BASKETBALL: Chaps Punch Ticket to Men's Division I Tournament in "Hutch"

By Forrest Allen
Midland College Athletics Director

Midland College Basketball
NJCAA Region 5 Basketball Tournament / Championship Game
Saturday, March 11 @ 2:00 p.m.
Frenship HS Tiger Pit
Wolforth, Texas

WOLFFORTH, TEXAS - The Midland College Chaparrals basketball team capped off the 2023 NJCAA Men's Region 5 Basketball Tournament with a win over Ranger College in the tournament's championship game.  Midland College, 27-6, went 3-0 in the event, including Saturday's 68-55 win versus the Rangers.  Ranger College falls to 26-7 this season and sits on the "bubble" for an at-large bid into the national tournament field. 

To win the tournament title MC put on an impressive post-season run with wins over three teams ranked in the NJCAA's Top 25:  #25 McLennan Community College (, #3 Odessa College and #21 Ranger College.  The Chaps had been ranked as high as 11^th nationally this season but dropped from the poll after mid-season injuries took their toll on the squad.  

In Saturday's championship game the Chaparrals went ahead early to take control of the game.  At the half MC led by 11 points; 32-21.  MC shot 43% from the floor in the contest, which included 11-29 (38%) from the three-point line.  Midland also shot 75% from the charity stripe.  Conversely Ranger College shot 29% from the floor and 14% from the three-point line.  

The Rangers offense focused on getting to the basket and scoring in the paint.  MC committed 28 personal fouls to Ranger's 13.  The foul disparity led to the Ranger's 30 attempted free-throws to Midland's 12 attempts from the line.  Ranger College scored 23 of their 55 points from the stripe.  MC bench players stepped up to the challenge scoring 26 points in the game.   Midland College dominated on the boards outrebounding Ranger College 45-29.  The Chaparrals recorded 13 assists to Ranger's two. 

In the Region 5 Championship game MC's Keonte Jones recorded a "double-double" scoring 18 points and pulling down on 10 rebounds; both game-highs.  Fellow Chaps Xavier White scored 15 points while Trent Johnson scored 10 points along with four rebounds. 

The win propels the Chaparrals into the 2023 NJCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament in Hutchinson, KS on March 20-25.  This will be the Chaps' first appearance at the National Tournament after a 12-year absence.  From 2006 to 2011 Midland College made four appearances in the National Tournament (3^rd in 2004, 1^st in 2007, 2^nd in 2009 and 2^nd in 2011). 

The complete NJCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament bracket will be revealed on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. (ET))/6:00 p.m. (CT).   The national tournament field is comprised of 16 "qualifiers" and eight teams who are selected for at-large bids by the NJCAA Men's Division I Basketball Committee. 

16 qualifying teams include (NJCAA Region/District): 

Roane State, TN (Region 7/Appalachian), 23-8; Cape Fear, NC (Region 10/Atlantic), 15-13; John A. Logan, IL (Region 24/Central), 29-2; Monroe College, NY (Region 15/East), 28-4; Meridian College, MS (Region 23/Gulf), 20-8; Moberly Area CC, MO (Region 16/Midwest), 30-3; Trinity Valley CC, TX (Region 14/Mid-South), 14-18; Southeastern Iowa CC (Region 11/North Central), 25-8; Trinidad State College, CO (Region 9/Northwest Plains), 23-7; Butler Community College, KS (Region 6/Plains), 25-8; Snead State College, AL (Region 22/South), 25-8; Northwest Florida State (Region 8/South Atlantic), 26-7; Seminole State College, OK (Region 2/South Central), 25-7; South Georgia State (Region 17/Southeast), 26-7; Salt Lake CC, UT (Region 18/West), 29-4 and Midland College, TX (Region 5/Southwest), 27-6. 

What's next for the Chaps ...

NJCAA Men's Division I National Basketball Tournament
Hutchinson, KS

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 @ 4:30 p.m.  (CT)
Midland College Chaparrals vs. winner of Chipola College (FL)/Cape Fear Community College (NC)

• 2023 NJCAA D1 Men's Basketball National Championship
Tournament Schedule/Results/Video/Stats (LIVE)

Go Chaps!