Can Anyone Challenge Princeton for the PAC Title?

Since the expansion of the Pocket Athletic Conference back in 2021, there have only been three schools to win the conference championship. Heritage Hills twice (2021, T-1st 2024), South Spencer twice (2022, 2023), and Princeton twice (T-1st 2024, 2025) As the state's largest conference with thirteen members, it makes it one of the deepest and most competitive conferences year in and year out. Here is my official Preseason Pocket Athletic Conference Ranking + Preseason All-Conference Team:   1st: Princeton Tigers   • With two returning starters in Indiana Junior All-Star 6'7” Forward [player_tooltip player_id='1560964' first='Edwin' last='Holmes'] and 6'2” Senior Guard DeMarcus Newson returning for Coach Lamar Brown along with bringing in two key transfers in 6'6” Senior Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2892468' first='Drew' last='Wilkas'] and 6'1” Sophomore Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2539928' first='Quintyn' last='Voltz'], it's not out of the question that the Tigers could be even more potent on offense this season after averaging nearly 60 points per games. With Princeton having the best player on the floor in every conference game, the Tigers are on the fast track to 3-leading as conference champions.   Conference Record Prediction: 12-0   2nd: Gibson Southern Titans   Coming off an 18-6 record last season, a mark that hadn't been surpassed since the 2003 season, the Titans are ready to take the next step under Coach Mark Rohrer and be the favorites to challenge Princeton for the PAC Title. Having to replace nearly 39 points per game from graduation, Gibson Southern returns potential all conference performers in 5'10” Senior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2978386' first='Cam' last='Truxal'] and 6'6” Junior Wing [player_tooltip player_id='2140411' first='Kolton' last='Schmitt'] along with a group of talented upperclassmen that have been battle tested at the varsity level.   Conference Record Prediction: 11-1   3rd: Heritage Hills Patriots   For first year varsity head coach Josh Wetzel, he couldn't have a better team to start his career with. Returning three starters, two of which have been starting since their sophomore years in 6'6” Senior Wing [player_tooltip player_id='1560951' first='Jake' last='Prior'] and 6'3” Senior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1560979' first='Peyton' last='Gray'], to go along with a talented junior class led by his son 6'6” Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2140443' first='Tait' last='Wetzel'] and 6'1” Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140370' first='Gunner' last='Lubbehusen']. The Patriots will look to their defense and their depth to lead them to a successful season.   Conference Record Prediction: 9-3   4th: Boonville Pioneers   With Coach Jason Gansman taking over within the last month, he is set to lead the Pioneers that returns basically everybody from year ago that contributed to 10-13 record last season. Leading the way from the talent junior class is 6'4” Wing [player_tooltip player_id='2140389' first='Jaxon' last='McKain'], who is one of the best downhill drivers in the area. Also returning are three-point snipers in 6'2” Senior Guard Logan Strahle, 5'11” Senior Guard Grant Davis, and 6'0” Junior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2622245' first='Cash' last='Willis']. The Pioneers will be able to trot out defensive minded lineups with good length without sacrificing anything on the offensive end having shooters all over the floor.   Conference Record Prediction: 8-4   5th: Forest Park Rangers   With Coach Drew Messmer at the helm, the Rangers have been the most successful program in the area with three sectional titles (four in a row the first under David Welp), two regional titles, and two consecutive semi-state appearances. The Rangers feature one of the areas premier big men in 6'9” Junior Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2140403' first='Kamdon' last='Partenheimer'], who is looking to build off a strong spring and summer. Also returning is 6'3” Indiana University Baseball Commit Jaxon Lueken, who suffered a broken collarbone in football, but could potentially make his return to the hardwood. Lueken has been a starter for his first three seasons for the Rangers and shot an astounding 43% from three last season.   Conference Record Prediction: 8-4   6th: Mount Vernon (Posey) Wildcats   First year head coach Doug Novsek, who has been an assistant coach at the Division I level for nine different programs, as well as a playing career at Southern Illinois in the mid-80s comes to Mt. Vernon with an exciting senior class led by returning leading scorer in 6'2” Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2213017' first='Meyer' last='Robb'] who averaged 15.2 points per game. The Wildcats return their next four leading scorers + five other players that appeared in 10+ games a season ago.   