TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Palm Beach State College's women's basketball team claimed the Region 8 Division II Championship for a second straight season.

Joined by Florida State College at Jacksonville, who moved to Division II beginning with the 2023-24 season, the Panthers won the Region 8 title by claiming the best-of-three regular season series between the two teams. 

After winning the first meeting on January 20, 70-67, Palm Beach State clinched the title with an 80-66 victory on its home floor on February 10. The teams played for the third and final time on February 24, with Palm Beach State winning, 62-55.

The Panthers have been ranked nationally for the balance of the season and will take a No. 17 ranking into the Gulf South District Championship Game on Saturday, March 9 in Bay Minette, Ala., against the Region 22 Champion. 

The game will be played at Coastal Alabama Community College's South Campus. 

Palm Beach State's Thornton, Smith earn top Region 8 honors

Palm Beach State's Ashley Thornton (pictured at right) has been named Region 8 Player of the Year. A sophomore guard from Belle Glade, Fla., Thornton leads Region 8 in scoring (13.0 points per game) and assists (4.7 assists per game) and also averages 4.5 rebounds. 

She was one of four Panthers named to the All-NJCAA Region 8 team following Saturday's finale at FSCJ - guard Taylor Blackshear, forward Keri Cooper and forward Savannah McAfee were the other three. 

FSCJ was represented by guards Tanaujeah Brown and Kyra Frazine.

Palm Beach State's Maureen Smith was named Region 8 Coach of the Year.