The All-Deck Team: PGH Kansas Preseason Squad

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I certainly miss the good old days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back when Magic Johnson, Karl Malone, and Hakeem Olajuwon led the Western Conference All-Stars against Michael Jordan, Isiah Thomas, and Larry Bird Eastern All-Stars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You could not pay me to watch an NBA All-Star game now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since the age of nine, baseball has pretty much been my favorite professional sport, and the Major League Baseball All-Star game was an important date on the MLB calendar. It has always been my favorite of the professional league All-Star matchups, but even the shine on it is not as bright as it once was.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>However, this MLB season has reinvigorated my love for the game, and the All-Star game in Atlanta, Georgia, tomorrow should be a decent one. The starting pitching match-up between Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes would be worth the price of admission for this year's event. Plus, there are two Chicago Cubs outfielders (Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong) who will be in the starting lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The four-day break during the regular season also gives me a chance to catch my breath, look back at the season, and look ahead to the fall football and volleyball seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My role moving forward at PGH Kansas will be a limited one, but I still plan on writing a couple of reports a month during the offseason. During the next prep season, I will mostly write about players in Northeast Kansas and stay close to home, but I always like to try to make at least one winter road trip to Wichita.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Inspired by the MLB All-Star game, here is a preseason All-Star squad of players I hope to get to see during the next prep season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I published two similar reports on Prep Redzone Kansas and Prep Dig Kansas this morning that I hope you will check out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anyone needing a new subscription to any of the three sites can use the Coupon Code <strong>Deckard30 </strong>to save 30 percent off a new subscription. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This report differs from my other reports as I limited those to just the Class of 2026. This report features three athletes, each from the 2026-2028 classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Feel free to email varsity schedules for next season at deckscoutks@gmail.com, and I will begin planning which games I intend to scout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["719101"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6872b220a772f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Derby is a team I have a ton of respect for, and if I make a trip to the Wichita area, it most likely will include a Panthers' game. Askew is the No. 3-ranked athlete in the Kansas Class of 2026 and one I am very familiar with. She is a grinder who has the skills to register a double-double each time she steps on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["481452"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6872b220a77c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">So I have had a bittersweet time trying to scout Wamego the past couple of seasons. Player injuries and bad weather have canceled expected trips to the fine Northeastern Kansas town the past two seasons. Hecht is ranked No. 15 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. She recently verbally committed to play basketball for the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers. I hope to see her and the Red Raiders at least once this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773206"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6872b220a7834"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I first saw Herman at the state tournament last season in Emporia. She is a gritty athlete who can drop buckets for days. She is ranked No. 26 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. I have not seen the Broncos play during the regular season, but there is an outside chance I could catch a game during the 2025-2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["671505"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6872b220a789a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Washburn Rural is the second closest high school to my house in Topeka, so it's easy to catch Vickery in action. She is ranked No. 2 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027 and has verbally committed to playing at Kansas State University. She is very disciplined about posting updates of her workouts and games on X, so I feel like I get to see her a ton. It's worth the time to see her play, as she is extremely skilled and can score from three levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["936077"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6872b220a7900"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If I catch Derby in action, not only do they have an All-Star performer in the Class of 2026, but also in the Class of 2027. Fox is ranked No. 15 overall by Prep Girls Hoops Kansas. Like Askew, she is willing to do just about anything it takes to win a basketball game. She is a step or two quicker than Askew, but not quite as physical. She is a plus-ball handler and an athlete to keep tabs on moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["779243"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6872b220a7963"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I have seen the Cyclones play basketball. I have scouted their volleyball team a couple of times. Askins-Dieterich is a big-time scorer that I have followed on MaxPreps. She is ranked No. 21 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027. Ottawa is a solid 45-minute drive from Topeka, and I don't drive at night as often as I used to, but maybe I will catch them during a tournament somewhere. The Ottawa combo guard is on my short list of players I want to see for the first time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899198"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6872b220a79c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Boss had one of the most impressive freshman seasons I can remember in Kansas. She can score from all over the court, is willing to rebound, and enjoys playing defense. She is ranked No. 3 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028. She has a competitive drive and an infectious energy on the court. I hope I get to see "The Squirrel" every year she plays ball, just to see how she continues to grow and evolve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898363"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6872b220a7a26"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another athlete coming off a solid freshman season is known as "Diesel." Caryl is a dangerous post player who is physical and plays a rough-and-tough style of ball. In ways, she reminds me of WWE's Ivey Nile. She is ranked No. 4 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028. I saw her play a couple of times last season, and Topeka High has one of the better gyms in Topeka for watching basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["898858"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6872b220a7a87"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schmidtelin is a multi-sport prospect with natural athleticism. Her game is more artistic than Boss's or Caryl's, but she is not afraid to get physical and mix it up inside. She is ranked No. 5 overall by Prep Girls Hoops Kansas and No. 1 by Prep Dig Kansas in their respective Class of 2028 rankings. Hayden is a convenient team for me to scout and one that, once again, should be quite talented. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->