perimeter shooting and Berry will be too much

[Jussmypinion]

Portsmouth rolls Friday! Perimeter shooting and Berry will be too much

Friday it's the student vs. the teacher as Kyle Miller faces off against his former high school coach, Jeff Lisath.
I too will put my money on the teacher and his Trojans though.

[trojandave]

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PORTSMOUTH TROJANS ON THEIR SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!! FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 7 YEARS THE TROJANS WILL BE MAKING THE TRIP UP RT.32 TO THE CONVO!!

It was a great night at the Downtown Arena in Waverly, as Portsmouth captured the 65th sectional championship in school history with a 74-42 win over the Piketon Redstreaks. The Trojans' defense was clearly the difference in this game, as from the start the Redstreaks had trouble with PHS's pressure and never could get comfortable. Portsmouth led by 21 at the half and were never threatened. PHS is now 17-6 on the season and the 17th win was the 34th time in school history that a Trojan boys basketball team has won at least 17 games in a season.

Portsmouth got balanced scoring, as DeAndre Berry had 25, Donnovan Breech 20, and Malachi Loper added 15. Portsmouth won the battle on the boards with almost a 20 rebound advantage. All things considered, it was one of the Trojans' best efforts of the season.

Berry now has 1,237 points, 19 behind his coach, Jeff Lisath. Loper pushed his total over the 900 mark, as he now has 907.

Portsmouth advances to the district semifinal on March 3rd Sunday at 4:45 PM at the Convo to play the Northwest Mohawks, who defeated Adena last night. PHS's game is the 2nd that day, as there will be four D3 district semifinal games starting at 3:00 PM.

[MeanJoeGreene]

Great win!!! I love the favorable matchup with Northwest. Go Trojans!

[trojandave]

Thanks to danicalifornia of SOSA for the scoring figures on DeAndre Berry, Donnovan Breech, and Malachi Loper. Those figures have been edited above.

[danicalifornia]

Thanks to danicalifornia of SOSA for the scoring figures on DeAndre Berry, Donnovan Breech, and Malachi Loper. Those figures have been edited above.

You’re welcome! That was a completely different team than when we saw them the first time against SP. I was very impressed with how they played last night.

If they play like that at the Convo, they can definitely cut down some nets there as well!

[biggdowgg]

[trojandave]

A few numbers so far this season:

Offensive Average: 63.5
Defensive Average: 57.0
Fewest Points Allowed: 39 vs. Notre Dame
Fewest Points Scored: 40 vs. Notre Dame
Most Points Scored: 92 home vs. Ironton (3OT)
Next Most Points Scored: 87 home vs. Coal Grove
Most Points Allowed: 85 home vs. Ironton (3OT)
Next Most Points Allowed: 83 home vs. South Point
Leading Scorer: DeAndre Berry 23.1
Berry's High Game: 40 vs. Rock Hill
High Scoring Game Other Than DeAndre Berry: 28 Donnovan Breech vs. Lawrence Co.KY
Next Highest Scoring Game: 27 Donnovan Breech vs. Providence Christian
Biggest winning margin: 32 vs. Piketon in Waverly sectional championship
Biggest losing margin: 34 vs. South Point
Biggest winning margin in OVC: 30 at Ironton
Biggest losing margin in OVC: 34 home vs. South Point
Home Record: 7-4
Road Record: 10-2 (including neutral sites and tournament)
OVC home record: 4-3
OVC road record: 6-1 (only loss at Fairland)
Overall Record in OVC (10 years 2015--2024) 73-67
Best Finish In OVC: 1st (2015)
Next Best Finish in OVC: 2nd (2016, 2024--tie)
17 Wins Most Since: 2017 (17-8)
6 Losses Fewest Since: 2015 (20-7)
All Time Record: 1,533--853 (recently discovered a 22-4 win over Ironton on May 5, 1908) source: 1908 PHS yearbook
Most Recent Sectional Title: 2024
Last Sectional Title Before 2024: 2017
Most Recent District Title: 2015
Last District Title Before 2015: 2012
Most Recent Regional Title: 2012
Last Regional Title Before 2012: 2011

[trojandave]

Edited above to correct Portsmouth's record in the OVC from 2015--2024. It is 73-67, not 73-57 as previously posted.

