Portsmouth Trojans 2025-26

[trojandave]

The 1965 Portsmouth Trojans.........Larry Hisle's senior season.

The Portsmouth Trojans recorded a 17-3 record in 1965, and it was the final season for First Team All-American Larry Hisle. Hisle averaged 25.5 PPG, and scored 41 points vs. Wilmington, an individual scoring mark that stood for 47 years until Dion McKinley scored 42 in the 2011-2012 season. Hisle had 5 games of scoring at least 30 points. Portsmouth got a rare win at Middletown, 63-62. PHS was ranked #8 in Ohio.

PHS lost in the district final to Athens 65-62. Athens lost to Columbus South by 2 points in the regional, and then South went on to win the state title. That 1965 team had the 3rd most wins that decade, topped only by the 1961 state champions who won 22, and the 1964 district champions who went 18-5.

Hisle remains the only Trojan to ever be named 1st team All-American.

[trojandave]

The 1972 Portsmouth Trojans District Championship Team

Roster: Keith Williamson, Rick Hopkins, Curt Clifford, Mike Lovenguth, Norman Dickerson, Mike Prater, Ralph White, Bill Daehler, Pat Spriggs, Rick McGlone, Tom Gentry, Dave Cropper

Coach: Bob Doll

Final Record: 14-9

Regular Season:

PHS 76, Washington CH 69
PHS 70, Chillicothe 62
Ashland KY 78, PHS 62
South Point 54, PHS 52
PHS 81, Lima 76
Middletown 89, PHS 74
PHS 84, Ironton 57
PHS 58, Washington CH 43
PHS 78, Waverly 66
PHS 89, Springfield South 73
Lima 81, PHS 75
PHS 55, Chillicothe 53
Middletown 80, PHS 76
Huntington WV 71, PHS 70
PHS 67, Huntington East WV 37
PHS 63, Gallipolis 59
Ironton 72, PHS 59
Springfield South 76, PHS 59

Tournament:

PHS 76, Miami Trace 63
PHS 70, Chillicothe 54 (Sectional Championship)
PHS 63, Lancaster 62
PHS 52, Zanesville 46 (District Championship)
Celina 77, PHS 71 (OT Regional Semifinal)

Mike Lovenguth scored 36 points vs. Celina, which is the most points ever scored by a Trojan past district play. The 1972 Class AAA district title was the only AAA district title in school history. The OHSAA had a 3 division system from 1970--1977.

Lovenguth averaged 22 PPG, and went on to have a fine basketball career at Kent State. He also coached Wheelersburg to the Final 4 in 1984 and 1989.

[MeanJoeGreene]

Appreciate all the Trojan history, Dave. I have many fond memories growing up going to games with my Dad at the old gym. When the lights went down during the introductions, it was a real spectacle. Nothing like it I've witnessed before or since.

[Hoopster98]

It's a shame what they did to the old gym. They should of had 1 game there a season, but I understand why they did it. Instead of building a new building for indoor facility, why not use what you have.

[trojandave]

Many fond memories of the 8th Street Gym. That gym lasted from 1965--2006. During that time, fans witnessed a 1st team All-American (Larry Hisle--1965), 2 State Championship teams (1978 and 1988), 2 State Runnerup teams (1980 and 1990), an undefeated AP Poll Champion team (1979), 15 district championship teams, 13 teams that won at least 20 games, six 1,000 point scorers, 5 First Team All-Ohio players, and 14 Hall of Fame Basketball Members. The winningest coach in PHS history, George Heller (224-137) ended his career in the 8th street gym (1968), while Joe Suboticki had the highest winning pct. of all PHS coaches (1988-1991) 94% Win pct. Coaches Dick Hopkins (103-34) and Tom Smith (108-35) both won over 100 games in their careers. Larry Hisle scored 41 points vs. Wilmington which was a record that stood for 47 years. The 1988 D2 state championship team went 27-1, which tied the 2025 Lady Trojans for the best record in school history.

The new gym (2006--present) has seen some notable accomplishments as well; 4 State Tournament teams (boys 2011 and 2012--State Runnerup), a Lady Trojan State Championship team (2025) Lady Trojan State Semifinal (2024), 5 teams that won at least 20 games, a Regional Final team (2015), a District Runnerup team (2014), 2 First Team All-Ohio Players (Dion McKinley 2012 and Kyre Allison 2016-- both of whom were the D3 Player of the Year. 12 players who scored at least 1,000 points have played in the new gym. 8 boys teams won at least 16 games in a season. The 2nd winningest coach in PHS history, Eugene Collins, had a career record of 201-130. Dion McKinley broke Larry Hisle's 47 year record (41 points) by scoring 42 vs. Logan in the 2011-2012 season. 2 Freshmen, Andrew Bendolph and Kyre Allison, both scored 26 points each, a Trojan record for freshmen. Matthew Fraulini broke McKinley's record by scoring 46 points vs. Rock Hill. McKinley and Wayne Evans were inducted into the Trojan Hall of Fame. Portsmouth won league championships in the SEOAL and OVC. The 2025 Lady Trojan State Championship team went 27-1, tying for the best record in school history. Sienna Allen of the Lady Trojans was named the 2025 D5 Ohio Player of the Year.

And.............Grant Gym.........RIP. So many great teams, players, and coaches who made PHS basketball one of the most decorated in the state of Ohio. I still have a piece of the parquet floor of that great gym. At that time it was one of the few college length floors in Ohio. Greater Ohio League Champions in 1955 and 1961. Jerry Lucas of Middletown scored 53 points vs. PHS, the most points ever scored by a player in Grant Gym. Don't know the exact date when the Trojans started playing there, but there were at least 11 district championships teams that played there, 1 State Championship team (1961), Leroy Carr averaged 23.6 PPG in 1954, while Mike Haley averaged 22 PPG in 1961. Carr had 5 games of 30 or more points, while Haley had 3. Eight players made the Trojan Hall of Fame, while Bert Barney (1950) and Larry Hisle (1964) made 1st team All-Ohio.

[MeanJoeGreene]

Awesome stuff Dave. Do you remember a 7th grader who played on the Varsity team for Royal (kentucky school, can't remember the name) named OJ Mayo? That was an interesting contest. The Trojans won handily but it was very interesting to see a 7th grader going against varsity. That game was at the old gym in town.

[PTrojan59]

Many fond memories of the 8th Street Gym. That gym lasted from 1965--2006. During that time, fans witnessed a 1st team All-American (Larry Hisle--1965), 2 State Championship teams (1978 and 1988), 2 State Runnerup teams (1980 and 1990), an undefeated AP Poll Champion team (1979), 15 district championship teams, 13 teams that won at least 20 games, six 1,000 point scorers, 5 First Team All-Ohio players, and 14 Hall of Fame Basketball Members. The winningest coach in PHS history, George Heller (224-137) ended his career in the 8th street gym (1968), while Joe Suboticki had the highest winning pct. of all PHS coaches (1988-1991) 94% Win pct. Coaches Dick Hopkins (103-34) and Tom Smith (108-35) both won over 100 games in their careers. Larry Hisle scored 41 points vs. Wilmington which was a record that stood for 47 years. The 1988 D2 state championship team went 27-1, which tied the 2025 Lady Trojans for the best record in school history.

The new gym (2006--present) has seen some notable accomplishments as well; 4 State Tournament teams (boys 2011 and 2012--State Runnerup), a Lady Trojan State Championship team (2025) Lady Trojan State Semifinal (2024), 5 teams that won at least 20 games, a Regional Final team (2015), a District Runnerup team (2014), 2 First Team All-Ohio Players (Dion McKinley 2012 and Kyre Allison 2016-- both of whom were the D3 Player of the Year. 12 players who scored at least 1,000 points have played in the new gym. 8 boys teams won at least 16 games in a season. The 2nd winningest coach in PHS history, Eugene Collins, had a career record of 201-130. Dion McKinley broke Larry Hisle's 47 year record (41 points) by scoring 42 vs. Logan in the 2011-2012 season. 2 Freshmen, Andrew Bendolph and Kyre Allison, both scored 26 points each, a Trojan record for freshmen. Matthew Fraulini broke McKinley's record by scoring 46 points vs. Rock Hill. McKinley and Wayne Evans were inducted into the Trojan Hall of Fame. Portsmouth won league championships in the SEOAL and OVC. The 2025 Lady Trojan State Championship team went 27-1, tying for the best record in school history. Sienna Allen of the Lady Trojans was named the 2025 D5 Ohio Player of the Year.

