MISHAWAKA, Ind. ---The Bethel Men's Basketball Team takes the Gates Gymnasium floor tonight at 7 PM. The Pilots will face next door neighbor, Holy Cross College, for their season opener.
The Saints currently stand at 2-0, following victories over East-West (86-58) and Andrews University (75-64).
Six new Pilots will make an appearance in Bethel Blue for the first time:
Mason Bales,
Sam Wellman,
Josiah Ball,
Carter Kent, Wes Ward, and
Kosta Grubor.
The following player information was compiled and written by Regional Radio Sports Network:
Mason Bales (6-2, Northridge High School)
As a senior, Bales averaged 14 points, five rebounds, 4 assists, and three steals per game for the Raiders.
- IBCA All-State recipient
- Scored over 1,000 career points playing for Head Coach Scott Radeker
- The Raiders went 21-4 last season and over the course of his three seasons, the varsity team went 54-21
- Father Ryan Bales was a three-time all-conference selection and was a NAIA and NCCAA All-American at Bethel. Ryan scored 1,759 points and handed out 581 assists in leading the Pilots to two NAIA titles in 1997 and 1998. The 1999 Pilots made it to the national title game as well before suffering a loss.
Sam Wellman (6-2, Portage High School)
In his senior season, Wellman averaged 10.4 points per game, alongside 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Indians (20-6).
- Played for head coach Bryon Clouse and helped the Indians win their first sectional title since 2001
- In addition to being a member of the golf team he excelled in the classroom with a 3.8 GPA
- Post Tribune Honorable Mention All-Area
Josiah Ball (6-6, Maconaquah High School)
Under the direction of Head Coach Johns Burrus, the Braves went 21-6 and earned a trip to the semi-state where they lost to eventual state champion South Bend St. Joseph. In his previous three seasons, he helped the Braves to a 52-15 record.
- Averaged 28.7 point per game (No. 3 in the state) Shot 48% from the field, 83% from the charity stripe, and 34% from three-point range. In addition to his seven rebounds per game, two rebounds and two assists per game, he knocked down 44 triples his senior season
- Hoosier Basketball Magazine top 60 seniors list
- Maconaquah's all-time leading scorer
- A 2,000 point scorer
- Kokomo Tribune All-Area and Most Valuable Player
- Also ran track for the Braves
Carter Kent (6-1, Jennings County High School)
Averaged 24.6 points, 6.6 assists and 7.9 rebounds per game for the Panthers. Finished the season as the No. 8 leading scorer in the state.
- Shot 48 % from the field, 83 % from the free throw line and hit 53 triples his season
- Played for Head Coach Michael C. McBride. Team finished the year with a 12-15 record
- The Columbus Banner Republic Boys Basketball Player of the Year for 2024 and 2025
- First Team All-Hoosier Hills Conference
- Won two sectionals and one regional championship
- IBCA All-State
- Hoosier Basketball Magazine Top 60
Wes Ward (6-8, Tri-West Hendricks High School)
Averaged 8.4 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game and added 2.7 blocked shots per contest.
- Ward shot 58% from the field for Head Coach Tommy Strine. The Bruins went 18-7 last season.
- First Team All Sagamore Athletic Conference
Kosta Grubor (6-5, The Bright School)
Grubor hails from Belgrade, Serbia where he attended Deveta Beogradska Gimnazija. Additionally, the 6-5 Guard / Forward played for the BKK Radnicki Serbian Team.
- Grubor attended The Bright School (located in Putnam, CT), while playing under Coach Brian Stasaitis.
- Grubor studies Business Management at Bethel University.
- With the BKK Radnicki (2023-2024), Grubor appeared in 10 games, for a total of 142 minutes, racking up 14 assists alongside 57 points.
For more information about Bethel Pilots Athletics, check out bupilots.com or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or X by searching @bupilots or #TheRightWayToPlay.
