St. Anne-Pacelli (24-6) capped their 2023-2024 season by winning the GIAA 4A state championship with a 44-31 win over Loganville Christian Academy last weekend. It is the first state championship in the schools 66-year history in any association. Jayddence Ford led St. Anne-Pacelli with 17 points, Azarel Juste tallied 10 points while notable player TJ Smith finished with 7 points for the Vikings in the championship game.
“It feels really good to bring a state title to St. Anne-Pacelli,” Athletic Director and Head Coach Corry Black said. “I’m fired up for our program and school for what is to come in the future.”
St. Anne-Pacelli entered the GIAA 4A Boys State Basketball Tournament as the No.1 seed with a bye until the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, St. Anne-Pacelli defeated Brookstone 55-36 as Jalien Bush had 18 points while Jayddence Ford had 12 points to advance to the semifinals. In the semifinals they defeated 5-seed Cristo Rey Atlanta 79-52 as Jayddence Ford led St. Anne-Pacelli with 18 points, Matthew Melvin added 16 points, TJ Smith tallied 15 points, and Azarel Juste added 12 points in the victory.
St. Anne-Pacelli challenged itself all season with competition outside of the GIAA. Every team St. Anne-Pacelli played during the regular season made the state tournament in their respective associations with the exception of St. Mary’s Academy (GIAA).
The Vikings went 7-5 vs GHSA teams overall and 6-4 vs GHSA state tournament teams.
Notable wins over GHSA state tournament teams included Douglas County (2x-6A Elite Eight), Warner Robins (5A Elite Eight), Valdosta (7A Second Round), Dougherty (GHSA 4A Final Four) and Greater Atlanta Christian (GHSA 5A Second Round). They also defeated FHSAA Ocoee (FL) who was a class 7A state regional semifinalist in Florida this past season.
Notable losses to GHSA teams included Newton (7A Second Round), Sandy Creek (3A Finalist), Tift (GHSA Second Round), Christian Heritage (GHSA 1A-DII Second Round), and Lee County (GHSA 6A First Round).
St. Anne-Pacelli’s only loss to the GIAA school was to Heritage-Newnan in the regular season. The Viking defeated Heritage-Newnan (GIAA 3A Runner-Up) later in the regular season and n the district tournament.
“I wanted to put together the toughest schedule so we could be prepared for anything in the postseason,” Black said about this seasons scheduling. “We have guys that want to play at the next level and playing against top competition helps them so when coaches see that we play everyone it will not hurt their recruitment,” he added.
Black was named GIAA 4A Coach Of The Year, and Jayddence Ford was named Player Of the Year.
Jayddence Ford (17.8ppg 2.2rpg 3.3apg), TJ Smith (13.8ppg 5.3rpg 2.3spg- GIAA 4A All-State), Jalien Bush (7.2ppg 4.2rpg), Michael Rowe, Matthew Melvin, and Mikehi Williams were key players for St. Anne-Pacelli and look to move on to the next level. Azarel Juste (7ppg 4.2rpg-GIAA 4A All-State) will move onto the next level as a Division-I football recruit.
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