Kansas Class of 2026: The All-Deck Team
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Well, I am headed to the third inning and pitching a “No-No” through two. Over the past two days, I have featured All-Deck teams for the Kansas classes of 2024 and 2025. Next up in the batting order is the…
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Continue ReadingWell, I am headed to the third inning and pitching a “No-No” through two. Over the past two days, I have featured All-Deck teams for the Kansas classes of 2024 and 2025. Next up in the batting order is the Class of 2026.
To put together this squad, I used old-fashioned John Madden rules including only players I saw play in person. I also keyed in on the skills of each player, did not rely on overall stats, and did not consider the Prep Girls Hoops player rankings at all. There will be plenty of time during the coming months to digest the stats of hundreds of Kansas athletes and many opportunities for senior scout Robert Kelly to update future rankings.
As an ex-coach these are 10 athletes I would like to mold into a team of my own and how I would intend to utilize each player’s skills.
Stay tuned to PGH Kansas tomorrow for the final installment of this series as I put together an All-Star-worthy class of players who just finished their freshmen seasons.
Macayla Askew Macayla Askew 6'0" | SF Derby | 2026 State KS , 6’0”, SF, Derby
Askew gets my vote for the top player in the Kansas Class of 2026. She is a workhorse and can post a double-double each time she takes the court. The Derby Panther prospect is versatile and has the size and speed to play any of the five positions in an offense.
Justine Berlin Justine Berlin 5'11" | PF Clearwater | 2026 State KS , 5’11”, PF, Clearwater
Berlin is one of the best young posts I saw this season and I did not see many of them. She works hard to get solid rebounding position, has soft hands around the rim, and can play shutdown defense.
Maddie Gragg Maddie Gragg 5'11" | SG Seaman | 2026 State KS , 5’11”, SG, Seaman
I saw Gragg play three times this season and she put on a highlight show all three times. I am putting together a tall starting five and will have a bench loaded with guards on this squad. Gragg takes care of the ball and can play the 1-3 positions in an offense. She does not hesitate to shoot the ball and works hard to clean the glass.
Reianna Vega Reianna Vega 5'11" | SF Shawnee Heights | 2026 State KS , 5’11”, PF, Shawnee Heights
Vega is the beast in the paint for this group. I have said before, that I would like to see her add more physicality to her game, but she can run around and outjump several other posts in the paint. She would flourish in this lineup and is a player to watch as she evolves on the court.
Josie Carlgren Josie Carlgren 5'8" | SF Washburn Rural | 2026 State KS , 5’8”, SG, Washburn Rural
Carlgren gets the nod to be my primary starting ball handler, but it was a close call. She can shoot from deep. She made five 3-pointers in one game I scouted. She’s a solid-sized guard who would fit in well with this big starting five.
Mary Grant Mary Grant 5'8" | SG Bishop Miege | 2026 State KS , 5’8”, SG, Bishop Miege
Bishop Miege’s Grant can also convert from 3-point land and she would more than likely be my second starting guard when I want a smaller and quicker lineup.
Avery McCorry Avery McCorry 5'9" | SG Bishop Carroll | 2026 State KS , 5’10”, SG, Bishop Carroll
Carroll’s McCorry has a polished game well beyond her years. She makes quick decisions and is a solid passer. She can score when needed, but her main asset is her combination of speed and aggressive play. She could end up being the defensive stopper on this team.
Alex Crouse Alex Crouse 5'7" | PG St. Thomas Aquinas | 2026 State KS , 5’7”, CG, St. Thomas Aquinas
Crouse is my sharp shooter off the bench. She hit five 3-point field goals in the State Tournament game I scouted. If a team plays zone or just wants to let us shoot from deep, a backcourt including Crouse, Carlgren, and Grant would be unstoppable when they are hitting.
Ellie Bower Ellie Bower SG McPherson | 2025 State KS , 5’8”, SF, McPherson
Bower is the consummate team player who carries out the unnoticed tough tasks in a game such as setting screens, rebounding, diving for loose balls, and making crisp passes. She was one of my favorite players in the Class 4A State Tournament and I hope to see her play again next fall.
Lyndi Barton Lyndi Barton 6'0" | SG Wellington | 2026 State KS , 6’0”, SF, Wellington
Barton is a grinder and not afraid to draw contact. She is a solid free-throw shooter and is willing to fight for rebounds. She is my lone true post threat on the bench, but could easily earn starts over the other four bigs in my starting line-up.