BASKETBALL: Midland College Chaparrals Crack NJCAA Top 20
Heading into the 2022-23 season there were many question marks regarding the MC men’s basketball team. A coaching change and the addition of several key team members have altered the trajectory of the program as well as reestablishing a winning culture. Midland College is ranked #18 in the most recent NJCAA Men’s Division I Basketball poll.
By Forrest Allen
MC Athletics Director
Midland College Basketball
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Midlandd, TX
MIDLAND. TEXAS - Heading into the 2022-23 season there were many question marks regarding the MC men's basketball team. A coaching change and the addition of several key team members have altered the trajectory of the program as well as reestablishing a winning culture. Midland College is ranked #18 in the most recent NJCAA Men's Division I Basketball poll.
Under the leadership of first-year coach Tra Arnold the Chaps were rewarded for their outstanding play when they entered the NJCAA Men's Division I Basketball Top 20 ranking for the first time this season. The Chaps were ranked #23 in the previous poll, prior to defeating then #14 Weatherford College, with only seven healthy players.
The team is a blend of returnees, sophomore transfers and a few talented freshmen which have reinvigorated the program in the image of the energetic, intense Arnold. Along with the addition of Coach Arnold, assistant coaches James Demopoulos and Stanimir Zivjulj have injected a level of enthusiasm into the team which has materialized into success on the court.
Midland College is currently 13-1 overall this season and will be using the semester break to become a more complete and healthy team. Sophomores Doug Young, Keonte Jones, Trent Johnson, Brison Waller and Christian Villegas are each logging significant minutes for the Chaps. Young and Jones lead the team in scoring with 21.3 and 18.7 ppg respectively.
The Chaparrals return to play when they open the 2023 WJCAC schedule on Saturday, January 7th at Howard College.