The two-time defending FCSAA/Region VIII Champions will open the 2022-2023 season on Tuesday at 7 PM inside the Milton H. Johnson Center. The Indians will take on the Eagles from Coastal Alabama - North Community College and admission is free.
The Indians are ranked #1 in the preseason Massey Ratings, #9 in the NJCAA Preseason Rankings, and tied for third in the preseason FCSAA Coaches' Poll.
Chipola returns just four players from the 2021-2022 team that made a second consecutive appearance in the NJCAA Final Four.
Deyton Albury, a 6'2 guard from the Bahamas, returns with the most experience, having played in 34 games a season ago and starting in five. Albury shot 52.4 percent from the floor and averaged 4.4 points per game.
Also returning for Coach Donnie Tyndall are Jatarion Warren, Cliff Davis, and Jamil Safieddine.
The Eagles were 8-20 a season ago and finished fifth in South Division of the Alabama Community College Conference. They are coached by Chuck Taylor who begins his third season. Forward Makhai Hesley is one of two returners for Coach Taylor. The Mobile, Alabama native started 25 of 28 games and averaged 6.6 points per game.
From Coach Tyndall:
"We are looking forward to tipping off our season against a very athletic and well Coached coastal Alabama team. We have had a very good week of practice and I know that all our guys are excited, especially our newcomers about playing in their first home game here at Chipola! We have been marketing and promoting this first home game since June and we are very hopeful that our entire city and our campus community come out in a big way for opening night as we try to #PacktheMilt"
Game Notes:
- Chipola is 29-2 in games at The Milt under Coach Donnie Tyndall. The Indians are 2-0 in season openers under Coach Tyndall, winning those games by an average of 17.5 points.
- Coach Tyndall added three new assistant coaches to his staff in the offseason. Lane Below, Jaren Harris, and JD Gledhill will coach their first game on the Chipola bench on Opening Night.
- Coach Tyndall and Coastal Alabama's head coach, Chuck Taylor, are longtime friends having grown up in Grand Rapids, Michigan together.
- Tuesday night's game is free to the public.