BASKETBALL: Young leads No. 14 Chaps into WJCAC play

Young and the Chaps hope that success continues into Western Junior College Athletic Conference play as No. 14-ranked Midland College (14-0, 0-0 in the WJCAC) heads to Big Spring at 3:45 p.m. Saturday to play rival Howard College (10-4, 0-0) in the league opener.

"I'm excited," said Young about starting WJCAC play. "We've been working hard every day, we've been competing at a high level every time and giving it 100 percent.

Doug Young

"I think the key to (the team's success) started in practice and (head coach Tra Arnold) teaches us to being a team guy first. I feel that's what we've been doing. We've been putting the team first and we've gotten good results with me and Keonte (Jones) leading the way."

Young has been everything MC expected him to be and more as a transfer from Indian River State College in Florida, as he has taken his game to a whole new level this year.

"I tell him all the time that he's in a situation where he can be the best version of himself," said Arnold of Young. "I think he's bought into me and our program and doing exactly what's asked of him. Honestly, I think he could be one of the most productive guards or combo guards, whatever you want to call him, in the country. He's doing that right now but he's doing it in a winning way. It's not just him shooting the ball all the time. We have good players who know their roles."

Some of those roles have had to be expanded this year because the team has gone through injuries for most of the season. Despite not having the full complement of players for most of the year, the Chaps have continued to roll and play at a high level.

"We've been going through ticky-tack injuries but that just comes from playing hard and practice," Young said. "Especially me and Keonte have had to take on bigger roles, not just scoring. I've got to rebound, I've got to make sure I get assists, I got to get a couple of steals to make sure we get a victory."

Young said even though he learned a lot at River State College last year, he realized it wasn't the right fit for him. While practicing for an all-American game, current MC assistant James Demopoulos called him about coming to Midland. Demopoulos was at Chipola College (Fla.) last year and had seen Young play against his team. Young said after having good vibes with Demopoulos, seeing a photo of Chaparral Center and being familiar with West Texas with time spent at Odessa College, it was a no-brainer to want to play for the Chaps.

"I also wanted to take on the challenge of helping this team win," he said. "I've won everywhere I've been and then I come here and we've won some more. You can't say I'm not a winner or I don't affect winning in some kind of way."

Young said his game has improved because he's put in the work in. He credits MC staff members for helping him work on his game as he's been in the gym both in the morning and at night.

"My focus and realizing this is my third year in Juco," said Young about his keys to success this season. "I'm just not trying to take it for granted. I know what Juco can do for you, it can change your life. It's always the way I've approached it, but I've taken it more serious this year. Outside of the court, I drink gallons of water a day. I'm trying to be a professional because there's only a small of window of opportunities where you can go to the next level from here."

Young said he's gotten interest from several schools including Illinois-Chicago, Jacksonville University, University of Portland, UT-Rio Grande Valley and Cal-State Bakersfield.

But before he picks his next destination, Young just wants to help his team start off WJCAC play on the right foot.

"I pray we get off to a good start and we just continue what we've been doing," he said. "This is my last year in Juco and I want to go out with a bang."