(Charlotte, NC) - Waubonsee Community College's Men's Basketball team moved up three slots in the national rankings this week. Coach Lance Robinson's Chiefs (5-0) are ranked 17th in the latest NJCAA Division II poll. Waubonsee received votes for the top-30 nationally in the NJCAA's Pre-Season poll, and was slotted 20th in th week one poll. Two other Region 4 members are also in the rankings. South Suburban College (5-0) from South Holland, Illinois, last year's National Champion, is the top ranked team in the country. The Chiefs and Bulldogs are set to square off just before Christmas on December 20. Tip-off for the game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on the Bulldogs' court. In addition, Milwaukee Area (WI) Technical College (4-1) is currently ranked ninth nationally after starting out fourth overall. The Stormers and Chiefs are set to battle each other in the Chiefs' Erickson Hall Gymnasium later this month on November 29, beginning at 7:00 p.m. 

Robinson's crew is led by returning All-Region performer Joey Niesman who is averaging 16.4 points, seven rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.8 steals per game. Newcomer J. Caleb Slawinski is averaging 20.8 points and eight boards a game thus far, while shooting 67.2 percent (39 of 58) from the field. Sophomore guard Jaylyn Kelley provides the Chiefs' offense with a third option by averaging 15.2 points and 5.4 assists. Waubonsee's center, 6'10" Brice Langford adds 11 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.4 assist, Colton Schutt rounds out the Chiefs' starting lineup by also averaging double figures at 11.0 points-per-game to go along with 2.8 assists. Melo Garrick and Duane Doss have been key players off the bench as well.