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WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Expectations are sky-high for Grace’s men’s basketball team as the squad eyes the start of the 2026-27 season.
The Lancers bring back one of the most experienced teams in the country. Grace returns 100 percent of its roster from last year’s 31-4 team.
Grace is eager to continue its championship streak as well. Since February 2022, the Lancers have won every trophy from the Crossroads League – a stretch including a league-record five straight CL Tournament titles and four regular-season championships in a row.
For Grace, their sights are set on yet another deep run in the NAIA National Championships. The Lancers have made five straight trips to the NAIA’s Sweet Sixteen – the longest active streak in the NAIA – as well as four consecutive Elite Eight appearances.
The NAIA has recognized the skill on Grace’s roster, placing the Lancers No. 1 in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Coaches’ Poll.
For head coach Scott Moore, now in his eighth season guiding the Lancers, the pressure from being the preseason No. 1-ranked team is something to embrace rather than shy away from.
“Being where we are right now is exactly where you want to be. But our understanding is – this is where we want to end the year,” Moore said. “Starting here is nice, but this is our goal for the finish line. The motivation is there. It gives us a standard to hold ourselves to throughout the year.”
Grace is led by senior wings Ian Raasch and Gage Sefton. The duo have combined to score more than 2,300 points over their remarkable careers.
Raasch is a world-class defender who also led Grace in scoring last year (14.1 points per game). Sefton is a physical wing whose combination of multi-level scoring and tough defense has developed him into a “national player of the year contender," according to Moore.
Two other seniors, including Caleb Herrold and Seth Martin, form a strong quartet of seniors. The group has been foundational to Grace’s success, in Moore’s eyes, due to their leadership off the hardwood just as much as their talent on it.
“This will be the hardest class we’ve ever had to replace in terms of team leadership and locker room presence. These guys have their fingerprints all over this program,” he added. “The seniors have been so impactful due to their selflessness; they are so unselfish and have always understood the bigger picture of what we are trying to accomplish.”
Grace started three underclassmen last year – two freshmen and one sophomore – alongside Raasch and Sefton.
Hunter Walston started every game and played the second-most minutes on the team in 2025-26. The junior is one of the most versatile members on the roster, showcasing the ability to play all five positions on the court.
Grady Carpenter ran the point guard position as a freshman last year, guiding one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Grace ranked No. 1 in the NAIA in assists, No. 3 in field goal percentage and No. 8 in points per game.
Cannen Houser, Cole Hayworth and Luke Bricker produce a wealth of options in the backcourt. Bryce Sefton, Ethan Hendrix and freshman Mydin Burgher give the guard rotation an enviable amount of depth.
The post position is filled with young, talented forwards. Tyler Raasch started every game as center last year as a rookie. The Second Team All-League player averaged 10.7 points per game, while also blocking 2.3 shots per game to collect All-Defensive Team recognition.
Similarly, his classmate Gavin Betten immediately flourished in the post rotation. Betten shot 60 percent from the floor, finishing third on the team in scoring with 12.6 points per game.
Michael Wellman has shown perhaps the most offseason improvement, in Moore’s estimation, despite already impressing as a freshman. Now in his second year, Wellman (8.9 ppg) is poised to take another leap as an all-purpose forward.
Isaac Schultz is another post who has proven to contribute each time he touches the floor; he has made over 65 percent of his field goals during his first two seasons.
The Lancers have enjoyed one of the best homecourt advantages in the country for small college basketball. Grace’s campus and community support has created capacity crowds on gamedays and an enthusiastic fanbase. Since 2022, Grace has won over 93 percent of its home games at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center (71-5).
Grace boasts a passionate fanbase to play in front of as well as a daunting place for visiting teams to play. But even more so, Moore was also thankful for the platform that has been provided for his players.
“I always want people to watch a game and leave going, ‘That’s Grace basketball.’ These guys play hard, they are unselfish, and they have joy for each other. And in that, they are reflecting Christ in their play,” Moore explained. “We have an opportunity and a privilege to use this game to hopefully show that reflection for two hours during a game. That’s a great challenge for us to make sure we are representing the right way as a program.”
The Lancers kick off the season at home on Friday, hosting IU Northwest at 7 p.m. Grace will also play at home on Nov. 4 (against Cornerstone) and Nov. 7 (against UNOH) in the team’s early-season home contests.
