Fairland - OVC Lack of competition

[DBL(_)7]

Fairland has been fairly consistently destroying much of the OVC for years. There were a couple slumps and even then I believe the worst OVC season in the last 15 seasons was just 4 losses in conference.

Does the OVC even make sense for Fairlands girls?
Is going independant for girls basketball viable?

The OVC has many years likely held the team back from improving and being ready for a good run into the state tournament. I get it there have been four trips to the final four since 2015 but those ended at the final four and I think some other years may have done better if facing tougher competition throughout the year. I'm sure some of the OVC teams wouldn't even be mad about this as it's not helping them when they take a 40 point beat down almost every year.

If Fairland could go independant and keep a few matchups like Portsmouth - if they can keep the success going past 25-26 season. Maybe even play Dawson Bryant as they have been consistently decent compared to the rest of the OVC even though the last two seasons were not great

Fairland Girls Basketball Records:
Last 5 seasons (2020-21 to 2024-25): 118–15 overall, 66–4 in conference.
Last 15 seasons (2010-11 to 2024-25): 317–65 overall, 173–19 in conference.

[danicalifornia]

The lack of competition sure did hurt Portsmouth in their attempt to win a state title out of the OVC too.

[DBL(_)7]

The lack of competition sure did hurt Portsmouth in their attempt to win a state title out of the OVC too.

Yes they won a state title and yes I know they beat Fairland with no issue.

Still with Fairlands consistency how is playing OVC teams any benefit to Fairland or other OVC teams?

[danicalifornia]

Fairland is the best program and in an outstanding run, especially compared to the rest of the conference.

Leaving the conference for an independent schedule would be a massive mistake for several financial reasons and a few competitive ones as well.

If you look back at the 3 Final Four losses in the past few seasons, they have not had the best two players on the court for any of them. That doesn’t really change if you aren’t playing Gallia Academy twice.

The game against Laurel was the only toss up and that was due to Fairland having the next 6 best players after that initial two. Maybe you could argue playing a tougher schedule could’ve helped against defensive pressure that they would’ve faced, but Laurel lost the final by 27 anyways.

[TrojanDon]

Portsmouth started young, targeted only one sport, tried to maximize 2-3 total seasons built around Allen and Reid. The program really doesn’t care aboutkids graduating after 27.

Rumor mill has it A Hughes and her dad wont even be back next year after Allen leaves.

This is in no way saying anything negative just the facts Portsmouth has had a great 2-3 year stretch and the original poster seems to be talking more consistent long term sstretch.

The same argument could be made with Portsmouth and being independent would possibly of helped them the year they lost in the regional final and final four before winning it all.

I’m not sure what they mean about financially. Nobody come to Fairland/Portsmouth girlsOVC games on the road accept their away fans. 4-5 teams in the OVC are doooooowwwwnnnn this year.

Dont sleep on Gallia!

[DBL(_)7]

I agree with danicalifornia that a tougher schedule probably would not have made a difference in the last 3 final four appearances by Fairland.
But from what I have seen in other years I think it may have helped at the least to make deeper runs in other years and maybe add a couple more elite 8 appearances. I would pay to watch them play a good team but I will only go to a couple games until tournament as it gets old watching games that are 35-10 at halftime. In the tournament there has been some struggles when they have been able to run the court all year on everyone and suddenly, they have to play a different style of basketball.

Portsmouth had some very bad years and I honestly thought Hughes would have been ran off with her coaching record and the way I seen her act on the court a few times years ago. Not going to take anything away from last years team as they were very good. I am curious to see how Portsmouth plays without Reid. There is plenty of talent and I doubt they will have much issues in Southern Ohio and they should make a good run but I don't know if they will be state title good again without Reid. I'm interested to see how they look once the season gets going. Would love to see them keep a strong program.

I only mentioned Fairland because of consistency. If Portsmouth bombs out after this year it wouldn't make sense to go Independent just to struggle after a good year. I know Fairland may even have a dip next year but historically the record over the past 15+ years is spectacular.

[BuckeyeBlood]

Portsmouth started young, targeted only one sport, tried to maximize 2-3 total seasons built around Allen and Reid. The program really doesn’t care aboutkids graduating after 27.

Rumor mill has it A Hughes and her dad wont even be back next year after Allen leaves.

This is in no way saying anything negative just the facts Portsmouth has had a great 2-3 year stretch and the original poster seems to be talking more consistent long term sstretch.

The same argument could be made with Portsmouth and being independent would possibly of helped them the year they lost in the regional final and final four before winning it all.

I’m not sure what they mean about financially. Nobody come to Fairland/Portsmouth girlsOVC games on the road accept their away fans. 4-5 teams in the OVC are doooooowwwwnnnn this year.

Dont sleep on Gallia!

Would be shocked if Hughes left before Carter & Woods graduate. I could see her maybe leaving after they graduate, but if she’s still working at the school I don’t really see why she would leave.

[Waverlyguru01]

Portsmouth started young, targeted only one sport, tried to maximize 2-3 total seasons built around Allen and Reid. The program really doesn’t care aboutkids graduating after 27.

Rumor mill has it A Hughes and her dad wont even be back next year after Allen leaves.

This is in no way saying anything negative just the facts Portsmouth has had a great 2-3 year stretch and the original poster seems to be talking more consistent long term sstretch.

The same argument could be made with Portsmouth and being independent would possibly of helped them the year they lost in the regional final and final four before winning it all.

I’m not sure what they mean about financially. Nobody come to Fairland/Portsmouth girlsOVC games on the road accept their away fans. 4-5 teams in the OVC are doooooowwwwnnnn this year.

Dont sleep on Gallia!

Gallia Academy?

[Corner3]

Portsmouth started young, targeted only one sport, tried to maximize 2-3 total seasons built around Allen and Reid. The program really doesn’t care aboutkids graduating after 27.

Rumor mill has it A Hughes and her dad wont even be back next year after Allen leaves.

This is in no way saying anything negative just the facts Portsmouth has had a great 2-3 year stretch and the original poster seems to be talking more consistent long term sstretch.

The same argument could be made with Portsmouth and being independent would possibly of helped them the year they lost in the regional final and final four before winning it all.

I’m not sure what they mean about financially. Nobody come to Fairland/Portsmouth girlsOVC games on the road accept their away fans. 4-5 teams in the OVC are doooooowwwwnnnn this year.

Dont sleep on Gallia!

Gallia Academy?

After this season GA will be threat to win the OVC for at least the next four years. Lots of talent coming.

[84Dragon]

Fairland schedules tougher out of conference games , they wont be leaving the OVC any time soon.

I was told Fairland has a lot of talent coming up from the jr high ranks also.

[Waverlyguru01]

Portsmouth started young, targeted only one sport, tried to maximize 2-3 total seasons built around Allen and Reid. The program really doesn’t care aboutkids graduating after 27.

Rumor mill has it A Hughes and her dad wont even be back next year after Allen leaves.

This is in no way saying anything negative just the facts Portsmouth has had a great 2-3 year stretch and the original poster seems to be talking more consistent long term sstretch.

The same argument could be made with Portsmouth and being independent would possibly of helped them the year they lost in the regional final and final four before winning it all.

I’m not sure what they mean about financially. Nobody come to Fairland/Portsmouth girlsOVC games on the road accept their away fans. 4-5 teams in the OVC are doooooowwwwnnnn this year.

Dont sleep on Gallia!

Gallia Academy?

After this season GA will be threat to win the OVC for at least the next four years. Lots of talent coming.

I agree with you 100%

[RheaRipley]

Until you’re having trouble finding places to hang the state championship banners-this is a moot point.
Definitely have a great tradition and it’s going to continue as long as Coach Buch is there.

[sandstorm23]

Fairland takes girls basketball very serious. They get kids to transfer in from surrounding schools even at the very young grades.

[Jonjon]

Fairland takes girls basketball very serious. They get kids to transfer in from surrounding schools even at the very young grades.

[Jonjon]

And whoever started this thread is obviously trolling.

[84Dragon]

Fairland takes girls basketball very serious. They get kids to transfer in from surrounding schools even at the very young grades.

Coach Buch must be a basketball psychic .

[Ohiocats1]

Portsmouth started young, targeted only one sport, tried to maximize 2-3 total seasons built around Allen and Reid. The program really doesn’t care aboutkids graduating after 27.

Rumor mill has it A Hughes and her dad wont even be back next year after Allen leaves.

This is in no way saying anything negative just the facts Portsmouth has had a great 2-3 year stretch and the original poster seems to be talking more consistent long term sstretch.

The same argument could be made with Portsmouth and being independent would possibly of helped them the year they lost in the regional final and final four before winning it all.

I’m not sure what they mean about financially. Nobody come to Fairland/Portsmouth girlsOVC games on the road accept their away fans. 4-5 teams in the OVC are doooooowwwwnnnn this year.

Dont sleep on Gallia!

Gallia Academy?

After this season GA will be threat to win the OVC for at least the next four years. Lots of talent coming.

This indeed will be 100% true

Freshman class is really good and Piper Pugh will be a freshman next year. (Will be D1 recruit)

[trojandave]

Portsmouth is going to be very good for the next 4-5 years with this current varsity group and some good talent coming up in the junior high ranks. Obviously being state championship or Final 4 good is a tall order, but Coaches Amy and Mike Hughes has already proven that a state title can be achieved without a deep bench. The 2025 state champions had only 9 girls on the roster, the smallest of all teams in the 7 divisions. Only team without 10 girls on the varsity.

This year they have 8 girls, but 4 starters back from the state championship team. Losing Daysha Reid is a significant loss, but the Lady Trojans will still be a serious threat to get back to the Final 4. No team figured out Portsmouth's defense last season......that carried them to the state title. I really believe Fairland was a better offensive team than PHS last season......but the Lady Trojans handled the Dragons with that suffocating defense. If this year's Lady Trojans can stay out of foul trouble and avoid any serious injuries, they will be a load for anyone to beat.

The Lady Trojans lose Sienna Allen and KK Mays after this season, but have Hayven Carter, KeKe Woods, Brianna Shannon, Sky Mays, and Salem Allen back who were all on the state championship team. Joining them next season will be the McGinnis girl who is about 5-11 in the 8th grade. This year's 7th grade girls team looks like the next group that will have a big impact in a couple of years on the varsity.

The Lady Trojans' state championship was the first in the history of the OVC for either girls or boys.

Of course PHS has been accepted into the SOC and will start play in the 2027-28 season. I would like to see Fairland kept on the PHS schedule.

[dboy]

Depth is great in an ideal world but it isn't required. Portsmouth last year but if you look back at others from the area, Eastern only played six girls when they won the state. The first Waterford team was a little deeper but primarily played seven. The second time they won it they only played seven and last year I think they only played seven. Not saying depth is overrated, but these three teams have shown that it can be done with a short bench. And, pretty much at every level, the benches get shorter come tournament time. Best of luck this year. Would love to see PHS and FHS game this year and, yes, i hope they continue to play each other down the road.