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 1/10/24

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

The Portsmouth Trojans made 4 appearances in the OHSAA state tournament in the 1920's. Here is some info about each of those teams:

1925
Record: 11-2   Coach: Gail Vanoorsdall
Notable wins: Swept Ironton and Ashland(KY) twice, beat Chillicothe, Huntington, Portsmouth West, Portsmouth East
Special note: The OHSAA state tournament was formatted in a Sweet 16 at this time
State tournament result: Lost to Springfield in the Elite 8 (Springfield won the state title)

The Portsmouth Trojans have an amazing 7-2 record in regional final games since 1961. Here are those games.

1961: Portsmouth 46, Canton McKinley 38
1978: Portsmouth 75, Bellaire 53
1980: Portsmouth 49, Waverly 48
1988: Portsmouth 90, Cincinnati Forest Park 80 (2OT)
1990: Portsmouth 72, Steubenville 64
1991: Columbus Briggs 70, Portsmouth 69
2011: Portsmouth 69, Chesapeake 68
2012: Portsmouth 50, Ironton 40
2015: Columbus Eastmoor Academy 49, Portsmouth 45

Since the OHSAA began a statewide tournament in 1923, there have been many changes in the number of classes since that time. From 1923-1971, there were only 2 classes of basketball teams in Ohio. Portsmouth was a member of the larger class of schools during this time period. Around 1950, there were about 1,150 schools total in Ohio, which meant that advancing to the state tournament was even more difficult than it is today. Still, the Trojans captured state championships in the larger class in 1931 and 1961, and made state appearances in 1925, 1926, 1927, 1929, 1934, 1939, and 1941.

Portsmouth High School has a rich history of very successful coaches who have a combined total of 40 state appearances and 15 state championships. Below is a listing of all Trojan coaches who have won state titles at PHS, have taken PHS to the state tournament, or have taken schools elsewhere to the same level. State titles are listed with asterisks.

Portsmouth Coaches who took the Trojans to the state tournament: