Derrick Webb, Managing Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
ATHENS — When Portsmouth runs like it did on Saturday, there isn’t a Division V team in the state that can beat the Trojans.
That’s a bold statement. But it’s also true and coach Amy Hughes’ group will have the opportunity to prove it next weekend in Dayton.
After a lightning-quick start, the Trojans (26-1) eased past Fairland in a Division V state semifinal by a 63-40 final at Ohio University — clinching the program’s first-ever state championship appearance.
“So proud. We’re one big family and I’m just so proud of them. I absolutely love them all to death,” Portsmouth coach Amy Hughes said. “They know that and I just can’t say how proud I am of them.”
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
Senior Daysha Reid and junior Sienna Allen were as advertised all evening, combining for 40 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Fairland (21-6) simply didn’t have an answer for either.
“They’re just really special,” Hughes said of Reid and Allen. “The best part about them is that they love to pass. The smiles on their faces and how happy they are to find their open teammate is what’s so impressive. And it’s genuine.”
Portsmouth’s Daysha Reid and Fairland’s Isa Taliaferro traded 3-balls to begin the game.
And from there, it was all Trojans.
Sienna Allen nailed two free throws, Reid hit another triple, Keke Woods scored in transition and Allen scored again to cap a 9-0 run for a 12-3 lead.
Fairland’s Bailey Russell stopped the run with a 3 but KK Mays and Hayven Carter graced the scoreboard to put Portsmouth in front, 19-6.
Reid later put the icing on the first quarter’s cake, nailing a trey with just 9.8 seconds left, extending the lead to 22-8.
The lead never dipped below double digits again.
“For years, we’ve been focusing on playing defense the right way,” Hughes said. “We just play such good defense. It doesn’t matter how we’re shooting, if we have an off night, we just don’t have an off night playing defense. We finish that by rebounding the basketball. That’s just what we do. To get us off to a good start and to get us through the game, our defense has just been unbelievable.”
Allen began the second with a jumper before dialing long distance at the 3:23 mark for a 32-12 count. By halftime, that advantage had swelled further to 40-15.
It was smooth sailing in the second half as the Trojans put away the program’s first-ever state tournament victory.
Statistically, Allen led the Trojans with 20 points, six rebounds and six assists while Reid added 20 points and three helpers. Woods finished with 10 points, Carter had eight points, and KK Mays posted two points, six boards and five assists.
Fairland was led by Russell with 11 points while Addyson Cornell added 10 points. Ava Layne finished with eight points and Addison Godby also chipped in with five points, nine rebounds and four assists.
While the Dragons’ season comes to a close, Portsmouth advances to the Division V State Championship. The Trojans will meet with Norwayne, a 49-40 winner over Africentric, at 10:45 a.m., Saturday at the University of Dayton Arena.
Beating the Bobcats will certainly be a test. But the Trojans will assuredly be up for it.
“They enjoy every accolade they’re getting and what they’ve done for our community. It’s really pretty cool. But they will be focused. Their heads won’t be too big,” Hughes said. “We know a little bit about [Norwayne] and we know that playing defense will be very, very important.”
BOX SCORE
Fairland: 8-7-12-13 — 40
Portsmouth: 22-18-18-5 — 63
Fairland: 13-47 FG, 7-8 FT, 7-25 3pt., 22 rebounds (Godby 9), 16 turnovers, 8 assists (Godby 4). Scoring: Russell 11, Cornell 10, Layne 8, Godby 5, Taliaferro 3, Barnitz 3.
Portsmouth: 24-40 FG, 10-15 FT, 5-8 3pt., 25 rebounds (Si. Allen 6, Mays 6), 11 turnovers, 16 assists (Si. Allen 6). Scoring: Si. Allen 20, Reid 20, Woods 10, Carter 8, Mays 2, Shannon 2, Sa. Allen 1.
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