Lancers Searching For New Identity
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Dale [email protected]
There’s an open canvas and plenty of colors to choose from, but the artist – Kessler in this case – just isn’t sure how it’s going to turn out.
The possibility of a masterpiece is there, but only time will tell.
The Lancers open the season Friday when they host Concordia at 8 p.m. at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.
As Kessler looks for his 700th career win, his team will be searching for a new identity.
“Like Picasso, I’ve got an open canvas, plenty of colors to choose from and a vision,” said Kessler. “How it’s going to turn out, I don’t know.”
Last season, the Lancers – after losing their first five conference games – advanced to the championship game of the Crossroads League Tournament, falling to rival Bethel by two points.
After missing out on a bid for the NAIA national tournament in Branson, Mo., Grace hosted the NCCAA tournament at the MOCC and lost in the championship of that by two points to Point Loma Nazarene, ending the season with a 20-15 record.
Graduated from last year’s squad is 6-foot-6 All-American Greg Miller, a four-year starter who averaged 18 points and nine rebounds as a senior.
Also gone with graduation is frontliner Jared Treadway, who averaged six points and five rebounds per game.
“Last year, Greg Miller was our go-to guy,” said Kessler. “Everybody in the country knew Greg was our go-to guy. We don’t have Greg anymore. We have Logan (Irwin), but it’s hard for your point guard to be your go-to guy. We’re gonna need contributions from a lot of people.”
In his first season with the Lancers after transferring from NCAA Divison I Stetson University, Irwin averaged 13 points, five assists and three rebounds per game.
Also back for Grace is senior Niko Read (11 ppg) and juniors Brandon Vanderhegghen (9 ppg), Caleb Featherston (6 ppg) and Kyle Fillman (5 ppg).
“Niko is our most consistent shooter,” said Kessler. “Logan is going to be on the court a lot. Logan understands what we want, and his free throw shooting is much improved.
“Brandon Vanderhegghen could be the best sixth-man in the country,” continued Kessler. “If we could start six, he’d start. He’s great off the bench.”
Kessler figures his starting lineup will consist of Irwin, Read, Featherston, Fillman and 6-11 senior Dennis Williams.
Williams is back after missing last season with a foot injury.
The Lancers’ roster also includes senior Adrian Makolli, juniors Drew Perrin and Sam Daniels, sophomores John Swanson, Eric Miller and Tre Olive, and freshmen Austin Keisling, Stephen Halstead, Drew Schermerhorn, Mike Warren, Erik Bown and Chad Hoffer.
Hoffer is the same Chad Hoffer local hoops fans will remember being a standout at Tippecanoe Valley High School, whose prep career ended abruptly because of disciplinary reasons in 2008.
Now in his mid-20s, Kessler said Hoffer has been a hard-worker and is earning the respect of his teammates.
“Chad has done everything we’ve asked of him,” said Kessler.
As this season’s Lancers search for an identity of their own, Kessler says defense will be one of their strengths.
“We’re not the best shooting team in the country,” said Kessler. “We’re going to have to rebound and score buckets in transition. I think we could be a pretty good defensive team. We’ve got some guys that can get after you. Our on-the-ball defense is pretty good. Our off-ball defense is improving. I think we’ll be able to hold some teams under their scoring average.”
During the pre-season Crossroads League meeting, the Lancers were picked to finish fifth in the 10-team conference behind Indiana Wesleyan, Bethel, St. Francis and Huntington.
“If we can come together, and be willing to help each other, I think we could end up being a good team,” said Kessler.
After Friday’s season opener, the Lancers are right back at it Saturday, hosting Andrews University at 8 p.m.
Grace will host Lawrence Tech at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The Lancers open Crossroads League play Nov. 25 when they host Taylor University.[[In-content Ad]]
There’s an open canvas and plenty of colors to choose from, but the artist – Kessler in this case – just isn’t sure how it’s going to turn out.
The possibility of a masterpiece is there, but only time will tell.
The Lancers open the season Friday when they host Concordia at 8 p.m. at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center.
As Kessler looks for his 700th career win, his team will be searching for a new identity.
“Like Picasso, I’ve got an open canvas, plenty of colors to choose from and a vision,” said Kessler. “How it’s going to turn out, I don’t know.”
Last season, the Lancers – after losing their first five conference games – advanced to the championship game of the Crossroads League Tournament, falling to rival Bethel by two points.
After missing out on a bid for the NAIA national tournament in Branson, Mo., Grace hosted the NCCAA tournament at the MOCC and lost in the championship of that by two points to Point Loma Nazarene, ending the season with a 20-15 record.
Graduated from last year’s squad is 6-foot-6 All-American Greg Miller, a four-year starter who averaged 18 points and nine rebounds as a senior.
Also gone with graduation is frontliner Jared Treadway, who averaged six points and five rebounds per game.
“Last year, Greg Miller was our go-to guy,” said Kessler. “Everybody in the country knew Greg was our go-to guy. We don’t have Greg anymore. We have Logan (Irwin), but it’s hard for your point guard to be your go-to guy. We’re gonna need contributions from a lot of people.”
In his first season with the Lancers after transferring from NCAA Divison I Stetson University, Irwin averaged 13 points, five assists and three rebounds per game.
Also back for Grace is senior Niko Read (11 ppg) and juniors Brandon Vanderhegghen (9 ppg), Caleb Featherston (6 ppg) and Kyle Fillman (5 ppg).
“Niko is our most consistent shooter,” said Kessler. “Logan is going to be on the court a lot. Logan understands what we want, and his free throw shooting is much improved.
“Brandon Vanderhegghen could be the best sixth-man in the country,” continued Kessler. “If we could start six, he’d start. He’s great off the bench.”
Kessler figures his starting lineup will consist of Irwin, Read, Featherston, Fillman and 6-11 senior Dennis Williams.
Williams is back after missing last season with a foot injury.
The Lancers’ roster also includes senior Adrian Makolli, juniors Drew Perrin and Sam Daniels, sophomores John Swanson, Eric Miller and Tre Olive, and freshmen Austin Keisling, Stephen Halstead, Drew Schermerhorn, Mike Warren, Erik Bown and Chad Hoffer.
Hoffer is the same Chad Hoffer local hoops fans will remember being a standout at Tippecanoe Valley High School, whose prep career ended abruptly because of disciplinary reasons in 2008.
Now in his mid-20s, Kessler said Hoffer has been a hard-worker and is earning the respect of his teammates.
“Chad has done everything we’ve asked of him,” said Kessler.
As this season’s Lancers search for an identity of their own, Kessler says defense will be one of their strengths.
“We’re not the best shooting team in the country,” said Kessler. “We’re going to have to rebound and score buckets in transition. I think we could be a pretty good defensive team. We’ve got some guys that can get after you. Our on-the-ball defense is pretty good. Our off-ball defense is improving. I think we’ll be able to hold some teams under their scoring average.”
During the pre-season Crossroads League meeting, the Lancers were picked to finish fifth in the 10-team conference behind Indiana Wesleyan, Bethel, St. Francis and Huntington.
“If we can come together, and be willing to help each other, I think we could end up being a good team,” said Kessler.
After Friday’s season opener, the Lancers are right back at it Saturday, hosting Andrews University at 8 p.m.
Grace will host Lawrence Tech at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The Lancers open Crossroads League play Nov. 25 when they host Taylor University.[[In-content Ad]]
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