The Lady Chaparrals basketball team represents Lubbock Christian University and competes in the Lone Star Conference of NCAA Division II
History The Lady Chaparrals first season was in 1979-1980.
One of the Chaps first coaches was Larry Hays who coached in 1982-83 season going 8-9. During his one season coaching, he also coached the baseball team.
NAIA Success (2003-2013) Steve Gomez took over as head coach of the Lubbock Christian University (LCU) Lady Chaps basketball program in the 2003-04 season. Under his leadership, the team quickly became a dominant force in the NAIA, making 10 consecutive appearances in the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship Tournament.
During their NAIA tenure, the Lady Chaps compiled an impressive 234-96 record under Gomez. Notable seasons include the 2005-06 campaign, where they made an unprecedented run to the Fab Four of the NAIA National Tournament as the lowest-seeded team to reach that stage. They secured their first Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) regular-season championship in 2006-07 and repeated the feat in 2011-12, finishing as conference co-champions. LCU reached the NAIA National Championship Semifinals twice, in 2011-12 and 2012-13, with both runs ending against the eventual national champions.
Transition to NCAA Division II (2013-Present) LCU began transitioning to NCAA Division II in 2013, officially joining in 2015. The Lady Chaps continued their winning tradition, going 25-1 in their first year of transition (2013-14), including a perfect 20-0 record in the Heartland Conference. They followed up with a 21-7 record in 2014-15, sharing the Heartland Conference regular-season title.
The 2015-16 season was historic, as LCU went undefeated (35-0) in their first season eligible for NCAA postseason play. They captured the Heartland Conference regular season and tournament titles, won the South Central Regional, and claimed their first NCAA Division II National Championship. Coach Gomez was named WBCA NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year and served as a court coach for USA Basketball’s U17 World Championship Team Trials.
Sustained Success and National Titles
Despite a rebuilding year in 2016-17, LCU still reached the Heartland Conference Tournament final. They rebounded in 2017-18, winning another conference championship and advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight, finishing with a 31-2 record. The following year (2018-19), they secured their second NCAA Division II National Championship with a thrilling double-overtime win over Southwestern Oklahoma State.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted LCU’s 2019-20 season. They won the Lone Star Conference in their first year in the league and were set to host the South Central Regionals before the season was canceled. In 2020-21, the Lady Chaps overcame challenges to complete a second perfect season (23-0) and win their third NCAA Division II National Championship, making them the first program in the division to achieve multiple undefeated seasons.
Recent Years (2021-Present)
The Lady Chaps continued to be a powerhouse, surpassing an NCAA Division II record of 100 consecutive home wins during the 2021-22 season. They finished the year with a 28-7 record, falling in the South Central Regional final. The 2022-23 season featured five new starters and ended with a 24-11 record and a co-divisional title, further cementing LCU’s dominance at the NCAA level.
Roster
Individual Awards All Conference Awards +PlayerTeamOther AwardsNicole Hampton1st Team (2014, 2016)2016 Player of the Year (Heartland Conference)Emily Pool2nd Team (2014)Haley Burton1st Team (2015)Kellyn Schneider2nd Team (2015) 2015 Defensive Player of the Year 2016 Defensive Player of the YearTess Bruffey1st Team (2016, 2017, 2018)2015 Freshman of the Year (Heartland Conference) 2017 Player of the Year (Heartland Conference) 2018 Player of the Year (Heartland Conference) 2018 Defender of the Year (Heartland Conference)Kelsey Hoppel2nd Team (2016)Maddi Chitsey2nd Team (2018)Caitlyn Cunyus2nd Team (2018, 2020)Maddi Chitsey1st Team (2020)2020 Player of the Year (Lone Star Conference) 2020 Defensive Player of the Year (Lone Star Conference)Allie Schulte1st Team (2021, 2022) 2nd Team (2020)Ashton Duncan2nd Team (2021)Emma Middleton2nd Team (2021)Maci Maddox1st Team (2025) 2nd Team (2023, 2024) Grace Foster1st Team (2023, 2024, 2025)2025 Player of the Year (Lone Star Conference)Audrey Robertson2nd Team (2024, 2025)
Seasons +SeasonOverallConferenceStandingPostseason2006-200726-70-02007-200825-100-02008-200927-70-02009-201019-130-02010-201123-9-10-02011-201228-60-02012-201331-40-02013-201425-120-01stNot eligible for postseason play2014-201521-715-31st Not eligible for postseason play2015-201635-018-01st NCAA Division II Champions2016-201719-1112-42017-201831-214-01st NCAA Division II Elite Eight2018-201932-513-11stNCAA Division II Champions2019-202028-319-32ndLone Star Conference Tournament Champions NCAA Division II Tournament * 2020-202123-013-01stLone Star Conference Champions NCAA Division II Champions2021-202228-712-44thNCAA Division II Sweet 162022-202324-1116-62nd West DivisionNCAA Division II Sweet 162023-202421-1016-61st West DivisionNCAA Tournament 2024-202532-521-11st West DivisionNCAA Division II Elite 8
NCAA tournament results The Lady Chaps have appeared in 9 NCAA Tournaments, with a record of 25-4 and 3 National Titles
2016 #1 First Round Second Round Sweet 16 Elite 8 Final 4 Finals #8 Texas Womans #4 Angelo State #3 West Texas A&M #4 Florida Southern #1 Bentley #2 Alaska-Anchorage W 95-75 W 101-72 W 88-68 W 73-69 W 67-67 W 78-73 2018#1First Round Second Round Sweet 16 Elite 8 #8 Tarleton State #4 Angelo State #2 West Texas A&M #2 Central Missouri W 78-46 W 61-59 W 56-53 L 72-622019#3First Round Second Round Sweet 16 Elite 8 Final 4 Finals #6 Tarleton State #2 Colorado Mesa #4 Angelo Stat #2 North Georgia #1 Drury #2 Southwestern Oklahoma W 64-53 W 56-53 W 76-70 W 99-54 W 69-60 W 95-85 2020#1First Round #8 Angelo State Cancelled2021#1Second Round Sweet 16 Elite 8 Final 4 Final#5 Cameron #2 SW Oklahoma #8 Daemen #5 Central Missouri #3 Drury W 96-66 W 78-65 W 66-49 W 63-61 W 69-59 2022#3First Round Second Round Sweet 16 #6 CSU Pueblo #2 Texas A&M - Commerce #1 West Texas A&M W 65-57 W 69-67 L 59-542023#7First Round Second Round Sweet 16 #2 Texas Woman's University #6 Black Hills State #5 UT- Tyler W 62-55 W 66-48 L 67-64 2024#7First Round #2 Colorado Mesa L 68-61 2025#2First Round Second Round Sweet 16 #7 UC Colorado # 6 West Texas A&M # 6 Pittsburg StW 68-65 W 62-54 L 66-55
References