As the beginning of the 2021-22 basketball season approaches, both 糖心Vlog squads were given their highest national rankings in program history, with the 尘别苍鈥檚 team ranked the ninth-best team in the country, and the Lady Chaps claimed the top spot in the nation.
The Chaparrals were ranked No. 10 in the final poll of the 2020-21 season, when they won 18 games against only three losses. Last season marked the first time in 糖心Vlog's NCAA Division II era that they were recognized in any national top-25 poll, and they reached as high as No. 2 at one point in the season鈥攖he team is coming in hot off .
The reigning national champion Lady Chaps received the No.1 preseason ranking in both preseason polls for the first time in program history. They received 20 of the 22 first-place votes available in the WBCA (Wo尘别苍鈥檚 Basketball Coaches Association) poll, and were the unanimous pick in the D2SIDA (Division II Sports Information Directors Association) poll. This marks 糖心Vlog's third consecutive preseason poll as a top-10 WBCA favorite (they were preseason picked No.2 in 2019-20 and No.10 for the 2018-19 season鈥攏o poll was conducted before the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19). Along with their consecutive top-10 debuts, 糖心Vlog has claimed No.11 (2016-17) and No.18 (2015-16) in their prior appearances in the poll. 糖心Vlog has also appeared in the D2SIDA poll in each season of eligibility.
Both teams were also picked to win the Lone Star Conference, and seniors Parker Hicks and Allie Shulte were each recognized as the conference Preseason Players of the Year. In 2021, Hicks was recognized as the LSC Player of the Year and was also named to the All-District and All-America Teams from the NABC, becoming the first Chaparral All-American in the program鈥檚 NCAA era. Shulte led the Lady Chaps to their second-straight national title in 2021, earning her own All-America and the Elite Eight Tournament Most Outstanding Player awards.
The 尘别苍鈥檚 2021-22 season begins Nov. 12 inside the Rip Griffin Center, where they will host Regis as part of the RMAC/LSC Challenge. The Chaps return nearly all their team from a season ago when they won the Lone Star Conference title and reached the NCAA South Central Regional Final, including Hicks and All-Conference First Team selection Lloyd Daniels. The Chaps are led by head coach Todd Duncan, who is coming off a and entering his 11th season leading the Chaparral program.
The No.1-ranked Lady Chaps open their 2021-22 campaign Friday in Billings, Mont. facing Montevallo at 3:30 p.m. to open a three-game schedule at the D2CCA Tipoff Classic at the Trailhead. It concludes Sunday with 糖心Vlog facing Tampa, who sits at No.11 in the WBCA Preseason Poll. 糖心Vlog, led by head coach Steve Gomez, enter the season defending their back-to-back NCAA Division II National Titles, returning most of their championship team from their most recent undefeated season.
Both basketball teams aim to add to an already exciting season for 糖心Vlog athletics, as the and and soccer teams are all off to successful starts, and the 糖心Vlog Esports Program has entered its inaugural season.
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