[trojandave]

Congratulations to DeAndre Berry for being named to the District 14 First Team. Also congratulations to Donnovan Breech for being named District 14 Honorable Mention.

[trojandave]

A surprising stat that I found out today is that the Trojans had 10 games with at least 3 players scoring in double figures. Not counting DeAndre Berry, 3 of the remaining 4 starters all had at least 1 game of 15 points or more. So Portsmouth is not as DeAndre--centric as some may think.

[JeepNation26]

A surprising stat that I found out today is that the Trojans had 10 games with at least 3 players scoring in double figures. Not counting DeAndre Berry, 3 of the remaining 4 starters all had at least 1 game of 15 points or more. So Portsmouth is not as DeAndre--centric as some may think.

Looking forward to being up at the Convo and watching the game Sunday Dave; it should be a great match up all the way around...

[trojandave]

JeepNation26: I really think these 4 D3 district semifinals could all be close. There's no team that stands above the rest and is that "unbeatable" team.

Also found out that there were 4 games in which DeAndre wasn't even the leading scorer.....and I posted on the Northwest vs. PHS thread, the Trojans have 5 of the top 7 players who are legitimate 3 ball threats. Isaiah Lewis is shooting over 50% from behind the arc.

[JeepNation26]

JeepNation26: I really think these 4 D3 district semifinals could all be close. There's no team that stands above the rest and is that "unbeatable" team.

Also found out that there were 4 games in which DeAndre wasn't even the leading scorer.....and I posted on the Northwest vs. PHS thread, the Trojans have 5 of the top 7 players who are legitimate 3 ball threats. Isaiah Lewis is shooting over 50% from behind the arc.

trogandave: I agree with you all 4 games should be close games, gonna be a good evening of basketball at the Convo!

[trojandave]

Portsmouth took a 12-5 lead early in the 1st quarter, but after that it was all Northwest as the Mohawks pounded the Trojans 71-49 at the Convo in Athens. PHS was outplayed in every aspect, and certainly didn't look like the 17-6 team going into the game. NW won the game with defense, sharp shooting from the perimeter, and the inside play of Tanner Bolin gave the Mohawks a nice balance that the Trojans had no answer for.

What was most disappointing about the game was to end the season like this after accomplishing so many good things......going 17-7, winning a sectional title for the 1st time since 2017, finishing 2nd in the OVC, and playing some good basketball against some good teams. But the good Trojans didn't show up yesterday, instead the inconsistent team came to the Convo, and left with their season coming to a grinding halt.

Still, it was a good 1st season for Coach Lisath, and it was great to get back to the Convo after 7 long years. It's now been 10 years since the Trojans have won a district title, and in fact it's been that long since they've even advanced to the district final.

DeAndre Berry finished a great career with 27 points and 1,264 for his career, going past Coach Lisath into 6th place in the all time PHS scoring list. Malachi Loper has 913 going into his senior season.

Wish all the seniors the best.....Berry, Donnovan Breech, Noah Livingston, Isaiah Lewis, and LeVaughn Cobb.

[trojandave]

What lies ahead for Portsmouth basketball after the disappointing loss to Northwest in the district semifinal?

The Trojans lose 4 senior starters, and 5 of the top 7, with only starter Malachi Loper returning. The JV team went 5-14 after going 1-18 the year before. There's not much scoring in the 2024-25 cupboard for Coach Lisath. Not only that, but program wide, defense has to be the difference maker for any future success. Coach has preached defense from day 1, but at times it looked like the players did not take the sermon from the pulpit and onto the basketball court. It was clearly evident yesterday, and it cost the Trojans a season ending loss.

