Coach Grant McCasland's Midland College Chaparral team showed why they are so highly regarded in their opening home games of the 2008-2009 season. The Chaps, the #3 ranked team in the NJCAA, hosted the Midland College Classic over the weekend in the Al G. Langford Chaparral Center.

Midland's first opponent was a Friday night match-up with Southwest Texas Junior College of Uvalde, TX. The Chaps appeared a bit unfocused in the first half taking a 10-point lead into the intermission. However in the second half MC outscored the Cowboys 54-31 to easily put away the victory. Leading scorers for the Chaps were Greg Hill with 23 points and Marlon Louzeiro who added 16 points and eight rebounds in the 96-63 contest. See full game stats here.

On Saturday, the Chaps faced a talented and athletic Cochise College (Douglas, AZ) in an afternoon tilt. Apaches employed its up-tempo offense and its defensive pressure to attempt to rattle the Chaparrals, but without success.

Buoyed by a tremendous scoring day by sophomore Kavon Lytch, who recorded 35 points and 14 rebounds and solid all-around performances by Greg Hill (21 points, four assists) and Brad Kelleher (20 points, five assists) the Chaps soundly defeated Cochise 112-73. Through its first four games the Apaches were averaging 120 points per game. MC's defensive effort held Cochise to 47 points below their average. Additionally, MC outrebounded CC to the tune of 54-24, with the Chaps hoisting 25 offensive rebounds (more than Cochise College's total rebounds). With effort like that the Chaps season outlook is bright. See full game stats here.

The Chaps now take their show on the road to the Gordon Paving/Mountain West Components Invitational in Twin Falls, ID. The tournament host will be #8 College of Southern Idaho. MC will face Santa Rosa College on Nov. 20 @ 5:30 (MST), Western Wyoming College Nov. 21 @ 5:30 p.m. (MST) and College of Southern Idaho on Saturday, Nov. 22 @ 7:00 p.m. (MST).