Best Win

RV Huntington

This is more of a series of wins then just one win, but the Foresters, were maybe one team sad to see 1st semester come to an end as they ended it with wins over #10 Indiana Wesleyan, #4 Arizona Christian and #15 Hope International. They also knocked off #21 Pikeville and a Morningside team that is leading the GPAC. The Foresters will now look to carry the momentum into a big 2nd semester!

Best Upset

#19 Montana Tech over D1 Montana

Debated on keeping this strictly NAIA vs NAIA wins, but the Tech kids led this one for 36 minutes and deserve another shout out!

Best Game

#10 Indiana Wesleyan vs #4 Arizona Christian

Maybe because it is still fresh on the mind, but this game, in particular, the final 10 minutes was fantastic! Two heavy weights, two title contenders, two teams who certainly look the part! Indiana Wesleyan came away with the win, but again, two very good teams!

Best Offense

Northwestern (IA)

Not just the highest scoring offenses (95.7ppg), but the most efficient as well (1.276 OEFF)! The Red Raiders boast two of the Top 3 scorers in the NAIA in Jesse Van Kalsbeek (29.6ppg) and Jalen Langsy (26.8ppg). It’s a fun team to watch and the Red Raiders can really fill it up!

Midseason MVP

Jesse Van Kalsbeek, Northwestern

As you read above, Jesse leads the NAIA in scoring at 29.6ppg. The 6’6 Sophomore also averages 12.4rpg, 5.5apg, 1.1spg. He has had three games with 40+ points, and hasn’t scored less than 21pts in a game yet this season.

Midseason Defensive MVP

Alex Sherwood, Ave Maria

Alex leads the NAIA in blocks with 39 on the season. He has had three games with five or more blocks and set a program record with 9 blocks vs Coastal Georgia. Sherwood is also averaging 9.7rpg.

Top Coach

Scott Moore, Grace

Grace, over the past two seasons, has lost 2024 National Player of the Year, Elijah Malone and Ian Scott, who finished 3rd in voting for NPOY last season. Juniors Ian Raasch and Gage Sefton continue to have big games for the top ranked Lancers, but Coach Moore and staff start a sophomore and two freshmen and most of the Lancer bench are underclassmen as well. The Lancers don’t have a single senior on the team yet sit 13-0 on the season! Coach Moore and staff have reloaded their team differently than most teams “reload” but it’s been a special team early who has answered every call!

Best Defense

Freed-Hardeman

Freed is known to be a great defensive team. It’s what led them to a National Title two seasons ago. The Lions have locked in early, leading the NAIA in defensive efficiency at .766. They also lead the NAIA in Defensive points allowed with 58.9ppg.

Midseason Pippen Award

Devontre Chaney, Georgia Gwinnett

Devontre has stuffed the stat sheets in his 1st semester in the NAIA. He averages 16.9ppg, 9.9rpg, 5.5apg, 1.9spg. He had a triple-double vs Spartanburg Methodist and has been a beast on both sides of the ball this season!

Top Onions Moment

Daylan Hamilton, Texas Wesleyan

Daylan is having a great season averaging 14.4ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.6apg. His biggest shot of the season though came in the 1st game of the season as the Rams knocked off a then Top 25 LSU Alexandria squad.

Top Sniper

Jalen Langsy, Northwestern

Jalen could shape shift into a lot of different categories. BUT, watching him shoot the rock is just pure beauty! Not only does Jalen have a great looking shot, but he is also shooting 50% from 3 and has already made 66 threes on the season. He has 8 games where he has made five or more threes. Big reason he sits third in the NAIA in scoring!

Top Team Riser

Benedictine – Mesa (AZ)

Benedictine sits at 15-0 on the season after being picked to finish sixth in the GSAC preseason poll. The Redhawks have Top 25 wins over Arizona Christian and Carroll and are just 1 of 2 undefeated teams left in the NAIA.

Midseason Rodman Award

Raymond Reece, Philander-Smith

Raymond leads the NAIA in RPG with 13.8 and has 11 games with double digit rebounds and only has three games where he hasn’t had a double-double. “The Manimal” as he is nicknamed, continues to show up in big games and is a beast on the glass!

Top Sophomore

Derek Fairley, Lourdes

Derek is one of the top scorers in the NAIA at 24.7ppg. He also averages 3.6apg, 3.6rpg and 1.5spg. The sophomore has 3 games of 30+ and is shooting 50% from the field.

Top Freshman

Gavin Betten, Grace

The 6’7 Freshman is 2nd in scoring for the Lancers with 13.1ppg. He also averages 5.2rpg. Gavin comes off the bench for the Lancers, but is shooting 66% from the field and 50% from 3. Big part of why the Lancers are 13-0 and ranked #1 in the NAIA Polls.

Best Dunk

Omar Henry, Langston

There have been a ton of great dunks throughout the season and Omar certainly has a few you could add to this list. Here are two nasty posters!