PALM BAY, Fla — Palm Bay’s Jaida Civil had a great year on the basketball court for the Pirates last season, but the offseason is when the work to improve starts. The results are showing as colleges are noticing her game. She just completed her first year playing basketball at Palm Bay and the junior led the team in points and assists.

“I used to play every position now I play point guard,” said Civil. “The thing I like most is dishing off my team mates the ball and sharing the ball, seeing them score also like being another coach out on the floor.”

She comes from an athletic back round. Her dad grew up playing sports, including basketball, but it was her mom that got her started in the game.

“She bought me a ball and went to the park and I just started playing like that and ever since then it’s been my favorite sport,” she said.

She not only performs well on the court but also in the classroom.

“Right now I have a 3.6 or 3.7 GPA,” said Civil.

Jaida says the teachers and school staff played an important role in her high GPA. 
And maintaining those grades has not been easy, due to traveling and competing in AAU tournaments this spring, in hopes of increasing her recruiting profile.

“Picked up like 4 or 5 more offers in addition to all the ones I had and some of them came back from when I was younger,” she said.

Those offers include schools like Alabama, Auburn, and Baylor. Even though Jaida wants to play at the next level, she is still focused on achieving goals with her teammates at Palm Bay.

“The goal in my senior year is trying to get to the state championship with this team,” said Civil. “I think it’s going to be a good year for us in my senior year. I’m hoping to win a state championship with them.”

The summer is going to be busy for Jaida. She plans on participating in 3 AAU tournaments in July.