The NJCAA's first official polls came out for the 2008-09 season and the Midland Chaps were ranked #3 in Division 1.  This marks the fourth year in a row that the Chaps have been preseason ranked in the top fifteen and the third season in a row to be ranked in the top four. 

Here's what the NJCAA voters had to say about the Chaparrals: "Midland again looks to be an early favorite to compete for a national title out of Region 5 with nine players returning from last year's team. Top returnees include Greg Hill (6'2", 200 lbs.) and Brad Kelleher (6', 178 lbs.). Hill averaged 13.0 points and 2.3 rebounds last year while Kelleher contributed 10.6 points and 3.5 assists. David Terrell (6'4", 220 lbs.) is another key returner for head coach Grant McCasland (4 years, 110-28). He averaged 8.1 points and 6.8 rebounds for the 07-08 season. McCasland is also expecting big things from Kavon Lytch , who averaged a double-double of 16.9 points and 14.2 rebounds at Division II Redlands Community College (Okla.) last year, and Garrett Lever , who was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season while playing at University of Nebraska-Kearney (NCAA DII). Midland begins their season on Oct. 31st when they host Western Oklahoma State College. "