The Four Freshmen Of The Apocalypse (FREE REPORT)
In this article:
When I was a kid, I would run around the small Kansas town I lived in, throwing up four fingers and "WOOOOOOing" down the street.
I am dating myself, but I grew up watching Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson, and Tully Blanchard; "The Four Horsemen" of professional wrestling.
The only Kansas prep class for which I did not make an All-Deck Team after the season was the Class of 2029. I didn't get to see many freshmen compete in the varsity matches that I scouted.
Over the past two weeks on Prep Dig Kansas, I have featured reports on the various stat leaders from the classes of 2026 and 2027. However, before I continue to do the same for the classes of 2028 and 2029. I wanted to show some love to four freshmen who had outstanding first seasons, and pay my respects to some of my childhood heroes.
I have seen all four of these freshman play for either their prep or club teams. I primarily scout 15U and 14U teams during the club season. Chances are, I might catch these four athletes play somewhere over the next four months.
If I were facing an apocalypse, here are the four Kansas freshmen I would want riding with me.
You can call me J.J. Dillon, because it will be my job to manage and wrangle these four freshmen with frightening skills.
Is it just me, or do you hear Ghost Riders In The Sky playing in your head now?
Livermore is the "Limosine Riding, Jet Flying, Kiss Stealing, Whealing and Dealing" star among these four. The current No. 1-ranked freshman by Prep Dig, Kapaun's Livermore, is my World Champion Ric Flair. She can set or hit, but for this squad, she will be my flashy outside. During her freshman season, she recorded 298 kills, 217 assists, and 194 digs for the Class 5A State Tournament Qualifying Crusaders. The sky is high for this young talent, but if she starts coming to the court with the theme from 2001 Space Odyssey playing in the background, don't blame me.
Highlights
Deeter, much like Arn Anderson, will be this group's enforcer. She is tough as nails. I first saw her play for her 14U Club Team, so I had big expectations for her heading into her freshman prep season. She did not disappoint me or anyone at Jefferson West. She finished with 244 kills and 51 blocks in 87 sets played for the Tigers. She can jump, is strong, and plays with a little bit of a mean streak, which I absolutely approve of. Deeter is ranked No. 2 overall in the Kansas Class of 2029.
Highlights
Perine unofficially led all Kansas Freshmen in assists with 982 in 103 sets played. She is the Tully Blanchard of this group. First, because she is the shortest of the group, as was Tully. She is also a sparkplug leader who can lead from the front or the back. She can win singles titles or tag titles. She helped lead Rossville to an appearance in the Class 2A State Tournament, where the Dawgs were unable to knock off the unbeaten Ellinwood Eagles (The American Dream Dusty Rhodes Team). "If You Will." Perine finished her freshman season with 288 digs, 61 kills, and 20 blocks. She is ranked No. 3 overall by Prep Dig Kansas.
Highlights
Last, but certainly not least, is Beloit's Channell playing the role of Ole Anderson. Although she is not a grizzled old veteran like Ole, she did, however, have to step up and become a leader right away for a young Trojan squad, which battled with injuries this season. She finished her freshman campaign with 288 assists, 141 kills, and 110 digs. She is a versatile athlete who is a six-rotation prospect in the making. She is a grinder and is willing to put in the extra work to help her team succeed. Like the original Four Horsemen, I will try to keep Channell off the mic! She is ranked No. 6 overall in the Kansas Class of 2029.
