The 1950 Portsmouth Trojans won the school's first of 6 district titles in the 1950's, and a player with one of the most colorful names in Trojan history would make a key play vs. Lancaster in the district semifinal. James "Sweetwater" Douglas made a steal and basket to clinch a 49-48 win over the Golden Gales. Portsmouth would beat Chillicothe 51-49 to win the district championship.
In the regular season, PHS opened the season with a 62-28 win over Portsmouth East. Ironton was defeated twice, while Columbus East, Huntington East WV, Cincinnati Elder, Hillsboro, Greenfield, and Dayton Stivers all fell to the Men Of Troy. Chillicothe was defeated 46-45. PHS posted a 3-2 mark in the Greater Ohio League. Jackson and Portsmouth East succumbed to the Trojans in the sectional before Douglas' heroics vs. Lancaster. Hamilton got revenge for its earlier loss to Portsmouth as they topped the Trojans 47-44 in the regional semifinal.
Bert Barney made first team All-Ohio, and would later by inducted into the Portsmouth High School Hall of Fame.