And.............Grant Gym.........RIP. So many great teams, players, and coaches who made PHS basketball one of the most decorated in the state of Ohio. I still have a piece of the parquet floor of that great gym. At that time it was one of the few college length floors in Ohio. Greater Ohio League Champions in 1955 and 1961. Jerry Lucas of Middletown scored 53 points vs. PHS, the most points ever scored by a player in Grant Gym. Don't know the exact date when the Trojans started playing there, but there were at least 11 district championships teams that played there, 1 State Championship team (1961), Leroy Carr averaged 23.6 PPG in 1954, while Mike Haley averaged 22 PPG in 1961. Carr had 5 games of 30 or more points, while Haley had 3. Eight players made the Trojan Hall of Fame, while Bert Barney (1950) and Larry Hisle (1964) made 1st team All-Ohio.

Dave, I could be wrong but didn’t Jayllen Carter break Dion’s record with 44 against Jackson the next season after Dion broke Larry’s and then Farulini broke Carters record with 46?

[trojandave]

I don't remember that game, but I do remember watching 8th grader OJ Mayo scoring 25 points for Rose Hill in the Kentucky Sweet 16 state tournament. Thought at that time that he was headed for stardom. Ended up playing in the NBA for a while.

He had a brother named Todd Mayo who played for an undefeated South Point team. Not sure what happened to him after high school.

[trojandave]

PTrojan59: He did break Dion's record, but Dion accomplished his 42 points on our home court. Jayllen scored 44 at Jackson. Fraulini scored 46 on our home court. The point I was trying to make with my posts about our gyms was that the things listed were done on our home court, with the exception of team accomplishments, such as won/loss records by a particular team, for example, the 1988 State Champions who went 27-1......or a coach's overall record, for example, Eugene Collins who went 201-130.

Andrew Bendolph and Kyre Allison scored 26 points each as freshman at our new gym. The 1,000 point scorers scored their points at home and on the road, but fans got to witness a good portion of their accomplishments at our home gym.

[trojandave]

The 1978 Portsmouth Trojans Class AA State Championship Team

Roster: Kirk McMahon, Jeff Lisath, Craig Tubbs, Bill Wilburn, Scott Burrows, Dennis Shipp, Jim Murray, Jack Bendolph, Rob Rickman, Chris Heller, Tom Boden, Kraig Jones, Scot Taylor

Coach: Dick Hopkins

Final Record: 19-7

Regular Season:

Virgie KY 67, PHS 58
PHS 65, Ironton 40
PHS 91, Russell KY 69
PHS 90, Boyd Co. 56
PHS 62, Chillicothe 54
PHS 72, Gallipolis 55
Greenup Co. KY 70, PHS 61
PHS 62, Ironton 54
PHS 59, Ashland KY 56
PHS 78, Vinton Co. 60
Boyd Co.KY 66, PHS 64 OT
PHS 71, Huntington East WV 64
PHS 74, Russell KY 58
PHS 65, Greenup Co.KY 44
Barboursville WV 71, PHS 56
Ashland KY 66, PHS 57
Huntington WV 83, PHS 56
Wheelersburg 54, PHS 52

Tournament:

PHS 60, Ironton 49
PHS 54, Wheelersburg 52 OT (Sectional Championship)
PHS 61, Chesapeake 42
PHS 56, Washington CH 54 OT (District Championship)
PHS 64, Columbus Mifflin 49
PHS 75, Bellaire 53 (Regional Championship)
PHS 59, Ottawa-Glandorf 43
PHS 63, Cleveland Cathedral Latin 62 (State Championship)

Portsmouth's 4 game losing streak at the end of the regular season was due in part to an ankle injury suffered by Jeff Lisath. He returned for the tournament, and scored 159 points in the 8 games, while teammate Craig Tubbs scored 160. Lisath holds the PHS record for most points scored by a Trojan in a state championship game with 22 vs. Latin. Tubbs scored 21 vs. Ottawa-Glandorf.

This 1978 season was the 1st for Portsmouth in Class AA. PHS's last game in AAA was a loss to Miami Trace in the Sectional in Athens.

