Buck leaving St. Aloysius and headed to ACCS

Savannah Buck is parting ways with St. Aloysius as she has been named as the new Head Softball Coach at Adams County Christian School.

“I’ve had a good run at St. Al, but it’s time for me to move on,” Buck said. I’m not from Vicksburg or even Mississippi for that matter, so I knew when I got out of college that it would be a stepping stone for me and I knew I wouldn’t be here for that long. I especially appreciate Mike Jones for giving me my first real coaching opportunity and entrusting me with both programs.“

Buck, who spent four seasons as the Flashes Head Coach, took over a program that only won two games in two years prior to her arrival. They went win-less in her first two years but the Lady Flashes broke that curse when they defeated Jackson Academy 7-1 in 2021.

When Buck first arrived at St. Al, there was not much of a program at the school, but her influence got the girls interested in softball once again where she turned those ladies into athletes.

“This past Fall softball season we had the best year since entering MAIS competing in a 5A District,” Buck said. We started with 12 girls and ended with over 30. We built a home for the Flashes softball program.  We created friendships with the younger girls in the community through our camps and we worked long tireless hours.”

Flashes softball: Photo by Keith Phillips

The Flashes went 9-15 in 2022 which was St.Al’s best season in over five years as they were also one game away from reaching the playoffs.

Just shortly before turning her team around in 2021, Buck faced an injury where she was struck with a softball in the face during a lesson.

Savannah Buck after surgery

“I worked through a traumatic softball facial injury and came right out still coaching because I knew I had to be there with the girls even though I couldn’t talk.  We’ve faced a tremendous amount of adversity and scrutiny at times, but we learned how to overcome it all and compete.”

Although the wins was a plus for the program, Buck cherished the bonds she built with her athletes and moments she witnessed those girls becoming women she mentored them to be.

Flashes softball: Photo submitted

“The memories and relationships that have been created within this program will not be forgotten,” Buck said.

Buck didn’t do things alone, she also had her dad Jeff Buck beside her every step of the way as her assistant coach.

Jeff Buck and Savannah Buck: Photo by YAS

Savannah was also the head coach of the girl’s basketball team whose season ended last week.

“Basketball was the same,” she said. Our JV team placed fourth this season which they haven’t done in years and we were able to compete in the Jv district tournament.  We set goals, we worked on fundamentals over and over in both sports and the girls got better.  I did what I wanted to do with both programs and that’s all I can ask for and I’m proud of what we accomplished and I’m proud of every single player.”

Now that Buck’s job is done at St. Al, she will now be moving on to Natchez to take over ACCS.

“I’m excited for this opportunity to work with such a talented group of young women, Buck said. I’m gonna be sad without my dad by my side, but I am so thankful I had the opportunity to work with him as my assistant in both sports all this time.  We had a lot of fun and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  I have a great staff of assistant coaches at ACCS and I know they have the same philosophy and passion for the game as I do and I’m looking forward to getting to work.”

Buck was 23 years old when she first became a head coach, and now the Georgia native who starred at Blue Mountain College and Louisiana State University at Alexandria will continue her great success with a new team.