BACK-TO-BACK: Portsmouth claims 2nd consecutive state title with win over Ottawa-Glandorf

Brock Netter, Editor

Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.

DAYTON — It’s ring season in Portsmouth — again.

Ottawa-Glandorf threw everything and the kitchen sink at the Trojans on Saturday afternoon, aiming to knock them off the top of the mountain. 

But the Trojans showcased a winner’s mentality while calmly knocking down late free throws, reigning supreme in Division V with a 53-48 victory over the Titans to win their second consecutive state championship. 

Portsmouth (24-4) is the one to put the one in Ottawa-Glandorf’s 28-1. 

“These kids are really tough. To pull this off the way they did rebounding and defense is beyond phenomenal,” Portsmouth coach Amy Hughes said. “It’s really a dream come true. Winning a state title is something we’ve talked about with this group for the last eight years, and this feeling fulfills every dream we’ve had. Winning the first state title was special, but going back-to-back is so tough to do and it’s indescribable to put into words.”

Keke Woods has dazzled all season, but she truly save her best performance for her last.

The junior’s showing on the biggest stage will go down in the history books — literally.

Her final stat line: 26 points, eight rebounds, five steals and one state championship trophy, all while shooting a perfect 11-of-11 from the field.

“We play here in Dayton every summer, so we’re very familiar and really comfortable on this court,” Woods said. “It’s basically our second home. I just wanted to play to my full potential and leave it all on the court. I made sure to hustle on every possession for my team to make sure that we accomplish winning the championship.”

Woods opened the game with five of the Trojans’ seven points, giving them a 7-6 lead. The Titans ran their offense through Madison McKee, and the junior center responded with 10 first-quarter points to give OG a 15-14 lead after the first eight minutes.

Later trailing 20-18 later, Portsmouth’s Bry Shannon connected on a triple, followed by a bucket underneath from Woods to put the Trojans back in front at 23-20. 

Portsmouth kept the pedal to the metal from that point on.

Woods and Sienna Allen continued to pour it on offensively, allowing the Trojans to take a 31-24 lead into halftime. 

Portsmouth shot 70 percent from the field, including a perfect 2-for-2 from the 3-point arc and shot 83 percent at the free throw line in the first half while forcing seven Titan turnovers.  

“These girls are winners, on the court and off the court,” Hughes said. “The main thing about them though is their super coachable and listen to the adjustments we’re making on the fly. They were making shots, not rushing the game in any way and taking what was given to them.”

Woods continued her tear in the third, scoring seven of the Trojans’ eight points in the frame to push the lead to 39-31. However, McKee and Karsyn Erford combined for a 6-0 run to end the frame, trimming the deficit to 39-37. 

Carter responded by scoring a pair of baskets, alongside another from Woods to keep the lead, but the Titans continued to stick around as two free throws from Erford, and a triple from Gracie Lammers, cut the Trojans’ lead to 47-46.  

But Allen and Carter knocked down four straight free throws and, although Erford responded with a 3, Allen knocked down two more shots to put the championship victory on ice. 

“Free throws are an everyday thing in practice, so it’s really just keeping routine when you step to the line,” Allen said. “I stay after every practice until I hit 10 in a row, and sometimes I’ll keep going after that. It’s all about keeping yourself calm in those moments and blocking out the crowd noise.”

Following Woods’ numbers on the night was Allen, who added 13 points. Carter chipped in with eight points, four rebounds and three assists. 

Allen and K.K. Mays will now graduate and make up, unarguably, the greatest senior class to ever come through the program.

In their four years, Portsmouth amassed a total record of 92-17 with three OVC crowns, three district titles, three regional banners and two state championships.

“To end my career as a state champion means everything,” Allen said. “This is what I’ve worked for over the last four years and beyond. This title wasn’t just for me, it was for the team and our community who have given us so much support.”

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