Here is the scoring summary for the 1931 Class AA state tournament:

State Semifinal: Portsmouth 16, Akron West 15

Akron West: Labbe 7, Podlish 1, W.Averitte 2, A.Averitte 4, O'Toole 1..........Totals: 5 FG, 5 FT, 15 points
Portsmouth: Moore 5, Cropper 6, Parker 0, Bricker 1, Doll 4..........................Totals: 6 FG, 4 FT, 16 points

Championship Game: Portsmouth 20, Canton McKinley 19

Here is a decade by decade record of the Portsmouth Trojans with highlights:

Here is a list of how the Trojans have fared against undefeated teams in the tournament:

Here are the basketball members of the Portsmouth High School Athletic Hall of Fame: Updated 12/14/2024

The 1979 Portsmouth Trojans are the only PHS basketball team to have ever won an AP Poll championship, having done so with a perfect 18-0 mark. PHS returned 3 starters from its 1978 state championship team, those being Craig Tubbs, Scot Taylor, and Scott Burrows. Jack Bendolph and Kirk McMahon rounded out the starting 5. The Trojans had several close calls during the season, as they edged Chillicothe 51-50 on Craig Tubbs free throw line jumper with just seconds to play. PHS then squeaked by Columbus Mifflin 57-55 on Kirk McMahon's baseline jumper just before the buzzer.

Here is some info about Portsmouth vs. common opponents:

Ironton.......last update 1/9/2026

Here is some info about the Portsmouth Trojans state tournament teams of 2011 and 2012:

2011
Record: 21-5  Coach: Eugene Collins
Notable wins: Chillicothe, Warren, swept Logan, Jackson, Gallia Academy, won at Ironton 66-41
Top players: Dion McKinley, Wayne Evans, Andrew Bendolph, Zaide Whitely, Tre Underwood, Len Collins, Mason Jordan
State tournament result: Lost to Cleveland Central Catholic 58-47 in state semifinals

Here is some info about the Portsmouth Trojans state tournament teams of 1980, 1988, and 1990:

1980
Record: 21-6  Coach: Dick Hopkins
Notable wins: Wheelersburg, #1 AP Willard, Athens, Marion-Franklin, Ironton
Top players: Marcus Bendolph, Kirk McMahon, Troy Jackson, John Mitchell, Keith Wilburn, Kevin Wilburn
State tournament result: Beat #1 AP Willard in state semifinals 65-53, lost to Hamilton Ross 45-44 in state championship
Special note: Marcus Bendolph scored 37 points in the two games for 3rd highest total by a Trojan in state tournament play

Here is some info on the Trojans state tournament teams of 1941, 1961, and 1978:

1941
Record: 16-5   Coach: Peg Ellcesser
Notable wins: Marietta, Akron North, Dayton Roosevelt, Sciotoville, Chillicothe, Ironton, Springfield, Zanesville
Top players: Joe Babcock, Sparky Echols
State tournament result: Lost to Lakewood in the first round of the Sweet 16 (1941 would be the last PHS appearance in the Sweet 16 state tournament)

The Portsmouth Trojans made 3 appearances in the OHSAA state tournament in the 1930's. Here is some info about each of those teams:

1931
Record: 20-2    Coach: Red Hopkins
Notable wins: Marietta, Lima Central, Hamilton, Columbus North, Dayton Stivers, Cincinnati Walnut Hills, Corinth(KY)
Top player: George Noel (All-Ohio)
Special note: Beat Hillsboro 36-14, Chillicothe 33-6, Greenfield 37-11 in tournament
State tournament result: Beat Akron West 16-15 in semifinals, beat Canton McKinley 20-19 for state championship