A 'pivotal piece' at Saint Joseph has earned 2024 Tribune Co-Male Athlete of the Year honors

SOUTH BEND — It’s easy to see the physical attributes of Jayce Lee when he dunks a basketball or smacks a baseball 400 feet for a home run.

What doesn’t show as easily, though, is the leadership Lee displayed during his time at South Bend Saint Joseph High School — especially his senior season.

A combination of his on- and- off-the-field work for the Huskies’ basketball and baseball teams has led to Lee being a 2024 South Bend Tribune Co-Male Athlete of the Year selection, alongside Mishawaka senior Brady Fisher.

“It means a lot to me,” said Lee of this honor. “It’s a testament to the work I’ve put in, the countless hours and the sacrifices I’ve made in my career.”

An unexpected state tournament run in basketball

The talent for the Saint Joseph boys basketball team was always there. After a regular season where they went 15-9, though, the odds of the Huskies making the state finals seemed low.

A big-time win over rival Mishawaka Marian in a Class 3A sectional semifinal game, however, started Saint Joe on a path to the state title game. They would beat South Bend Clay in the sectional final after that, John Glenn in a one-game regional and both Peru and Delta in semistate contests before falling to Scottsburg in the 3A title tilt.

Along the way, Lee became a key figure for the Huskies. He averaged 15.2 points and five rebounds per game, with his highlight-reel dunks and stellar defensive play sparking his team throughout the game.

From March:Jayce Lee soars into leadership role for South Bend Saint Joseph boys basketball

“A lot of it boiled down to the team chemistry, the relationships we formed and how close we got through the season,” Lee said. “We had some pretty exciting games and some pretty stressful ones, and that chemistry and relationships took over. We were able to band together and become stronger in those tough situations.”

Lee was named to the second-team All-Area team by the Tribune and an all-Northern Indiana Conference selection for his efforts on the hardwood.

“Jayce was a pivotal piece to our program,” Huskies basketball coach Eric Gaff said. “Most would say his elite athleticism is what made a massive impact on our program, but those of us who spent the countless hours in the gym with him know his biggest impact was in his leadership, chemistry and guidance of our next generation of players. We will miss his personality and ability to not only change games but change culture for the better.”

Earning conference MVP honors in baseball

After a somewhat sluggish start to the baseball campaign — his first game came six days after the basketball state finals — Lee caught fire in the second half of the season.

Even though his first RBI wouldn’t come until April 17 against South Bend Washington, the senior finished with 36 of them in 26 games played. He also batted .404 with a .505 on-base percentage and .719 slugging, finishing with 11 doubles, one triple and five home runs.

“Playing the basketball season that long and getting flipped into a whole new season quite literally the next week is tough for any person,” Lee said. “… When I got my reps and found my stride in baseball, it started feeling like second nature again and I was able to play how I was supposed to be playing.”

Saint Joseph finished the campaign with a 21-7 record, dropping a 6-1 decision to Marian in a Class 3A sectional championship game.

No summer break for Lee

Lee’s excellence in baseball earned him a scholarship at Notre Dame. He’s already started summer classes and workouts, getting a taste of what college is like before the fall semester rolls around.

“Jayce's journey to Notre Dame is a testament to his hard work, character, and the unwavering support he's received from his family, teammates, and our coaching staff,” said Saint Joseph baseball coach Johnny Smolinski on Lee’s college signing day earlier this year.

Lee plans on majoring in marketing at college.

“Living on your own is a new thing in my life,” said Lee of his early college experience so far. “Having a roommate, waking up early, going to workouts every day — it’s been an adjustment period, but I like where I’m at and I’m ready to thrive.”