OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – For the fourth time in the five-year tenure of Johnson County Community College head men's basketball coach Rand Chappell, the Cavaliers have been picked as the preseason favorite to win the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Division II title. The poll is voted on by the seven conference coaches. 

In a tightly contested poll that saw the top two team separated by a total of two points, JCCC was picked first ahead of Kansas City Kansas Community College. Johnson County received 61 total points with five of eight possible first place votes and three second place votes. KCKCC tallied three first place and five second place votes to finish with 59 points. 

Highland Community College was picked to finish third followed Allen Community College, Fort Scott Community College, Neosho County Community College, Hesston College and Labette Community College. 

Chappell has amassed 101 wins in his first four seasons, the most of any of the previous five coaches in program history. He stands 101-25 good for an .802 winning percentage. For his career he has amassed a 157-62 (.717) record over seven seasons coaching at the NJCAA level and is 459-228 (.668) over his 22-year college coaching career. 

Chappell's tenure at JCCC boasts four straight winnings seasons and three consecutive 20-win campaigns, three NJCAA D-II Tournament appearances (2021, 2023, 2024), three Region VI/Plains District titles (2021, 2023, 2024) and two KJCCC D-II tiles, one outright (2021, 2023). His teams have been ranked nationally in 47-of-58 polls (81%) including a span of 32 straight from January 19, 2021 to November 28, 2022. His teams have also been ranked in the top 10 in 30-of-58 polls (52%) and in the top 5 in 17-of-58 polls (29%). 

In four seasons at JCCC, Chappell has coached four NJCAA All-Americans, 12 All-Region VI performers, 12 All-Jayhawk Conference picks, one MVP selection, two conference Defensive Players of the Year, one conference Newcomer of the Year and one Freshmen of the Year selection. In addition, he has one player who scored over 1,000 points over his career.  Off the court, Chappell has had four student-athletes earn NJCAA All-Academic honors. 

Chappell returns three players who saw action last season, 6-5 forward Brandon Mann (Tulsa, Okla.), 6-4 guard Mauryon Turner (Milwaukee, Wis.) and 6-8 forward Traeger Rader (Eudora, Kan.). Man was a key starter for last year's team averaging 13. 3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists. Those numbers earned him All-Region 6/Plains District and All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Division II third-team.  Turner saw action in 28 games and averaged 3.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist., and Rader averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds over 29 games played.

Chappell has added 12 newcomers to his 2024-25 roster, however, five are sophomore transfers who have experience playing at the collegiate level. 

Chappell also has a new face sitting next him on the sidelines this season. Taylor Jones was added to his staff in July. He brings extensive experience coaching and playing college basketball. 

The Cavaliers will open the 2024-25 campaign on Friday, November 1, when they host Baker University JV at 6 p.m.