John Bruce, Staff Writer
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
LUCASVILLE — Youth is typically something that, potentially, can work against a team when it comes to postseason pressure.
CREDIT: Renee Nemeth/SOSA
However, Portsmouth is fortunate to have youth that aren’t afraid of the moment. The Trojans’ young group rose to the occasion on Wednesday in the biggest game, to this point, in their careers.
With a trip to a district final on the line, the Trojans’ sophomore duo of Daysha Reid and Savannah Cantrell, alongside freshman Sienna Allen, combined to score 51 points as they led their Trojans (19-5) to a decisive 61-34 victory over Adena (18-6) in a Division III district semifinal.
The victory allows the program to make its first trip to a district final since 2004.
In the opening minutes, it appeared the game would be a battle as Allen scored to begin things before Adena’s Caelan Miner splashed a corner 3 for the Warriors. After the teams traded buckets, a deep 3 from Cantrell gave the Trojans a 7-5 lead, and one they wouldn’t relinquish.
While they paid great attention to Adena’s Emma Garrison and made every point she scored quite difficult, what the Trojans took advantage of was their ability to score points off turnovers.
Allen and Reid each scored easy layups in transition, before Reid knocked down a 3 and Allen found K.K. Mays inside for a layup, before scoring on another drive, to help put Portsmouth ahead 21-10 after the first quarter.
PHOTOS: Images from Portsmouth’s win over Adena
“During the timeout in the huddle, coach [Amy Hughes] always says that we have to keep pushing out the lead,” Allen said. “We started really quick and didn’t let up.”
Adena showed no quit, battling with the Trojans in an even second quarter as sophomore Kamryn Sowers connected from deep while classmate Corinne Day scored four quick points as well to cut the lead.
However, a pair of triples from Cantrell, who finished the night with 15 points and nine rebounds, quickly changed all momentum and appeared to put the game on ice — increasing the Trojans’ lead to 16 points late in the half.
“It was just one of those nights,” Cantrell said with a smile. “I felt confident as soon as I got out there.”
Garrison was able to close the half on a mini 4-0 run to make it a more manageable 35-23 deficit for the Warriors at the break, but the Trojans put the game away quickly after halftime.
Behind the duo of Allen and Reid, and a stellar defensive effort, the Trojans outscored Adena 14-2 in the third.
“We were already hyped before the game started because of the potential to play again on Saturday,” Reid said. “I felt good after the first few shots and I just kept going.”
Reid led the Trojans with a game-high 19 points, while Allen added 17 points and four assists. Garrison led Adena with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Portsmouth will look to win its first district championship since 1985 at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Waverly’s Downtown Gymnasium against in-city rival West.
BOX SCORE
Portsmouth: 21-14-14-12 — 61
Adena: 10-13-2-9 — 34
Portsmouth: 28-48 FG, 1-3 FT, 4-8 3pt., 28 rebounds (Cantrell 9), 10 turnovers, 10 assists (Allen 4). Scoring: Reid 19, Allen 17, Cantrell 15, Ankrom 6, Mays 4.
Adena: 13-54 FG, 6-8 FT, 2-17 3pt., 24 rebounds (Garrison 7), 14 turnovers, 4 assists (Williams 2). Scoring: Garrison 14, Sowers 7, Day 6, Miner 3, Corcoran 2, Ater 2.
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