Pope John Paul II guard Ayden Wise

The clock was ticking down and Ayden Wise had the ball in his hands with the Pioneer Athletic Conference Championship on the line.  The 6'1 guard drove to the basket and scored with four seconds left to give Pope John Paul II a thrilling 47-45 victory over Spring-Ford.  Nine months later, Wise still has a difficult time describing his feelings that night.  "It's a moment that I can't explain. I was in shock. It was an amazing moment. Thank God for everything," he told SV Sports' Paul Roberts.  The (19-7, 9-2) Golden Panthers captured their first conference title since 2011.  They return four starters from a squad that reached the District 1-4A Final before falling to Bishop Shanahan 62-56.  Wise averaged 13 points, 5 assists and 2 steals.  The senior guard will be joined in the backcourt by Jason Green.  He poured in a team-high 18 ppg. and shot 45% from beyond the arc.  "That's my guy. He's a special person in my heart," said Wise.  Jack Kessler, a 6'4 senior forward, and football standout Zahaid Edwards-Boone are back as well.  Ayden's father, Earl Wise, is entering his third year as head coach.  "Overall, it's a great relationship and I'm glad that he's my coach," replied Ayden Wise.  Pope John Paul II will be battling with Spring-Ford, Pottsgrove, Phoenixville and Methacton, among others, in the PAC this winter.  All of those teams won at least 18 games a season ago.  "The PAC will definitely be good. It will definitely be competitive and we're gonna push hard to go back-to-back...We're gonna get everyone's best game," noted Wise.  Pottsgrove will be without 6'5 senior Deymein Doctor due to an injury.  He provided 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists as the Falcons went (23-5).  Phoenixville lost four starters to graduation including versatile 6'6 forward Deacon Baratta.  Joe Dempsey has guided Spring-Ford to three straight appearances in the state playoffs.  Jacob Nguyen, the Rams' all-time leading scorer, has moved on to Thomas Jefferson University.  Wise recently made his college decision.  He'll continue his basketball career at Division II Kutztown University.  "It's close to home. I got to step on that campus and it felt like home. I can't wait for my freshman year...I'm gonna have to get a little stronger. It will definitely be a good challenge," he said.