MC player Darrel Williams, #25, scores on an OC defender as the Chaps beat the OC Wranglers 80-69 on Feb. 4.

Chaps continue WJCAC domination

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Posted: 2/5/10

By Iline Tang
EP Editor
Martin Castaneda
EP Staff Reporter

The No. 1-ranked Midland College men's basketball team continues their undefeated season with an overall 23-0 record, 7-0 record in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference.

"Winning the championship is the ultimate goal," said MC Coach Ross Hodge. "I think to reach that goal, you have to be focused on coming out and just trying to get better during each practice, each game and each film session."

The Chaps snatched a victory from their rivals Odessa College on Feb. 1 with an 80-69 win.

Hundreds of MC and OC fans filled the Al G. Langford Chaparral Center as the Chaps started off their warm-up by running out to Ice Cream Paint Job by hip-hop artist Dorrough.

MC sophomore Darrell Williams led with a double-double for the Chaps with 25 points and 18 rebounds.

"It's motivation that gets me into zones like that to play so well," Williams said. "All week, coach talked about how good of a team they were and that was enough motivation for me."

MC sophomore Brockeith Pane said of Williams, "He's so strong so he can get the rebounds. It's kind of hard to keep him off the glass; he posts up good, has good moves and he shoots the midrange. He's just an all-around good player."

MC sophomore Jonathon Simmons came off the bench and helped the Chaps as he scored 16 points and dished three assists. MC sophomores Kenny Moore and Curtis Jackson contributed for the Chaps as they scored 20 points combined.

The Chaps took a quick trip to Snyder on Jan. 28 and defeated Western Texas College, 79-66.

Like OC's game, Williams led with a double-double against the Westerners and scored 24 points and grabbed 19 rebounds.

Three other Chaps were also in double figures. Pane had 21 points, Moore scored 14 and MC freshman, Guy Landry added 12 points.

On Jan. 25, the Chaps played at the Chap Center against New Mexico Military Institute and defeated the Broncos, 105-67.

Landry kicked off the game with a three-pointer and within 10 seconds of the first half, Landry had a dunk against the Broncos.

"I'm always confident," Landry said. "We know we can beat anyone. We just have to play very well and play good defense."

Pane led in scoring with 19 points as Moore and MC freshman Rodney Milum came off the bench and added 22 points together.

Williams contributed 14 points and six rebounds while MC freshman, Jordan Walker scored 10 points.

The Chaps took a victory over Howard College on Jan. 21 with a 74-64 win.

"Howard has the number-one defense in the country," Hodge said. "For us to lock them down and get a victory is saying a lot."

Williams and Pane each led the Chaps with 16 points as Landry and Walker added 23 points together.

During the MC and Howard game, MC freshman Ty Nurse fell to the ground while holding on to his calf towards the end of the second half.

"It was just a bad cramp," Nurse said. "I must not have stayed properly hydrated and the leg just locked up on me."

Nurse contributed for the Chaps as he scored five points, had one rebound and one assist.

On Jan. 18, the Chaps took a trip to Hobbs, N.M. and defeated New Mexico Junior College with a 62-54 victory.

Led by Williams with 13 points and nine rebounds, Landry and Simmons helped the Chaps as they added 23 points combined.

The Chaps took a hard fought victory over South Plains College on Jan. 14 with a 65-57 win.

Williams led the Chaps in both scoring and rebounding has he dropped 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.

Landry added 14 points and had four rebounds as Simmons had 12 points and dished seven assists.

On Jan. 11, the Chaps defeated Frank Phillips College as they played away with a 85-72 road win.

Pane led the Chaps with 22 points and also dished six assists. Williams scored 16 points and grabbed 13 boards as Walker and Nurse came off the bench and dropped 21 points together.

The Chaps traveled to San Jacinto Junior College on Jan. 2 and Jan. 3. The Chaps defeated Tomball College with a 124-70 win and also pulled a victory over Cy-Fair College, 114-49.

On Dec. 19 and Dec. 20, the Chaps were in Las Vegas, Nev., where they won first place in the Big 4 Championship.

On Dec. 20, the Chaps defeated Monroe College with an 86-70 victory and defeated Three Rivers College on Dec. 19 with a 74-65 victory.

The Chaps went into their first overtime with Southwest Texas Junior College on Dec. 9 and defeated the Cowboys with an 83-82 victory.

The Chaps will take a trip to Levelland on Feb. 8 where they will play SPC. The Chaps will be back at home on Feb. 11 where they will play NMJC at 7:45 p.m.