In the third poll of the NJCAA basketball season, both Tyler Junior College basketball teams are ranked, the league office in Colorado Springs, Colorado, announced.

The Apache Ladies, who were in the preseason poll, moved up from No. 22 to No. 18.

On the men’s side, the unbeaten Apaches moved into the rankings as the No. 22 ranked squad.

Both teams are on their Christmas break and will return to action in January.

The Apache Ladies, under coach Trenia Tillis-Jones, are 11-2 on the season and 3-1 in Region XIV Conference play. They will return to play on Jan. 4 in a noon contest with Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa, one of two teams to hand the squad a loss. TJC fell to NO-T, 75-72, on Nov. 19 in Oklahoma.

The 2017 game will be held at Wagstaff Gymnasium. The Apache Ladies return to conference play on Jan. 7, hosting Kilgore College in a 5:30 p.m. contest.

Gulf Coast (Florida) is ranked No. 1, followed by Odessa (Texas), Chipola (Florida), Shelton State (Alabama) and Trinity Valley.

Rounding out the top 10 are: No. 6 Seward County (Kansas), No. 7 South Plains (Texas), No. 8 Hutchinson (Kansas), No. 9 New Mexico and No. 10 Salt Lake (Utah).

Other Texas teams ranked include: No. 13 Midland and No. 24 Kilgore College.

The Apaches, under coach Mike Marquis, are 10-0 on the season and 3-0 in Region XIV. They return to play on Jan. 3 against Houston Community College. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at Wagstaff Gymnasium. TJC gets back into Region XIV play on Jan. 6, hosting Lee College in a 6 p.m. game.

South Plains is ranked No. 1, followed by Hutchinson, Georgia Highlands, Salt Lake and Moberly Area (Missouri).

Rounding out the top 10 are: No. 6 San Jacinto-Central (Texas), No. 7 Mineral Area (Missouri), No. 8 Eastern Florida State, No. 9 Walters State (Tennessee) and No. 10 Tallahassee (Florida).

Other Texas schools ranked include: No. 12 McLennan and No. 18 Odessa.

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