Chaps, Lady Chaps begin basketball seasons on Thursday

November 5, 2009

The nationally-ranked Midland College basketball teams begin the season today with tournament play.

The No. 6-ranked Lady Chaparrals host the Tip-Off Classic at Chaparral Center and they will play Yavapai (Ariz.) College at 7 p.m.

MC is coming off a 30-2 season and return five letterwinners off that team, led by 5-foot-7 guard Lauren Mansfield and 6-0 forward and Lee graduate Shaquiri Graham.

The MC men's basketball team begins a new era as Ross Hodge takes over as head coach and he will lead the Chaps into the Odessa College Classic where they will also play Yavapai College at 3:30 p.m. today.

Hodge comes from Paris J.C. and compiled a record of 83-17 record in three seasons with the Dragons.

The Chaps also begin the season ranked No. 3 in the NJCAA preseason poll and No. 2 by the Sporting News with a whole new group of players. None of the players from last year's team that went 33-4 and made it to the national championship game return.

Lady Chap Tip-Off Classic

Today-Saturday

All games at Chaparral Center

Today's Games

3 p.m.: Odessa College vs. Jacksonville College

5 p.m.: Howard College vs. Eastern Arizona College

7 p.m.: Midland College vs. Yavapi College

Friday's Games

3 p.m.: Jacksonville College vs. Howard College

5 p.m.: Yavapi College vs. Odessa College

7 p.m.: Eastern Arizona College vs. Midland College

Saturday's Games

1 p.m.: Howard College vs. Yavapi College

3 p.m.: Odessa College vs. Eastern Arizona College

5 p.m.: Midland College vs. Jacksonville College