The Portsmouth Trojans will return 3 starters from a 17-8 team last year. Reese Johnson (6-1 SR), Daniel Jordan (6-2 SR), and DJ Eley (5-8 SR) will give PHS plenty of experience at key positions. Although it will be several weeks before the roster is finalized, most of the spots are set. Senior transfer Isaac Kelly (6-3, 200) will compete with MyQuel McKinley, a 6-3 JR, for the 5 position. Either player will give the Trojans a very athletic presence in the post.

The Portsmouth Trojans have made 15 appearances in the OHSAA state tournament, and have won 37 district championships. After verifying various sources of information, Portsmouth has won an amazing 64 sectional championships since 1917. Below is listed all the sectional championships that PHS has won:

The Portsmouth Trojans have an outstanding 163-80 record from 2010-2019, in which PHS is averaging just over 16 wins a season. Historically, compared to other decades, the current decade is the 2nd most successful period in school history. It is only topped by the 1980's, in which the Trojans amassed an amazing 197-50 record, for an average of almost 20 wins a season. Of course there are still 2 years left in this decade. Also, the 2 state Final 4 appearances rank with the 1920's, 1930's, and 1980's for most Final 4 trips.

This information is previously contained in several articles in this website. I have condensed the information to make it easier for the reader to find each category. This list has been updated after the 2017 state tournament.

Portsmouth Trojans Composite State Ranking

The Portsmouth Trojans have played in 27 state tournament games, which is 4th all-time in Ohio. Portsmouth's record in those games is 16-11. The 16 wins are the 4th most all time (tied with Middletown). Here are the top 10 schools for most state tournament games played, with overall record, total appearances made, and most recent appearance:

School.............................................#Games........Record..........Total App.............Most Recent Appearance

Here is a listing of all 27 games that Portsmouth HS has played in the OHSAA state tournament:

Here are the teams in Portsmouth's bracket for the KSA Holiday Tournament in Orlando, FL.........First round games are paired together:

Dec.28

Portsmouth HS........Hilliard 65, Portsmouth 60.......click onto the live stats icon above
Hilliard Senior HS (FL)

Harlan HS (KY)........Portsmouth 65, Edgewood 53.......click onto live stats icon above
Edgewood HS (FL)

First game of the season: Portsmouth 47, Waterford 44..........the Trojans trailed the Wildcats 32-21 at halftime, but Coach Eugene Collins decided to press Waterford after the break, and it was the difference in the game. WHS scored only 12 points after halftime, and Portsmouth forced 17 turnovers. 6-3 senior Kendal Reynolds came through with some clutch baskets/FT's in the final 2 minutes. PHS still trailed 38-32 going into the 4th quarter, but won the battle in the final frame 15-6.

The Portsmouth Trojans will start their 3rd season of Ohio Valley Conference play in 2016-2017. Last season, the Fairland Dragons won the conference crown with a perfect 14-0 league mark. Fairland returns all 5 starters from a year ago, plus several key players off the bench. The Dragons starting 5 were all sophomores a year ago, and still they advanced to the district finals where they lost to eventual regional champion Lynchburg Clay. FHS should be a prohibitive favorite to capture another OVC crown.

The Portsmouth Trojans have a decorated state tournament history. PHS is 4th in state appearances, 2nd in number of decades making the state tournament (8), tied for 4th in state championship game appearances (8), and tied for 6th in state championships won (4). I researched a new category of state tournament performance, and once again the Trojans are among the elite programs. Below is listed the total number of wins in Final 4 play after the 2018-2019 state tournament: