Palm Bay Pirates Girls Basketball Team Wins Class 4A State Championship, Defeats American Heritage 67-57

By Zane Garcia, Space Coast Daily // March 7, 2025

Jaida Civil led the team with 20 points, 9 rebounds

ABOVE VIDEO: Palm Bay Pirates Girls Basketball team are the Class 4A State Champions after defeating American Heritage 67-57. Hear from the head coach EJ Murray and Player of the Game Jaida Civil, along with reaction from Palm Bay Pirates family and staff.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Palm Bay Pirates Girls’ Basketball team capped off a historical season with Class 4A State Championship Thursday night after defeating American Heritage 67-57 in Lakeland.

Now, the Pirates look ahead as they compete in “The Throne” tournament for a chance to be crowned National Champions.

To say the Palm Bay Pirates girls’ basketball team was destined to be state champions, would be an understatement.

The Palm Bay Pirates Girls’ Basketball team capped off a historical season with Class 4A State Championship Thursday night after defeating American Heritage 67-57 in Lakeland.

After playing a national schedule that included games against some of America’s best basketball teams, the Pirates were prepared for every team in Brevard County and furthermore, the state.

It was a record setting year for the Pirates, as they defeated Brevard County teams by an average of 57-point margin.

The Pirates were led by the University of Tennessee commit, Sr. guard, Jaida Civil, who scored 20 points and recorded 9 rebounds in the victory. Back in January, Civil was named a 2025 McDonald’s All-American. On the season she averaged 18 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals leading her team in each category.

The Pirates would finish the season on a ten-game win streak needing five more wins to be crowned state champions. Well, they would do just that. In dominating fashion, the Pirates won their three regional matchups and state semifinal by more than 30 points each time out.

From the tip, American Heritage came out with hot shooting, leading by as much as 14 points in the first quarter and shooting over 70-percent from the floor. The Pirates would come back strong and trail by only one point, 33-32 going into half.

The third quarter would go back and forth but owned by American Heritage as they carried a seven-point lead 50-43 going into the fourth.

However, the Pirates’ stellar defense and interior scoring would be too much for American Heritage to handle. Palm Bay won the fourth quarter 24-7 and shot over 90-percent in the fourth quarter, securing the victory 67-57 to be crowned Class 4A State Champions.

Civil led the way in scoring followed by Ellieyana and Carleyssia Wallace, Trishay Collins and Erynn Moffett contributed as well. Jr. Guard Jasleen Green led American Heritage, while Dezuray McGill and Yinuo Wang were key contributors. The Pirates showed much resilience and when Heritage went on runs, Palm Bay had an answer.

Next on the agenda for the Pirates is a national championship.