Saint Vincent is looking to defend its PAC crown in 2023-2024.
It was Jimmy Petruska’s Saint Vincent Bearcats that came out on top of the PAC last season when all was said and done, capping off yet another 20+ win season and making it three championships in five years. That’s enough to start throwing around the word “dynasty” if you ask me. But it’s not the Bearcats atop the Preseason Coaches’ Poll as the conference schedule arrives. Let’s check out what this season has to offer around the PAC.
#1 WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON PRESIDENTS (95 points)
Key returners: junior forward Meghan Dryburgh, junior guard Brynn Bezjak, junior guard Adalyn Cherry
Another powerhouse program in the PAC, the Presidents finished last season as the #1 seed in the tournament before falling in the semifinals. Head coach Jina DeRubbo is in her 20th season at the helm and W&J has won over 20 games an astounding 14 times since 2004-05.
“I think the key for our long term success is the culture and the standard of work that these players commit to,” said DeRubbo. “When we have new players come into the program they see the time, work and dedication that the upperclassmen put into this team outside of practice. They have no choice but to follow along because it simply is the culture that has been built over time. In addition to the work the players put in, they genuinely care about each other, they respect each other and ultimately they don’t want to let each other down.”
Meghan Dryburgh returns as the reigning PAC Player of the Year after averaging 13.3 ppg while shooting 48% from the field and 31.7% from three. She also was the PAC’s second leading rebounder, averaging 11.5 per game, which means she averaged a double double throughout the regular season. But DeRubbo says the accolades and the numbers aren’t driving her junior star.
“Meghan had a fantastic season last year, but we didn’t win a championship and that is what she cares about. It is certainly a driving force is her desire to be better,” said DeRubbo. “I think the thing that separates her is her versatility. She is in the top of almost every statistical category. She can score a lot of points and is a phenomenal rebounder but sometimes people overlook her ability to see the floor and be a playmaker. She worked hard this summer to expand her game and has grown into a strong leader for this team as well.”
The Presidents were the best shooting team in the conference last season, an accomplishment that they should have all the pieces back in place to repeat. And here’s the scary thing…according to DeRubbo, they’re even deeper this year. She called this group of new players “exceptionally strong” and said they’ve brought a level of intensity to their practices that she’s not sure she’s ever seen before in her career. And considering her résumé, that’s impressive.
#2 SAINT VINCENT BEARCATS (91 points)
Key returners:senior forward Alana Winkler, senior guard Emily Cavacini, junior guard Emily Thompson
Head coach Jimmy Petruska is entering his 14th season at Saint Vincent, coming off yet another impressive regular season followed by a conferee championship. So what has he learned along the way? What makes his team’s click? Well, it goes deeper than just basketball.
“Throughout this journey, we have learned how to release our players from the stresses involved at being a high-level competitor. It is not an easy process and it takes time to convince our players to shift the focus on growth instead of results,” said Petruska. “I have also learned that overall success is only attainable through a daily commitment to every aspect of our players’ lives. At times, we as coaches have a tendency to only focus on the athletic technique, style of play, etc. I think that is natural with being a coach, however, coaching is much deeper than that. I am given the ability to teach many components outside of the sport but are directly linked to the sport. I take great pride in upholding our players to those high standards because I know that it will serve them a lifetime once they are finished playing the sport.”
The Bearcats will have three of their top four scorers returning in Cavacini, Thompson and Madison Webe and Alana Winkler comes back as the PAC Defensive Player of the Year.“Alana Winkler brings a high level of defensive intensity, intelligence and IQ within our system,” Petruska said. “Alana is a dynamic leader. She is a versatile defender that can guard the opponents PG-stretch 4 spot. Her ability to rebound the ball is extremely important as well as applying ball pressure in certain situations that assist our team in getting stops.”
It looks like Saint Vincent is loaded with talent once again with their veteran head coach and very much have a chance at repeating as champions.
#3 CHATHAM COUGARS (84 points)
Key returners: junior guard Ashlie Louden, sophomore forward Alyssa Laukus, sophomore guard Hannah Chenault
Chatham is coming off a magical season in which it set records for wins in the regular season and made a run all the way to the title game. Now it’s about repeating that. And achieving more.
“For us it’s all about the here and now,” said head coach David Saur. “How do we maximize today’s practice, execute, and compete at a high level in today’s game? One day at a time approach is the only way we can continue to have sustained success and build upon what we did last year.”