[trojandave]

The 1979 Portsmouth Trojans AP Poll Champions Undefeated Regular Season 18-0

The 1979 Trojans are the only PHS basketball team to have ever won a AP Poll title. The Trojans returned 3 starters from the 1978 State Championship team, those being Craig Tubbs, Scott Burrows, and Scot Taylor. Jack Bendolph and Kirk McMahon rounded out the starting 5. PHS had several close games, beating Chillicothe 51-50 on a Craig Tubbs' jumper with seconds to play. The Trojans also edged Columbus Mifflin 57-55 on Kirk McMahon's baseline jumper just before the buzzer.

PHS beat Ironton 71-57 to finish 18-0, but the Fighting Tigers would end the Trojans' perfect season at 21-1 with a 54-52 win over PHS. The loss ended a 29 game winning streak by the Trojans, the longest streak in school history. Dick Hopkins was named AP Coach of the Year, while Craig Tubbs became the all time leading scorer in PHS history with 1,485 points. His record has been broken since by Kyre Allison, who tallied 1,688 points from 2013-2016.

[trojandave]

The 1980 Portsmouth Trojans Class AA State Runnerup Team

Coach: Dick Hopkins

Final Record: 21-6

This team started out the season 6-5, then went on a 15 game winning streak until the state championship game. The main players on this team were Marcus Bendolph, Kirk McMahon, Troy Jackson, Keith Wilburn, Kevin Wilburn, John Mitchell, and Larry Johnson. PHS started the regular season with a 61-59 loss to Russell KY at PHS. The Trojans beat Ironton 56-50, but lost to Waverly 62-50 at Waverly.

Tournament:

PHS 50, Chesapeake 47
PHS 69, Rock Hill 65 (Sectional Championship)
PHS 81, Sheridan 46 (District Championship)
PHS 57, Columbus Centennial 51
PHS 49, Waverly 48 (Regional Championship)
PHS 65, Willard 53.........Willard was 26-0 and ranked #1 in Class AA
Hamilton Ross 45, PHS 44 (State Championship)

Scoring for PHS in the State Semifinal: Bendolph 21, McMahon 19, Jackson 11, Keith Wilburn 8, John Mitchell 6
Scoring for PHS in the State Championship: Bendolph 16, McMahon 12, Mitchell 2, Jackson 8, Keith Wilburn 6

Marcus Bendolph is the only Trojan to lead PHS in scoring in both the state semifinal and state championship games.

[Lovehoops4]

okay trojan Dave I'm seeing a lot of Hopkins lol so how does the family tree come is red Hopkins dick Hopkins dad and is Rick Hopkins son of dick I'm very confused care to explain.

[PTrojan59]

PTrojan59: He did break Dion's record, but Dion accomplished his 42 points on our home court. Jayllen scored 44 at Jackson. Fraulini scored 46 on our home court. The point I was trying to make with my posts about our gyms was that the things listed were done on our home court, with the exception of team accomplishments, such as won/loss records by a particular team, for example, the 1988 State Champions who went 27-1......or a coach's overall record, for example, Eugene Collins who went 201-130.

Andrew Bendolph and Kyre Allison scored 26 points each as freshman at our new gym. The 1,000 point scorers scored their points at home and on the road, but fans got to witness a good portion of their accomplishments at our home gym.

Thanks Dave, I didn’t know he broke it at Jackson, just knew he broke it.

[trojandave]

Lovehoops4: Red Hopkins was Dick Hopkins father, and Rick Hopkins is Dick's son. All together they compiled a record at PHS of 315--168 with 2 state championships, 2 state runnerups, an AP Poll championship, and a total of 7 Final 4's. Rick coached at East (Sciotoville) for quite a while and won around 300 games there.

[trojandave]

The 1988 Portsmouth Trojans Division 2 State Championship Team

Roster: David Barnes, Phil Whitehead, Patrick Tubbs, Jeff Leonard, Bo Burns, Craig Miller, Mike Stephenson, Dominic McKinley, Brian Kelly, Jason Taylor, Chris Apel, Jeff Ramey, Ricky White

Coach: Joe Suboticki

Final Record: 27-1 (tied the 2025 State Champion Lady Trojans for best record in school history)

Regular Season:

