Round two of WJCAC schedules loom for No. 1 Texans, Lady Texans

LEVELLAND - The first round of Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) games are in the books for both the Texans and Lady Texans and both control their own destiny heading into next month's Region 5 basketball tournament in Lubbock. Round two of the league schedule begins Thursday when SPC hosts Midland College at the Texan Dome for Homecoming. Lady Texans tip at 5:45 p.m. and the Texans are scheduled for 7:45 p.m. A brisket dinner will be available from 5-6:30 p.m. in an effort to 'Pack the Dome.' Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under and can be purchased up entering the Texan Dome. Admission includes both games, meal, and one chance to win a flat screen television.

The Texans have been the top-ranked team in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) since being voted to the top spot January 24. They are sporting an unblemished record of 22-0 overall as well as 7-0 in conference play and hold a two-game lead over Odessa College and Howard College in the WJCAC standings. South Plains holds a three-game lead over Thursday night's opponent Midland College.

South Plains took care of business when they opened WJCAC play at Midland on January 16 with a 70-54 victory that snapped a 7-game losing streak to the Chaps. 

Midland (16-5, 4-3), however, is in a fight for their lives as they are currently tied with New Mexico (16-7, 4-3) for the fourth and final play-off spot. The Chaps fell to No. 14 Odessa 78-65 Monday night.

Counting only the seven league games played, South Plains averages nearly seven points more per contest than the next best team with 83 points per game and rank second in scoring defense allowing only 66 points. Midland ranks fourth in scoring offense and fifth in defense, averaging 69 points per game in both categories.

The Texans have three players averaging 10 or more points during conference play, led byMarshall Henderson with 17.7. Sophomore Stanton Kidd has ratcheted up his game during the conference season and is scoring a little more than 14 per contest, while Yanick Moreirachips in with 10.5 and also adds a menacing defensive presence in the paint. South Plains has also received significant help off the bench from sophomore Greg Gainey who has scored 30 points over the last two games. Malcolm Miller has been steady all season long with just under 10 points per game.

After a rocky start to the season the South Plains College Lady Texans (6-16, 3-3) seem to have righted the ship somewhat and own the fourth and final spot in the WJCAC standings with a one game lead over Howard College (15-8, 2-4). They enjoyed an off day Monday and will enter Thursday's showdown with Midland coming off back-to-back victories for the first time all season with wins over Howard and Western Texas.

Midland (18-6, 4-2) sits one game ahead of the Lady Texans and was dropped by Odessa College 70-66 Monday night. South Plains fell to the Lady Chaps 68-50 January 16.

Midland has a significant height advantage over SPC with six players standing 6-feet-1 or taller. However, dismal shooting is what doomed the Lady Texans last time out as they were nearly even with Midland in the rebounding category.

South Plains is also receiving help from others as Stephanie Moore, Raely Parada, andSydney Hearn have stepped up to help lessen the load on conference scoring leader Ashley Roberts.

The crew from SPC TV will call the courtside action for the live video at www.spctexans.com. HPRN's Michael Wiiest will call the action locally on KLVT 1230 AM and www.klvtradio.com.