The 1941 Portsmouth Trojans had the distinction of being the 8th PHS basketball team to qualify for the state tournament, which at that time was formatted in a Sweet 16 bracket. In the regular season, the Trojans beat Marietta, to open the 1940-41 campaign, then followed with a 38-22 win over Akron North. Dayton Roosevelt, which defeated PHS in the 1934 state championship game, fell to the Men Of Troy by a 40-23 count (Del Rice 18 points). Sciotoville, Chillicothe, and Ironton all ended up on the short end of the scoreboard, all by lopsided margins. One of the most impressive wins of the regular season was against Springfield, as one of the state's most highly touted teams was routed by PHS 49-21 (Joe Babcock and Sparky Echols 10 points apiece). Portsmouth would later secure their second win vs.Dayton Roosevelt and Chillicothe. Zanesville was defeated 27-25. Huntington Central WV, Springfield, and Middletown twice were the Trojans only 4 losses. PHS would finish in a tie for second in the SOL( forerunner of the Greater Ohio League).
The Trojans faced Lakewood in the first round of the Sweet 16 state tournament, and unfortunately for the Men Of Troy, the team from Lorain County would end the season for PHS. Lakewood would advance to the Final 4. Overall, it was a very good 16-5 season with a state appearance for Portsmouth.