The Cougars are absolutely on an upward trajectory, filled with young talent. Laukus and Chenault are coming off fantastic freshman seasons where Laukus averaged 11.4 points per game. Meanwhile, Ashlie Louden averaged 14.4 ppg last season and still has two more years to go within the program. Laukus’s season got her PAC Newcomer of the Year honors last year.
“Alyssa is so effective because she gives maximum focus and effort daily,” said Saur. “Skill work, practice, pre game warmups, she is focused and competing in everything she does. Alyssa has already started to take her game to the next level this season by accepting a bigger offensive role. Her volume of opportunities to make plays will increase this season. We look for Alyssa to be an even bigger part of our offensive attack this season.”
There’s another newcomer this season who is trying to earn that award that Laukus did last year: Celi Portillo. She made it onto the PAC Preseason Watch List.
“Celi is a natural talent at the forward position,” said Saur. “Great hands, feet and has a mature feel for the game at such a young age. Her size and length will be a big asset for us. Celi is maturing by leaps and bounds on the court because of her strong work ethic and competitive focus each day.”
Watch out for the Chatham Cougars in 2023-24.
#4 WESTMINSTER TITANS (75 points)
Key returners: 5th year forward Lindsay Bell, graduate guard Camden Hergenrother
This might be the most veteran-laden team in the conference and should serve them well as the season goes along. They’ll have plenty of experience to draw from.
It will benefit us with our chemistry on the floor and our game experience,” said head coach Rosanne Scott. “Having our leaders have also been great helping the younger players adapt and mentoring them.”
Lindsay Bell landed in the PAC top 15 in rebounds last season while also being in the top 6 in shot blocks. She’ll be a pivotal piece in keeping points off the board. But coach Scott said they will look to play a more up-tempo game this season while doing some different things defensively to keep teams on their toes.
She also believes this team will have more chemistry on and off the court. This will be an older, cohesive group to compete with.
#5 ALLEGHENY GATORS (58 points)
Key returners: junior guard Emily Lauer, sophomore guard Jess Bickart
Emily Lauer had a huge sophomore season and she makes the Gators offense dangerous. She averaged an outstanding 18.4 ppg. Meanwhile, Jess Bickart averaged 8.6 ppg in her freshman season to give the Gators young talent to draw from.
Allegheny went 12-8 in PAC and should have the talent to improve that mark this season.
#6 GROVE CITY WOLVERINES (54 points)
Key returners: senior forward Kat Goetz, junior guard Mara Polczynski
Goetz averaged 9.5 ppg while also being an excellent rebounder with 6.3 rebounds per game.
If the Wolverines want to make a jump in the standings this season, they’ll need to do more offensively. They finished toward the bottom of the conference in points per game last season and their field goal percentage landed as second-worst.
#7 BETHANY BISON (50 points)
Key returners: junior guard Lindsey Garrison, senior guard Mackenzee Mason
The Bison will get their two top scorers back in Garrison and Mason. That will give them a chance to vault themselves higher in the PAC standings.
Bethany also finished last season with the 3rd-best three point shooting percentage in the conference, something they’ll look to repeat this year.
#8 GENEVA GOLDEN TORNADOES (38 points)
Key returners: senior forward Mia San Nicolas, senior guard Cynthia Milroy, junior guard Taylor Milroy
Geneva put on an offensive show last season, leading the conference in points per game by 10 points over the next best team. That’s significant. And they’ve got plenty of offensive talent coming back with San Nicolas (17.5 ppg) and the Milroy’s.
The problem is…defense. They gave up 95 points per game last season, dead last in the conference. If they can improve that number just a little bit, they’ll be dangerous.
#9 WAYNESBURG YELLOW JACKETS (28 points)
Key returners: graduate guard Anika Dansby, sophomore forward Emma Seto
Dansby averaged just over 8 points per game last season but they’ll have some offensive production to make up for this season. They struggled offensively last season, so they’ll need players to step up to have more consistent success.
#10 FRANCISCAN BARONS (22 points)
Key returners: junior center Madison Doan, Jazzlyn Melnyk
Doan averaged 13.9 points per game last season and will have Mikayla Doan to play with this season coming in as a freshman. Another freshman, Maria McCallen, also showed up on the PAC Preseason Watch List.
If they can get production from them, maybe the Barons will outperform their projections.
#11 THIEL TOMCATS (10 points)
Key returners: junior guard Taylor Susany, junior guard Lexy Wagner
The Tomcats have two freshmen coming in who are looking to make an impact in forward Jah’nya Dorsey and guard Josie Lewis. They’ll have to replace Destiny Johnson who was the only Tomcat who averaged double digit points per game.
