AAU Preview: NJ Soldiers- HGSL 2025 Team

The Soldiers have a history of putting together an elite roster and producing tremendous results. This year's roster represents some of the best in South Jersey, with players who found great success on their respective teams this past high school season. Coached by the accomplished and well-respected duo Keith and Jenessa Palek, this team looks to deliver an electric shock to it's opponents on the circuit this Spring & Summer! Let's further explore the HGSL 2025 team:   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Date</td><td>Event</td><td>Location</td></tr><tr><td>April 7-8*</td><td>NJ Warm-up, Total Turf</td><td>Pitman, NJ</td></tr><tr><td>April 21-23 (live period)</td><td>Select Events Spooky Nook</td><td>Manheim, PA</td></tr><tr><td>May 6-7*</td><td>NJ Showcase, Total Turf</td><td>Pitman, NJ</td></tr><tr><td>May 19-21 (live period)</td><td>Atlantic City Showcase</td><td>Atlantic City, NJ</td></tr><tr><td>June 3-4</td><td>Hoop Island, Develup Hoops (various locations)</td><td>Cape May County, NJ</td></tr><tr><td>June 24-25</td><td>Philly Summer Finale, CES</td><td>King of Prussia, PA</td></tr><tr><td>July 7-10* (live period)</td><td>NJ Live, Sportika</td><td>Manalapan, NJ</td></tr><tr><td>July 21-24* (live period)</td><td>Championship Weekend, AC Convention Center</td><td>Atlantic City, NJ</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">* - indicates HGSL Event</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='583712' first='McKenzie' last='Palek'] - Middle Township (2025)   McKenzie was Middle's x-factor all season long due to her all-around game and her ability to score, rebound, distribute and defend the ball. She played a significant role in the Panthers claiming the South Jersey, Group 2 title with her do-it-all skill-set. She brings to the table efficient mid-range scoring, a credible 3-point threat, terrific court positioning for rebounds, excellent court-vision for dime-dishing and scrappy defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='414340' first='Macie' last='McCracken'] - Wildwood (2025)   103 3-pointers. 647 points. Tri-County Conference Player of the Year. This season was one for the books for the sophomore out of Wildwood! She has crafty handles, a nice layup package and a stellar mid-range game, but where can can truly decimate opponents is from behind the arc. At times unconscious from 3 this past season, there wasn't a defender who could stop her from knocking them down. Couple that with her menacing defensive prowess and you have yourself a flat-out FEARLESS HOOPER!   [player_tooltip player_id='850498' first='Kieran' last='Brewster'] - Holy Spirit (2025)   Kieran's persistence on the court is what most teams wish they had. She's a player who never gives up on the play on both ends of the floor, especially defensively where she is disciplined and laser-focused. Offensively, she can drain the jumper for two or pull it out to 3-point land and bury the shot. Kieran is a talented player with a high basketball IQ and a lot of fight and determination which gives her an edge over opponents. The tighter the game gets, the more her confidence rises.   [player_tooltip player_id='414350' first='Nora' last='Ausland'] - Pennville (2025)   Nora spent the last two seasons at Salem and put in WORK: 462 points, 305 rebounds, 101 blocks and multitude of assists and steals. She is an incredible two-way player who is just as skilled offensively as she is defensively. At 5'11", she asserts herself nicely under the rim and aggressively crashes the glass, skying for rebounds over much taller defenders and emphatically rejecting shots that often draw audible gasps from the crowd. Her versatility allows her to play back-to-the-basket or pull it out behind the arc and drill the long ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='525308' first='Sabrina' last='Little'] - Holy Spirit (2025)   An explosive guard, Sabrina exhausts opponents with her quickness and efficiency. Her stellar defense forces a slew of turnovers and creates transition scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. She scored in double-figures twenty times this season for the Spartans, combining mid-range jumpers with beautiful layup finishes and showing off her lethal range from 3. Playing alongside Spirit teammate [player_tooltip player_id='850498' first='Kieran' last='Brewster'] will add immediate chemistry for this stacked Soldiers squad.   [player_tooltip player_id='794562' first='Riley' last='Odom'] - Middle Township (2026)   One of two players representing the Class of 2026, Riley will be sure to learn a lot from her more experienced teammates as the season progresses. And although a freshman, Riley possesses impressive qualities of great leadership and sportsmanship. She isn't afraid of the moment and she seizes the opportunity to efficient and be an effective and integral part of any team she plays on. She will be one of this team's x-factors as the AAU season heats up.   Reagan Flickinger - Wildwood Catholic (2025)   At 5'9", Reagan has great size to play what I refer to as "big-guard basketball." When her number was called upon for the Crusaders, she delivered! A breakout game against Bridgeton where she went off for 12 points (all produced from 3-point territory) gave us a glimpse of just how great she can be. Reagan's advantageous reach allows her to disrupt passing lanes and force a slew of turnovers that can lead to fast-break scoring.   [player_tooltip player_id='414395' first='Reese' last='Downey'] - Absegami (2025)   The Cape-Atlantic League First Team honoree comes into this AAU season riding a wave of confidence and momentum. She asserted her dominance over numerous teams and opponents this winter, putting up averages of 16.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 4.8 apg, 4.7 spg & 1 bpg. That should tell you everything you need to know about her dynamic all-court game! Reese's efficient offensive prowess is something to behold, as is her aggressive, hard-nosed defense. However, what doesn't show up on paper is her will to win and relentless pursuit of success.   Abbey Cappelletti - Middle Township (2026)   With fellow freshman [player_tooltip player_id='794562' first='Riley' last='Odom'] by her side, Abbey looks to grow her game this Spring and carry over that team chemistry the two shared for the Panthers all high school season long. She has nice range and will look to expand her perimeter shooting and develop her transition scoring using her impressive quickness and pace. Abbey also moves well without the ball and will look to further expand her off-ball movements and cuts playing alongside the stacked talent on this squad. Her basketball future is mighty bright!

The Soldiers have a history of putting together an elite roster and producing tremendous results. This year's roster represents some of the best in South Jersey, with players who found great success on their respective teams this past high school season. Coached by the accomplished and well-respected duo Keith and Jenessa Palek, this team looks to deliver an electric shock to it's opponents on the circuit this Spring & Summer! Let's further explore the HGSL 2025 team: