Both the men’s and women’s teams from Midland College will close their regular seasons Thursday night with a road trip to face Howard College at Dorothy Garrett Coliseum, with postseason implications looming ahead of the NJCAA Region 5 Basketball Tournament next week.
The outcome of Thursday’s matchups is expected to influence tournament seeding for both programs. According to a news release, the No. 9-ranked Chaparrals enter the matchup with a 25-4 overall record and an 11-4 mark in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference. Howard College sits at 25-4 overall and 12-3 in conference play, holding a slim one-game lead over Midland, South Plains College, and New Mexico Junior College. With only one game separating the top four teams in the standings, Thursday’s result could swing Midland College anywhere from a share of the conference title to fourth place heading into the Region 5 Tournament scheduled for March 11–14 in Odessa. The WJCAC has been among the nation’s most competitive leagues this season, featuring five teams currently ranked in the NJCAA Division I Top 25 according to a news release.
Meanwhile, the Lady Chaparrals will wrap up their season looking to finish on a high note. Midland College enters the contest at 15-13 overall and 4-9 in conference play, while Howard College brings a 20-9 overall record and a 9-4 WJCAC mark into the matchup. The Lady Hawks are currently part of a three-way tie for second place in the conference standings, giving Thursday’s game added importance for postseason seeding according to a news release.
The news release noted that for the Midland women’s team, the finale also marks the final collegiate game for sophomore standouts Diana Szakolczi, Latisha Wilson and Sumaiya Ibrahim. The trio will be tasked with leading a freshman-heavy roster against a Howard squad fighting to secure favorable tournament positioning… With conference standings tightly packed and postseason play just days away, both matchups are expected to be highly competitive as Midland College looks to build momentum before the Region 5 tournament tips off next week according to a news release.
Midland College has secured multiple NJCAA national titles in golf and basketball as per its official website. The college contributes to community development by empowering students to enhance their local areas according to its official website. Over time, it has expanded its campus facilities through bond issues and donations as noted on its official website. Dr. Damon Kennedy leads Midland College as its president per its official website.