PANTHER MEN'S BASKETBALL RANKED #4 IN PRE-SEASON POLL!
The Palm Beach State Men's Basketball team will certainly not sneak up on anybody this coming season. The Panther's led by head coach Butch Estes surprised everyone last season by going 25-6, gaining a final #12 ranking in the country, qualifying for the State's Elite 8 and winning the Southern Conference. The Panther's return 7 players that were critical in their rise from last to first and will be counted on in creating a continued culture of a competitive nature. For the first time in the history of the school since the 2 year college pre season rankings came out in the mid 1980's, Palm Beach is ranked in the top 5 in the country.
The Panthers will open up their quest for their first State title since 1978 next week with 3 home games. Check the Panther Athletic Website for days and times of games along with coaches and players pictures and bios.
PANTHER BASKETBALL WOMEN PROVIDE COMMUNITY SERVICE - Released Sept. 6, 2011
On August 20 the women's basketball team participated in the 1st Walk for Change Festival Held in Belle Glade. Walk for Change is an event that celebrates organizations, individuals, and businesses that are working hard toward making a change for the better in Health, Education, Economic Development, Job Creation and Crime Prevention. The Panther women led the group in exercise warm ups before the walk and spoke to children about sports and a college education.
BASEBALL ALUM CALLED UP TO BIG LEAGUE - Released Sept 6, 2011
Former Panther pitcher, Brad Peacock was called up to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday August 31. Peacock played for the Panther squad that was ranked #1 in the country in 2007. Peacock was 9-2 during the 2007 season and this past year in the minors had a sparkling 15-3 record.
PALM BEACH STATE SOFTBALL TEAM HELPS RAISE FUNDS TO FEED CHILDREN IN LAKE WORTH - Released Sept 1, 2011
The Palm Beach State College softball team volunteered on Sunday, Aug 28th at the "No Child Left Unfed" and "A Voice for Choice" fundraiser held in Lake Worth. The fundraiser raised money for hungry children in the Lake Worth area. The funds will also sustain a program to feed elementary school aged children every Saturday morning at Casa de Mara. This will ensure that even while not in school they are receiving food and nourishment. The event raised more than $6,000. The softball team helped set up vendor booths and prepare food service as well as hula hooped with the kids and handed out free hugs.
FORMER NJCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL STAR YOLANDA GRIFFITH NAMED ONE OF TOP 15 PLAYERS IN WNBA HISTORY - Released Aug. 1, 2011
One of the top 15 players in the history of women's professional basketball is a former Palm Beach Junior College (now Palm Beach State College) and Florida Atlantic University standout Yolanda Griffith. This recognition came during halftime of the recent WNBA All-Star Game.
Joining Griffith on the distinguished list were Cynthia Cooper from the four-time champion Houston Comets, long-time LA Sparks standout Lisa Leslie, Teresa Weatherspoon of the New York Liberty and LA Sparks, Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury and Sheryl Swopes of the Tulsa Shock. "This list of 15 players is composed of exciting -- and dominating -- players from start to finish and highlighted by players of all kinds," stated WNBA chief of basketball operations Renee Brown to media covering the WNBA All-Star Game. "I cannot think of 15 more deserving women to represent to more than 700 players who have taken the court wearing the WNBA logo on their uniform during our 15-year history."
Enrolled at Palm Beach Junior College, (now Palm Beach State College) she played basketball and led Palm Beach to two Region 8 Championships. In the professional ranks, Griffith spent nine of her 11 seasons with the Sacramento Monarchs, where she led the organization to the WNBA Championship in 2005. The eight-time WNBA All-Star also played for Indiana and Seattle. She earned the league's Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1999, and was the WNBA Finals MVP in 2005.
EX-PANTHER "BOYS OF SUMMER" IN NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT!!
Palm Beach State's alumni Tony Cruz and Peter Mooney continue to shine as their baseball careers blossom. Cruz who played for Palm Beach State in 2007 was recently called up to the Major League with the St. Louis Cardinal organization and is currently the backup catcher. Cruz was a third baseman/infielder for the Panthers that were ranked #3 in the country in 2007. He was an All Southern Conference selection and batted .389 with 8 home runs.
Mooney, who is a starting member of the University of South Carolina this season is participating in the College World Series which can be seen on ESPN. The Gamecocks are defending National Champions and appear to be on a collision course with Florida for the title this season. Mooney was highlighted on ESPN Wednesday (June 22, 2011) as one of the top ten plays of the previous night. Peter was a part of 2 third place FSCAA State Tournament teams and was 2 time National Defensive Player of the Year at his position.
THREE PANTHERS NAMED TO ALL STATE SPRING TEAMS - Released May 9, 2011
Palm Beach State placed 3 members of their athletic squads on the second team of the FSCAA All State team this spring. Lauren Garceau, catcher for coach Martha McCall's softball team was announced at the recently concluded state tournament. Garceau, a sophomore started in 37 games and batted .360. Garceau led the Panthers in at bats (111), hits (40), rbi's (21) and batting average. She is the first player to be named to the all state team in Coach McCalls tenure.
The Panthers baseball team placed 2 players on the second squad, Nick Zaharion and Bryan Adametz. Zaharion batted .354 with 52 hits, 11 doubles and 37 rbi's while Adametz hit .363 with 66 hits , 12 doubles and 35 rbi's. Adametz was also the Athletic Department's Academic Athlete of the Year.
ESTES NAMED SOUTHERN CONFERENCE COACH OF THE YEAR -Released Feb. 24, 2011
Coach George "Butch" Estes was recently named the Southern Conference Coach of the Year. Estes took the Panthers to the Southern Conference crown his first year as head coach at Palm Beach State. The Panthers were also the #2 rated team in the state of Florida and ended the year as the #12 ranked 2 year college team in the country. The Panthers going into the FCCAA State Tournament are 25-5. In addition, freshman Waverly Austin, and sophomores Chris Colvin and Antonio Johnson were named to the All Southern Conference team. Palm Beach State will begin state tournament play on Thursday March 3 in Marianna, Florida facing off against Daytona State from the Mid-Florida conference. That game will be broadcast live on psblive.com at 9pm (est).
PANTHERS BASEBALL PRESENTS 2011 RECRUITING CLASS
Panthers Coach Kyle Forbes (left) with the 2011 baseball signing class: (from left) Joey Stark, second base, Palm Beach Central High School; Mitchell Blakeney, pitcher, Palm Beach Central High School; Ryan Church, catcher, Santaluces High School; Michael Tallet, first base/pitcher, Boca Raton High School; Spencer Kasmere, pitcher, Atlantic High School; J.D. Underwood, first base/pitcher, Palm Beach Gardens High School; Calvin Greener, third base/pitcher, Jupiter High School.
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