Prep roundup: Smith steps down as PHS basketball coach; West, SW compete at Jackson Invite

The Portsmouth boys basketball program will have a new head coach beginning with the 2026-27 season.

Aaron Smith, a longtime assistant coach within the program before being promoted to head coach beginning with the 2024-25 season, has resigned from the position in an inquiry by the Daily Times.

Smith, who won 22 games in his two seasons as the head coach, helped Portsmouth improve from a 7-15 record in his first season in 2024-25 to a 15-10 overall mark and a third-place Ohio Valley Conference finish in his second campaign.

Three players from the 2025-26 team — second-teamers Connie Thomas and Daequan Woods and special mention selection Logan Adkins — were named as Ohio Prep Sports Media Association (OPSMA) All-District honorees.

Portsmouth closed the 2025-26 season winning 11 of its final 17 games en route to reaching the OHSAA Division V District Semifinals, where it lost to eventual OHSAA Division V Regional Finalist Ironton by three points (49-46) at the Ohio University Convocation Center in Athens.

In 2025-26, Portsmouth defeated two teams that reached at least the OHSAA District Final stage in Ironton and Eastern Pike. The Trojans also swept Ohio Valley Conference foes Coal Grove, Rock Hill and South Point and split with Fairland and Ironton.

Smith is stepping down from his position as a result of taking another job within the Portsmouth City School District.

West, South Webster compete at Jackson Invitational

The West Senators’ and South Webster Jeeps’ golf programs competed at the Jackson Invitational on Monday evening, with West shooting a 44-over 328 and South Webster posting a 68-over 352 teamwise to finish fifth and seventh in the 13-team event, which was held at Franklin Valley Golf Course in Jackson Monday afternoon.

West was led by Harrison Richards and Cason Frump, who each posted scores of 80 to head the charge in the 18-hole tournament. Owen Richards’ 83 and Logan Journey’s 85 rounded out the scoring for the Senators in the event.

Waterford ultimately won the Jackson Invitational by shooting a 19-over 303. Circleville (24-over 308), Jackson (33-over 317) and Fairfield Union (41-over 325) rounded out the first through fourth positions in the overall team rundown.

Eaton competes for St. Louis Gateway Gold

National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American and standout softball talent Macee Eaton continues to make headway, as the standout Virginia infielder and 2023 Wheelersburg alum spent the weekend playing for the St. Louis Gateway Gold as part of an exhibition tour.

Eaton was a part of the organization for its first four games in history as the squad, which was formed by former St. Louis Cardinals players Kyle McClellan, Matt Adams and Trevor Rosenthal as well as former University of Missouri softball talent Julia Crenshaw, gauges its overall interest in bringing professional softball to St. Louis.

According to McClellan, 2,100 people attended Wednesday’s contest between the Gateway Gold and the Kansas City Diamonds, with a sellout crowd of 2,500 individuals coming out for Thursday evening’s contest between the same two opponents.

“A huge thank you to the St. Louis Gateway Gold organization, Coach McClellan and everyone who made this experience possible,” Eaton’s mother, Amanda, said. “The future of professional softball is bright, and we’re grateful Macee had the chance to be a small part of it. Macee is coming home with new lessons, new friendships and even more motivation to keep chasing her dreams.”

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Yahoo Sports. Open at source →