Now that the ink has barely dried on the 2017-2018 season, a season in which the Trojans went 16-8, here's a look at what the Trojans may look like in 2018-2019:
Matthew Fraulini(who will be a junior) is the only starter returning for the Trojans, and that is a good starting point, because he was the leading scorer for PHS (unofficially around 15 PPG). Two other players who figure to play significant roles in the Trojans' fortunes are Daniel Lattimore and MyQuel McKinley, both of whom will be seniors. There will be a lot of uncertainty about the rest of the roster, considering that the JV team went 1-21 and with some talented kids who will be sophomores and freshmen next season. Sophomores-to-be Michael Duncan and Devin McLaurin both played on the JV and varsity squad late in the season. The starting 5 for Portsmouth will have several positions open, and the competition for those spots will be totally up for grabs. Right now, naming a starting 5 is next to impossible.
Looking at the players that will supposedly be available for next season, the challenge for the Trojans will be on the scoring end of the court. Fraulini will be the only proven scorer that returns, and it looks right now as if Portsmouth will lack size in the post once again. As far as the OVC, Gallia Academy returns 4 starters, Ironton returns 4 starters, South Point returns at least 3 starters, Chesapeake returns 4 starters, Rock Hill loses only a couple of players, while Fairland loses its entire starting 5, and Coal Grove loses 3 starters. Only Fairland loses more starters than Portsmouth. Non-conference foes Wheelersburg and South Webster have most of their starters returning.
Wins could very well be hard to come by for the 2018-2019 Trojans, but a lot can happen between now and December. GO TROJANS!!
Update 3/22/2018: Miles Shipp, who will be a sophomore next season, transferred to PHS from Notre Dame. The 6-3 Shipp started for the Titans in 2017-2018, and will be a starter for next year's Trojans. Shipp will provide a combination of athleticism and physicality. He will be eligible to play a full season.