PHS 89, Miami Trace 56
PHS 67, Chillicothe 50
PHS 70, Zanesville 55
PHS 87, Ashland KY 49
Russell KY 95, PHS 73
PHS 62, Ironton 55
PHS 100, Columbus Mifflin 55 (Wendy's Classic)
PHS 100, Dayton Colonel White 82 (Wendy's Championship)
PHS 66, Waverly 47
PHS 57, Boyd Co. KY 52
PHS 72, Greenup Co. KY 36
PHS 79, West Union 64
PHS 88, Ashland KY 69
PHS 88, Columbus Linden McKinley 66 (Linden McKinley ended up D1 State Runnerup to Cincinnati Woodward)
PHS 82, Russell KY 73
PHS 60, Gallipolis 40
PHS 61, Ironton 57
PHS 73, Cincinnati Moeller 62
PHS 79, Boyd Co. KY 59
PHS 64, Greenup Co. KY 62

Tournament:

PHS 72, Portsmouth West 47
PHS 59, Ironton 56 (Sectional Championship)
PHS 46, Gallipolis 37
PHS 88, Sheridan 65 (District Championship)
PHS 76, Kettering Alter 68
PHS 90, Cincinnati Forest Park 80 2OT (Regional Championship at UD Arena)
PHS 68, Mansfield Malabar 65
PHS 54, Chesterland West Geauga 47 (State Championship at St.John Arena)

The starting 5 for this team was David Barnes, Dominic McKinley, Bo Burns, Patrick Tubbs, and Ricky White. All were seniors. David Barnes scored 24 points in the Mansfield Malabar game which is still the record for most points by a Trojan in any state tournament game. Patrick Tubbs scored 1,297 points for his career, while Phil Whitehead scored 1,027. Dominic McKinley led PHS in scoring in the state tournament game with 19 points.

Portsmouth won the Ohio-Kentucky Athletic Conference for the 2nd year in a row, losing only to Russell KY 95-73.

[trojandave]

The 1990 Portsmouth Trojans Division 2 State Runnerup Team

Roster: Daryl Lisath, Todd Skaggs, Jay White, Damond Mannon, David Austin, Dwight Lewis, Phil Whitehead, Lou Barnes, Scott Barnes, Brian Kelly, Eric Miller, Mike Estep

Coach: Joe Suboticki

Final Record: 24-3

Regular Season:

PHS 88, Chillicothe 51
Hamilton 80, PHS 57
PHS 110, Ashland KY 50
PHS 98, Russell KY 78
PHS 107, Columbus East 91
PHS 83, West Union 64 (Wendy's Classic)
PHS 65, Gahanna Lincoln 62 (Wendy's Championship)
Boyd Co.KY 86, PHS 78
PHS 90, Greenup Co.KY 55
PHS 107, Columbus Marion-Franklin 67
PHS 81, Ironton 75
PHS 69, Ashland KY 66
PHS 92, Russell KY 56
PHS 70, Gallipolis 37
PHS 77, Ironton 70 OT
PHS 73, Columbus Mifflin 65
PHS 83, Boyd Co. KY 65
PHS 74, Greenup Co.KY 42
PHS 75, Columbus Brookhaven 54
PHS 88, Columbus Watterson 51

Tournament:

PHS 81, Rock Hill 59 (Sectional Championship)
PHS 58, New Lexington 57
PHS 80, Fairland 75 (District Championship)
PHS 85, Watkins Memorial 71
PHS 72, Steubenville 64 (Regional Championship)
PHS 67, Van Wert 58
Dayton Colonel White 71, PHS 57 (State Championship)

Portsmouth won the Ohio-Kentucky Athletic Conference for the 4th year in a row, losing only to Boyd Co.KY 86-78. There were 2 players who ended up with over 1,000 points for their careers. Damond Mannon scored 1,057, while Phil Whitehead scored 1,027. The 24 wins are the 2nd most in school history, tying the 2012 Trojans (also 24-3). The 110 points scored vs. Ashland KY is the 2nd most points in a game in school history, topped only by the 115 points scored vs. Northwest in the 1991 sectional.

[trojandave]

The Portsmouth Trojans 2011 Division 3 State Semifinal Team

Roster: Zaide Whitley (Noel), LJ Adams, Jacob Cook, Andrew Bendolph, Seth Bratchett, Trevor Violette, Jayllen Carter, Len Collins, Mason Jordan, Wayne Evans, Dion McKinley, Tre Underwood, Cody Stapleton, Robert Grubbs

Coach: Eugene Collins

Final Record: 21-5

Regular Season:

South Webster 54, PHS 47
PHS 67, South Point 46
Warren 68, PHS 64
PHS 63, Jackson 34
PHS 64, Wheelersburg 56
Chillicothe 58, PHS 48
PHS 49, Gallia Academy 44
PHS 55, Pace, Florida 43
Los Alamitos, Calif. 55, PHS 38
PHS 53, Spanish River, Florida 47 OT
PHS 77, Waverly 60
PHS 81, Logan 53
PHS 66, Ironton 41
PHS 58, Marietta 48
PHS 61, Jackson 44
PHS 62, Chillicothe 42 (the win broke a 14 game losing streak vs. Chillicothe)
PHS 73, Marietta 49
PHS 69, Gallia Academy 31
PHS 66, Logan 54
PHS 75, Warren 58

Tournament:

PHS 65, South Point 64 (Sectional Championship)
PHS 59, Northwest 42
PHS 61, Fairland 41 (District Championship)
PHS 45, Wheelersburg 39
PHS 69, Chesapeake 68 (Regional Championship) Wayne Evans made game winning shot with 4 seconds to play.
Cleveland Central Catholic 58, PHS 47 (State Semifinal)

Leading Scorers for this team: Wayne Evans 20.3, Dion McKinley 17.4, Andrew Bendolph 13.4

Andrew Bendolph led PHS in the state semifinal game with 15 points. 3 players from this team scored over 1,000 points for their careers. Wayne Evans and Dion McKinley both scored 1,096 points, while Andrew Bendolph scored over 1,000 including his points at Wheelersburg his junior season. This team ended a 21 year drought of making the state tournament, with the last previous appearance being the 1990 team. PHS tied Warren for the SEOAL title with a 12-2 record.

[trojandave]

The Portsmouth Trojans 2012 Division 3 State Runnerup Team

Roster: LJ Adams, Mason Jordan, Duke Edwards, Cody Stapleton, Zaide Whitley (Noel), Seth Bratchett, Trevor Violette, Jayllen Carter, Len Collins, JW Horsley, Wayne Evans, Dion McKinley, Levi Porter, Robert Grubbs, Kyle Ratcliff

Coach: Eugene Collins

Final Record: 24-3 (tied with the 1990 State Runnerup Trojans for the 2nd best record in school history)

Regular Season:

PHS 56, South Webster 42
PHS 73, South Point 58
Ironton 66, PHS 52
PHS 54, Jackson 39
Warren 61, PHS 56
PHS 45, Chillicothe 43
PHS 63, Wheelersburg 32
PHS 81, Cincinnati College Prep 55
PHS 78, Russell KY 50
PHS 77, Gallia Academy 36
PHS 71, Whiteoak 38
PHS 62, Logan 57
PHS 79, Piketon 57
PHS 59, Ironton 53
PHS 62, Jackson 54
PHS 69, Warren 66
PHS 56, Chillicothe 34
PHS 67, Peebles 44
PHS 78, Logan 58
PHS 67, Gallia Academy 50

Tournament:

PHS 50, Wheelersburg 34 (Sectional Championship)
PHS 48, Piketon 32
PHS 54, Lucasville Valley 50 (District Championship)
PHS 53, Chesapeake 45
PHS 50, Ironton 40 (Regional Championship.......Ironton scored 0 points in the 2nd quarter; PHS led 23-5 at the half)
PHS 74, Ottawa-Glandorf 66
Cincinnati Summit Country Day 53, PHS 37 (State Championship)

Leading Scorers for this team: Dion McKinley 19.5, Wayne Evans 16, Zaide Whitley (Noel) 10. Evans and Jayllen Carter combined for 45 points in the State Semifinal, the most ever by two Trojans combined in a state tournament game. PHS won the SEOAL with a 12-2 record. Dion McKinley was named the 2012 D3 Ohio Player of the Year, while Eugene Collins was named the 2012 D3 Ohio Coach of the Year. Zaide Whitley (Noel) led the Trojans in scoring in the state championship game with 16 points.

This team is the last SE district school to advance to a state championship game.

[trojandave]

The Trojans fared well at the Johnstown scrimmage last Saturday, winning 4 of 6 quarters vs. Columbus Beechcroft and Johnstown.