Phoenixville 6'6 senior Deacon Baratta
Phoenixville is coming off a season that its fans will never forget. The Phantoms held off Spring-Ford 54-52 to win their first Pioneer Athletic Conference championship since 2007. "It's been our goal the whole time I've been at Phoenixville and to actually get it with that group, it meant a lot," said Deacon Baratta. The 6'6 senior averaged 12 points and 7 rebounds last year. Baratta has been working hard this offseason. "A lot of ball handling. Obviously, a lot of shooting and trying to get stronger and faster," he told SV Sports' Paul Roberts. The Phantoms finished third in the District 1-5A playoffs. They lost to Whitehall 62-46 in the first round of the state tournament. Max Lebisky and Dawson Brown, two key members of that squad, have moved on. Lebisky, a 6'5 third team All-State selection, is playing at the University of Scranton. Meanwhile, Brown transferred to Episcopal Academy. Baratta is expecting a pair of sophomores to step up this winter. Phoenixville will be counting on point guard Keron Booth Jr. and Jacoby Smith. Baratta also mentioned that Ashton Alexander should have a larger role. The PAC has a new look this year. Pope John Paul II has moved from the Frontier Division to the Liberty Division. The Golden Panthers won the District 1-4A title last season. They traded places with Owen J. Roberts. Pottstown has improved tremendously since going (6-16) three years ago. The Trojans qualified for the PIAA-5A playoffs last season. "It's definitely real tough. A lot of teams in the Frontier [Division] are real good," replied Baratta. He has committed to Division III Tufts University in the Boston area. "I feel like I connected with the coaches and the team the most. Their players are super cool guys and the campus was really nice," explained Baratta. Academics was a significant factor in his decision as well. Baratta has a 3.7 GPA at Phoenixville. "I wanted to go to a school that could set me up for a good career after basketball ends," he stated.