Prep Network Holiday Special: Pulling Santa’s Sleigh

Sometimes I am jolly.

I am for sure old.

I am far from being a Saint.

I don't need a pillow to stuff under my red suit!

Ho, Ho, you guessed it, Santa Deck is coming to town.

This is a special holiday report, and it's a Free Report that features athletes from Prep Dig, Prep Redzone, and Prep Girls Hoops. It will be featured on all three of those Kansas sites!

If Santa Deck is making the rounds, he needs some reindeer to hitch his sleigh to. Here are nine athletes, three from each sport I scout. Each has the skills to pull a sleigh and ensure that all the nice kids, and naughty ones too, get their Christmas morning gifts.

You know Dasher ….

Will Voos, RB, 5'8”, 160, Sabetha, '26

So of course, I had to use a running back to play Dasher. Voos dashed his way to 1,259 rushing yards this season for Sabetha. He found the endzone 13 times during his senior season. He is ranked No. 545 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas. He was recognized as an all-state Class 2A running back by Sports in Kansas. He is shiftty and can dash through the hole like the great running backs that come to mind.

…. And Dancer …

Tinley Wilson Tinley Wilson 5'10" | OH Holton | 2027 State KS , 5'10”, OH, Holton, ‘27

This was the toughest reindeer position to pick. I have seen athletes with excellent dancing skills on gridiron, the parquet, and in the sand. I could have picked an athlete from any of the three sports that I scout to serve as the Dancer on this squad. I ended up choosing an athlete I have seen numerous times over the years, and that's Holton's Wilson. Wilson is a six-rotation player for the Wildcats. I have written about her statistical accomplishments over and over again, but never about all the kind words her teammates say about her. She is a leader in Holton, and I have heard that from many trustworthy people. She also seems like the kind of young lady who could square dance, breakdance, two-step, waltz, line dance, or break out the worm. There is nothing “tiny” about this Dancer's skills and personality. (Thanks, Elton John)

…. And Prancer

Alexis Hecht, 5'6”, SG, Wamego, ‘26

It only makes sense that Prancer will become a future Loper! Hecht is a multi-sport athlete, and the first athlete on this sleigh team recognized for her basketball skills. She has a frame made for jumping, and I have seen those jumping skills come into play on the volleyball court as well. She has verbally committed to Nebraska-Kearney to play basketball. She is ranked No. 15 overall by PGH in the Kansas Class of 2026.

…. And Vixen ….

Clara Morgan Clara Morgan 5'6" | S Shawnee Heights | 2027 State KS , 5'6”, S, Shawnee Heights, ‘27

I had to be really careful with this one; there are some female athletes, mothers, and fathers out there who would get upset if I referred to an athlete as a Vixen! However, Shawnee Heights' Morgan was a safe bet. I have been scouting Morgan for three-plus seasons, and she is a gifted and unselfish setter.  She is quick and has put in a ton of extra work to improve her defensive skills. She is playing club ball this season with the Manhattan Mayhem. She does play with an infectious energy and smile that her teammates appreciate. Morgan is ranked No. 32 overall in the Kansas Class of 2027 and is still an uncommitted prospect.

… Comet

Ashton Malm, WR, 5'11”, 170, McPherson, ‘27

Malm has blazing speed, but there is nothing about this kid's stock that is falling like a comet. The McPherson prospect has more than 90 receptions over the past two years. He has gained almost 2,000 yards and has 22 touchdown catches in that time.  He is ranked No. 18 overall by Prep Redzone Kansas in the Class of 2027. He has been chasing down scholarship opportunities like a hungry seal chasing a Christmas Cod.

…. and Cupid

Maddie Vickery, 6'1”, PF, Washburn Rural, ‘27

Vickery has the scoring skills to drive a dagger through the heart of an opponent with the same force as Cupid's arrow. (See what I did there?) Seriously, Vickery is one of the best high school basketball players I have crossed paths with in all my years, as a coach, sportswriter, and scout. She can throw up double-digit scoring and rebounding totals every night. I also don't think I have ever seen a high school athlete use social media the way I believe it was intended to be used. She has an impeccable work ethic and will do great things after high school. She is ranked No. 2 overall by Prep Girls Hoops and has verbally committed to playing round ball for the Kansas State Wildcats.

…  and Donner

Macayla Askew, 6'0”, SF, Derby, ‘26

I feel like Donner is the most underappreciated of all the reindeer. Yet, there is much about Askew's game that I appreciate. She is a grinder. She is a workhorse. She is the lead dog, and whatever other analogy or comparison you want to make. She is a double-double threat every time she takes the court. She can be as mean as a Panther, but also as graceful as a gazelle. She has a huge future in the sport of basketball. She is ranked No. 3 overall by Prep Girls Hoops Kansas.

… and Blitzen

Charlie Peek, LB, 6'1”, 195, Basehor-Linwood, ‘27

I need an impact linebacker pulling my sleigh. Peek was a blitzing and tackling machine for the Bobcats this fall. He finished his junior season with 115 tackles. He is solid in pass coverage, hunting ball carriers, or chasing down opposing quarterbacks.

… But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

Emmie Dean Emmie Dean 5'6" | OH/DS/L Jefferson West | 2028 State KS , 5'6”, OH/DS, Jeff West, ‘28

Dean is the lead reindeer on this team. She doesn't have a red nose, and there is nothing shy about her at all, like the TV Rudolph. She proudly waves her freak flag, as she has freakish skills on the volleyball court. She can hit, dig, and could set in a pinch. In a very similar fashion to Morgan, I feel like I have watched Dean grow into a dominant athlete.  She was born to be a leader. I have never discussed it with her, but I can easily see her as a teacher, coach, youth mentor, or really whatever she wants to be. She is ranked No. 8 overall by Prep Dig, and like the rest of the athletes in this report, I believe she can fly!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Happy New Year!