NATCHEZ — When the championship parade for the Natchez High School Lady Bulldogs rolled around downtown Friday, the team was celebrating more than their efforts on the court.

Though the Lady Bulldogs have reached high accolades this season, head coach Alphaka Moore said she was proud of them as more than just athletes, but as honor roll students.

“These kids have done something most people haven’t,” Moore said. “They’ve won a state title, south state title and a district championship in the same year. They have done all three and did it while taking Advanced Placement classes, getting college credit and maintaining jobs.”

Of the 17 players on the basketball team, two Lady Bulldogs have a 4.0 GPA or higher, 7 Lady Bulldogs have a 3.0 or higher, the rest except one have a 2.5 or higher GPA.

The Natchez-Adams School District may have its own criteria student athletes must abide by to play sports, but Moore has her own criteria.

“You have to have a C average or above to play sports but on my team, a B or above to touch the floor,” Moore said.

All five starters on the team; Kiana Jones, Ernesha Chatman, Zyaire Ewing, Rashonae Rice and Kirdis Clark have at least a 3.0 GPA.

Moore said she is proud of her players for not only bringing home the school’s first state title since 1993, but also rising above the academic expectations bestowed upon them.

Moore said some of her upperclassmen have been giving the opportunity to attend college on full scholarships.

“Their grades are awesome,” she said. “You don’t get a full ride (scholarship offer) for being a dummy, you have to have the grades.”

Guard Anniyah Pannell said the Lady Bulldogs have kept their grades up because they are teammates off the floor as well.

“Just like we did on the court, if someone needs help, we help them out,” Pannell said. “Everybody on the team has to have good grades so they can play. If someone can’t play, it would hinder us in a large way. Everybody on this team is needed in class and on the court, so for everyone to play, we all have to come together in the classroom first.”

Senior guard Kiana Jones leads the Lady Bulldogs on the court and in the classroom.

She has a 3.6 GPA while playing basketball, track, dance and takes dual enrollment classes at Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s Natchez campus.

Junior guard Ekeria Williams has a 4.0 GPA, and she is also taking dual enrollment classes at Co-Lin.

Moore said despite having aspirations to lead Natchez High to more championships, she wants to prepare her players for college, which she said is the most important for her as a coach and a teacher.