Adams County Schools Claim Seven Spots on SHAC Boys Basketball All-Conference Team

Seven of the 18 players named to the 2025-26 Southern Hills Athletic Conference boys basketball all-conference team come from Adams County, with the Peebles Indians leading the county's haul after a run to the Division VI district championship.

The SHAC released its all-conference honors following the close of conference play and the early rounds of the postseason. Adams County's four high school programs — Peebles, West Union, North Adams, and Manchester — all contributed at least one honoree to the 18-player list, with selections spread across the first team, second team, and honorable mention categories.

Peebles claimed the largest share of county recognition with three all-conference selections, a fitting complement to a postseason in which the Indians won the Division VI district title at Ohio University. The Indians defeated Eastern High School 56-54 in the district championship game on March 8 at Ohio University, capping a run that included a 69-58 semifinal win over Waterford. The district title gave Peebles players added weight heading into the conference coaches' vote, and the program's three all-conference picks reflect a roster that performed when the stakes were highest.

The county's representation across three tiers of the all-conference list underscores that the recognition is not confined to a single program. West Union, North Adams, and Manchester each contributed players to the overall total of seven, demonstrating that competitive talent in Adams County extends well beyond any one school. In a conference that spans multiple counties across southern Ohio, that kind of county-wide showing is notable.

For small, rural programs like those in Adams County, all-conference recognition carries practical value alongside the community pride it generates. Conference coaches cast ballots for these honors at the conclusion of the season, meaning each selection reflects a peer evaluation of a player's performance and impact over the full year. For seniors weighing opportunities at two- or four-year colleges, appearing on an all-SHAC list gives recruiters a credible reference point that transcends win-loss records.

The SHAC Winter Sports Awards ceremony, where honorees are formally recognized, was moved to March 29. That event will give county athletes and their families a chance to mark the season's end with the formal acknowledgment their performances earned.