Youth can be both a positive and a negative in the sport of basketball.

Teams without much senior leadership can make mental mistakes and often don't have the experience to understand the rigors of a long college season.

On the other hand, youthful teams often have no fear and don't understand that bigger, stronger, faster and more experienced teams are supposed to win.

This year's version of the Grace College men's basketball team will rely on youth to determine the outcome of the season. Head coach Jim Kessler knows that, even with just one senior and three juniors, his Lancers will be ready for the season when November rolls around.

"If a dog's going to bite, it's going to bite when it's a pup," Kessler said. "I think we've got some dogs that will bite. These guys aren't afraid to take on somebody that's bigger than they are. They may get whooped, but they're going to come back and tangle again."

That's not to say that Kessler doesn't have leaders on this team. Of his four players that averaged at least nine points per game, three return. Three of his top five rebounders are back. His top shot-blocker and second-best assist man return. The names that go with those numbers could be easily recognized before the season ends.

Caleb Gilmer. Ben Tonagel. Dan Scharlach. Jeremy Swanson.

All four of those athletes played in every game last year. Barring injury, all four of them will make big contributions this year.

And Tonagel, Scharlach and Swanson are just sophomores. Gilmer is still only a junior.

But even with those returning players, Kessler has a team without a single all-conference player. It's the first time in recent memory that a Lancer basketball team is this green.

"We are totally an unproven team," Kessler said. "But I really believe that this team has the potential to write a new chapter in tradition with Grace College basketball if they follow through with what they're capable of doing."

Added to those four returning players are six others who have worn the Lancer uniform in competition before.

But there are also 10 others who have not, seven of which are freshman.

Names like junior Scott Trussell, who will play some point guard and who Kessler says is not afraid to be a vocal team leader and speak up.

Names like Shannon Brown, who's a 23-year old sophomore.

Names like true freshmen Matt Moore, Ryan Bricker, and Lawrence Burnett.

Those players will try to mesh together to become one well-oiled unit by season's end.

"We've got a broad blend of personalities," Kessler said. "Some are very strict, by-the-book type of guys and other guys are loose and free in how they see life.

"To put all of that together is the challenge that we have as coaches."

Kessler talks about how this year could be easier for him. Last year he struggled with who to play and when to play them.

"As a coach, it was frustrating because I didn't know how to play last year's team," Kessler said. "We searched, maybe too much frankly, and changed offenses. We never found the groove.

"When I would sub, I didn't know who to sub, because that player may or may not be playing well."

That could change this year because of the depth on this team. With 20 players, all capable of filling a role on this team, Kessler has numerous places to look. Of course, some faces will pop up more than others.

"There's probably eight men or so that are capable of being stars at the NAIA level of basketball," Kessler says. "Whether any of them become stars will be determined by how hard they work at it."

Work ethic, however, should not be a problem.

According to Kessler, this team practices hard and is noisier than almost any team he's ever coached. Plus, they've done the off-season work.

"This team worked harder over the summer (than last year's) as a whole," Kessler says. "I think they've set themselves up, deservedly so, for more success." [[In-content Ad]]