The freshmen team was not noteworthy, and the 8th grade team had a lopsided losing record and is seriously in need of just basic fundamentals, namely ballhandling, shooting, and defense. The next really good class of players is the 7th grade group, led by PG Joe Greene, 6-3 Mekhi Berry, and sharpshooter Ryan Monroe. Chase Clark also played well for this team. They won the OVC 7th grade tournament fairly easily, after losing only 2 games while playing against 8th grade OVC teams in the regular season.

The reality is, though, that we're looking at 2 years before that 7th grade group are freshmen, and to be fair they won't win as freshmen on the varsity. So it will be 3 years before that group can make a significant impact in the win column. For kids above them, they need to get to work because that 7th grade group will pass them up. There's always the possibility of transfers, but we hear that every year and most generally they blow away in the wind. Malachi Loper, though, was one that had a very good season and will be looked upon to be a leader in 2024-24.

Also consider that Coach Lisath is toughing up the non-conference schedule next season, and that will yet be another big challenge to any winning momentum that could carry over to next December.

This summer could either make or break this program with so many uncertainties going forward. If the returning players don't make the commitment that is required to produce winning basketball, trouble looms ahead for Portsmouth basketball for the next 3 years. Coach Lisath and his staff will more than do their part for sure, but the kids have to show up for open gym, summer shootouts, and any individual instruction. Failure to participate will be a failure to win when the bell rings in December.

[PTrojan59]

What lies ahead for Portsmouth basketball after the disappointing loss to Northwest in the district semifinal?

The Trojans lose 4 senior starters, and 5 of the top 7, with only starter Malachi Loper returning. The JV team went 5-14 after going 1-18 the year before. There's not much scoring in the 2024-25 cupboard for Coach Lisath. Not only that, but program wide, defense has to be the difference maker for any future success. Coach has preached defense from day 1, but at times it looked like the players did not take the sermon from the pulpit and onto the basketball court. It was clearly evident yesterday, and it cost the Trojans a season ending loss.

The freshmen team was not noteworthy, and the 8th grade team had a lopsided losing record and is seriously in need of just basic fundamentals, namely ballhandling, shooting, and defense. The next really good class of players is the 7th grade group, led by PG Joe Greene, 6-3 Mekhi Berry, and sharpshooter Ryan Monroe. Chase Clark also played well for this team. They won the OVC 7th grade tournament fairly easily, after losing only 2 games while playing against 8th grade OVC teams in the regular season.

The reality is, though, that we're looking at 2 years before that 7th grade group are freshmen, and to be fair they won't win as freshmen on the varsity. So it will be 3 years before that group can make a significant impact in the win column. For kids above them, they need to get to work because that 7th grade group will pass them up. There's always the possibility of transfers, but we hear that every year and most generally they blow away in the wind. Malachi Loper, though, was one that had a very good season and will be looked upon to be a leader in 2024-24.

Also consider that Coach Lisath is toughing up the non-conference schedule next season, and that will yet be another big challenge to any winning momentum that could carry over to next December.

This summer could either make or break this program with so many uncertainties going forward. If the returning players don't make the commitment that is required to produce winning basketball, trouble looms ahead for Portsmouth basketball for the next 3 years. Coach Lisath and his staff will more than do their part for sure, but the kids have to show up for open gym, summer shootouts, and any individual instruction. Failure to participate will be a failure to win when the bell rings in December.

Great breakdown Dave. Bummed this version of the Trojans have seen their final days. I know the future as of now in ways of talent is bleak but I’m excited for the beefed up schedule. It’ll be nice to get some old teams back on the schedule. You never know what will happen, maybe another Malachi Loper moves in, maybe some kids develop well over the summer. You’re absolutely right about the summer being a make or break for next years squad. Hard work has to be put in then to see results during the regular season. Coach Lisath will have his work cut out for him, but he’s a fantastic coach who will strive to get the best out of the kids no matter who’s on the court.

[trojandave]

Portsmouth ends this season with an all time record of 1,532--854. Coach Lisath's 17 wins in his 1st year at PHS coach is the 3rd highest total for a 1st year Trojan HC. Only Joe Suboticki (27-1 in 1988), and Tom Smith (20-4 in 1982) had more.