Conference Record Prediction: 8-4   7th: South Spencer Rebels   To show how loaded the Pocket Athletic Conference is, South Spencer returns their talented backcourt led by 6'2” Senior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2989713' first='Ashton' last='Rhoades'], who is one of the purest scorers in the area. He's a threat to score from all three levels and the confidence continues to grow. Along with 5'10” Senior Guard Ethan Fuqua, 5'9” Junior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140332' first='Braylon' last='Kelly'], and 5'8” Junior Guard Jase Page, the Rebels will have one of the more stout backcourts that will be able to score with the best of them.   Conference Record Prediction: 7-5   8th: Washington Hatchets   Coach Bo Burkhart has arguably the tallest task out of any first time head coach in the state having to replace the legendary Coach Gene Miiller, who walked the sidelines of Indiana High School Basketball for 50 seasons, his last 20 coming at Washington High School where he led the Hachets to three state championships in 2008, 2010, and 2011. With Coach Miiller's departure, the cupboard is not bare. Coach Burkhart brings back two big pieces in 5'9” Senior Point Guard Cooper Wright and 6'5” Senior Forward Cordell Turner. The duo should be one of the best inside-out duos in the conference. Versatile 6'5” Junior Wing/Forward [player_tooltip player_id='2394483' first='Levi' last='Burkemper'] should be a terrific third option and pick up his productivity this season.   Conference Record Prediction: 5-7   9th: Southridge Raiders   Graduating five seniors including high scoring combo guard Tate Whitehead, Southridge Coach Ryan Haywood will have one of his more inexperienced teams since he's been at Southridge. Returning from the starting lineup is 6'1” Senior Guard [player_tooltip player_id='1560966' first='Camden' last='Haywood'] that will have to pick up the slack in every facet of the game. He's a strong frame guard that thrives on getting on the lane, but has a jump shot that has improved every season in high school. Also a talented but inexperienced junior class with 6'2” Junior Wing Sam Gasser and 6'3” Junior Wing [player_tooltip player_id='2622135' first='Hudson' last='Montgomery'] could provide scoring punches.   Conference Record Prediction: 4-8   10th: North Posey Vikings   The Vikings have to figure out a way to replace losing three of their top four leading scorers from a season ago. Returning is 6'5” Junior Forward Braydon Compton who averaged just under 10 points per game last season for the Vikings is an athletic rim running big man that continues to develop his perimeter game. Joining him is 6'1” Freshman left-handed guard [player_tooltip player_id='2934109' first='Camden' last='Clowers'] that will look to make an immediate impact for first year head coach Jeff Embrey.   Conference Record Prediction: 3-9   11th: Tecumseh Braves   As the smallest school in the PAC, the Braves just simply keep getting chewed up and spit back out. The Braves have been in the midst of a bit of a talent dry spell, but look to be coming out of it. Their top seven in the rotation this season will all be returners for next season. The backcourt of 6'0” Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2882777' first='Damon' last='Oxley'] and 5'11” Junior Dax Kramer return to the starting lineup from a year ago. 6'5” Sophomore big man Logan Wilson should bring some size and scoring touch to the low post. Waylon Riddle is a 5'10” Sophomore Guard and [player_tooltip player_id='2989747' first='Maddux' last='Miller'] is a 5'9 Freshman Guard that could see meaningful minutes early.   Conference Record Prediction: 2-10   12th: Pike Central Chargers   Coming off a 1-23 season, there is a lot to look forward to in the future for the Chargers program under second year head coach Kevin Herdes. 6'0” Senior Guard Nate Davis returns after averaging nearly 14 points per game while shooting 36% from three as a junior. Along with Davis, the Chargers had four freshman last season that played in atleast 9 games.   Conference Record Prediction: 1-11   13th: Tell City Marksmen   The Marksmen are coming off a 9-15 season and 3-8 in the conference graduating their top four scorers, the lone impactful returner is 6'2” Senior Wing Owen James returning after averaging 6.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. The Marksmen need those numbers to increase drastically to remain somewhat competitive in conference play.   Conference Record Prediction: 0-12   PRESEASON All-CONFERENCE:   • [player_tooltip player_id='1560964' first='Edwin' last='Holmes'] - Princeton (Player of the Year)   • [player_tooltip player_id='2140389' first='Jaxon' last='McKain'] - Boonville   • [player_tooltip player_id='2989713' first='Ashton' last='Rhoades'] - South Spencer   • [player_tooltip player_id='2213017' first='Meyer' last='Robb'] - Mount Vernon (Posey)   • [player_tooltip player_id='2140443' first='Tait' last='Wetzel'] - Heritage Hills   • [player_tooltip player_id='2140411' first='Kolton' last='Schmitt'] - Gibson Southern   • [player_tooltip player_id='2140403' first='Kamdon' last='Partenheimer'] - Forest Park

Since the expansion of the Pocket Athletic Conference back in 2021, there have only been three schools to win the conference championship. Heritage Hills twice (2021, T-1st 2024), South Spencer twice (2022, 2023), and Princeton twice (T-1st 2024, 2025) As the state's largest conference with thirteen members, it makes it one of the deepest and most competitive conferences year in and year out. Here is my official Preseason Pocket Athletic Conference Ranking + Preseason All-Conference Team: