Houston High School coaches selected eight athletes they believe will define HHS sports during the 2025-2026 school year.
Here’s a look at those athletes:
FOOTBALL
Mason Dodson
As a junior in 2024, Dodson was a main piece on both sides of the football for Houston, playing on the offensive line and at linebacker. He led the team in tackles last season with 99.
Head coach Eric Sloan will move Dodson to tight end on offense in the upcoming 2025 season.
“He’s a super good athlete and understands the game of football,” Sloan said. “He’s very physical and wants to be good. He works very hard in the weight room and is one of our strongest kids.
“In the past, he’s been sort of a lead-by-example guy, but he’s taking more of a leadership role now and he’s always doing the extra stuff. Kids see that, and they’re right there with him.”
In the spring, Dodson was the high-points scorer for the HHS boys track team and won the SCA championship in javelin.
VOLLEYBALL
Kayla Wagner
Wagner returns for her fourth and final year as a starter for the HHS volleyball team. A reigning unanimous first team All-SCA selection and first team all-district player, Wagner led the Lady Tigers with 394 kills in 2024 while also amassing 275 assists, 312 digs and 37 aces.
Wagner began her career as a setter before last year playing dual roles as both a setter and attacker.
“Kayla is such a well-rounded player,” HHS volleyball coach Julia Sloan said. “She has a high volleyball IQ and an intense commitment to the team as a whole. She is one of our captains, and we look to her as one of our leaders.”
CROSS COUNTRY
Lyla Huffman
Huffman will be a freshman this fall, after a highly successful run at the middle school level where she posted wins in numerous races and won a state championship as a 7th-grader.
She struggled at times last year as she was plagued with two fractures in her foot, but has looked strong in summer workouts.
Head coach Justin Brown expects her to have little trouble transitioning to longer races and stronger fields at the high school level and figures she’ll have an immediate impact, and help compensate for the graduation of team leader Kristen Ely.
“The girls team looks to Lyla to continue a successful girls program since losing Kristen after this last season,” Brown said. “Lyla looks to turn the page on a fresh start coming into high school this year. She’s really been working hard on strength training to get her body prepared for this upcoming season.
“She’s run a few races over the summer and looks ready to bring it this season!”
BOYS BASKETBALL
Caden Guerra
Guerra will be one of only two or three seniors expected to be on Houston’s roster in the 2025-2026 season – including four-year starting point guard DJ Riley.
He started on several occasions last season, and will play a key role for the Tigers in his final season with the team.
Head coach Dan Narancich said he noticed improvement in Guerra’s play and demeanor during summer competition and workouts.
“I think his leadership will shine this year for us on the court and in practice,” Narancich said. “His defense and shooting will also play a big role this season.”
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Gracyn McNiell
McNiell returns for her senior campaign on the hardwood as a two-year starter who has earned back-to-back all-conference honors as well as a spot on the Class 3 all-district team as a junior. Despite being undersized, she led HHS in rebounding with 7.5 boards per game last season while also scoring 10 points per game.
McNiell is a three-sport athlete – starting also for the volleyball and softball teams – and the past two years was named the HHS female athlete of the year.
“Gracyn is probably the most coachable and consistent player I’ve had the pleasure of coaching,” said Lady Tigers basketball coach Micah Lee. “She works hard every minute of every game, and I am expecting her to help lead our team this year.
“She is central to our offense and defense. She is versatile and plays with grit. She will be providing a huge presence in the paint, looking to score and rebound, but we also trust her to step out for the 3. I am expecting a big senior year for her.”
BASEBALL
Aaden Scantlin
Now a senior, Scantlin (who plays second base and pitches) had a fine junior season in which he earned several postseason honors, including Class 3 All-State Second Team, All-South Central Association Conference First Team, and All-District.
He led the Tigers in batting (.524), hits (34) and runs scored (23), and was a key piece in the team’s pitching rotation, going 3-4 in 36 1/3 innings pitched, allowing 34 hits and only 14 earned runs while striking out 52 and walking 19.
HHS head coach Brent Hall expects Scantlin to be a leader when the Tigers take the field in 2026.
“He’s very athletic and versatile,” Hall said, “and he hits for a high average and runs well.”
SOFTBALL
Katy Evans
During her junior season in 2025, Evans was an offensive juggernaut, setting a program record with 9 home runs, while also leading the team with a .528 batting average, a 1.139 slugging percentage and a 1.746 OPS. Hitting cleanup, she drove in 40 runs and scored 38, and 24 of her 38 hits went for extra bases.
Newly-hired HHS softball head coach Conaley Aaron said Evans (who will play collegiately at East Central College in Union, Missouri), has a rare blend of power and precision that makes her a complete offensive player. She will be the anchor of the Lady Tigers’ offense in 2026.
“Katy has set the bar high – sky-high – for her senior year,” Aaron said. “Whether it is hitting for power, driving in runs or getting on base, Katy does it all at a level few have reached.”
TRACK AND FIELD
Adyson Dailing
Dailing had a breakout season as a sophomore in 2025, posting the highest individual points total for the Lady Tigers.
During the campaign, she won the Class 3 District 5 championship in the 300-meter hurdles and set a school record in the event at an earlier meet. She qualified for the state meet by finishing third in the 300-hurdles at the sectionals meet, and posted high finishes on several occasions in the 100-meter hurdles and 100-meter dash. She even ran legs in school-record performances in the 4×100 and 4×400 relays.
Head coach Mike Tottingham looks for Dailing to pick up where she left off when the 2026 season arrives next spring.
“Adyson is a super versatile athlete that excels at any sprinting or hurdles event,” Tottingham said. “She is also a very good long jumper, giving our team a lot of options when we are trying to maximize our team scoring.
“Adyson was one of the best athletes in the area last season and I look forward to seeing her continue and improve on that success next year.”