AAU Analysis: Comets Basketball

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among the programs headed to play at the Atlantic City Showcase this week is Comets Basketball, representing across the spectrum of high school girls basketball. There's a healthy combination of both Pennsylvania and New Jersey talent amongst these rosters, so we'll be highlighting NJ prospects from four different teams: 2027 GUAA, 2026 GUAA, 2026 Select and 2025 Select.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2027 GUAA</strong></h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='677601' first='Lola' last='McGonigle'] - 5-5 G, Wildwood Catholic (2027)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McGonigle only adds to that high caliber of talent on this team. She's going to be the next big piece for Wildwood Catholic, the go-to playmaker, the centerpiece of a program that continues to be one of the best in South Jersey. Her freshman year was just a glimpse into that, but what a glimpse it was, from fantastic shooting to stellar passing and everything in-between. Truly a well-rounded guard playing beyond her years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='789189' first='Brooke' last='Stagliano'] - 5-8 G, Paul VI (2027)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stagliano was thrown right into Paul VI's balanced offensive rotation, one of roughly nine playes who all scored 5+ points per game or so. She produced in a system that ended up benefitting the Eagles greatly, the third-highest scoring average on the team. That success was due in large part to her three-point shooting, and if it continues to progress, who knows what heights that will take her to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='835898' first='Kirsten' last='Gibson'] - 5-8 G, Cherry Hill West (2027)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The talent level among the Class of 2027 in New Jersey right now, it's deep and plentiful. South Jersey is no exception to the rule as Cherry Hill West went from pretender to contender thanks to the play of [player_tooltip player_id='835898' first='Kirsten' last='Gibson']. A true leader out of the gates, she showcased her worth and showed out for the Lions. A well-rounded guard, Gibson's three-point shooting is certainly a standout, but her game overall is already quite polished.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 GUAA</strong></h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='835864' first='Emma' last='Harris'] - 5-7 G, Haddon Heights (2027)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right out of the gates, Harris made her presence known, announcing herself onto the high school girls basketball scene in New Jersey. You don't see many freshmen scoring 15+ points a game immediately, and credit to her for assimilating quickly, understanding the flow of the game and her role on the court. What a shooter Harris is too, already one of the best in the region, if not the entire state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='559134' first='Cali' last='McCoy'] - 6-2 F, Rutgers Prep (2026)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCoy came into a program stacked with talent and needed to find her way to get more playing time. She was certainly used more often as a sophomore, though off the bench, but this junior year upcoming is one where spots in the starting lineup will be up for grabs. She has a fantastic shot of being a starter in the frontcourt for the Argos, and experience lends itself to that becoming a reality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 Select</strong></h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='600906' first='Kiersten' last='Callahan'] - 5-9 G, Haddon Township (2026)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Something that's impressed so far about Callahan is her consistency from the three-point line, even moreso as a sophomore. Strong showing out of the gates, but a more polished offensive game as a sophomore, one that led to more consistent scoring across the floor and more trips to the foul line thanks to added aggression when driving into the paint. Excited to see what she can do as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 Select</strong></h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='525318' first='Madelyn' last='Adamson'] - 5-9 G, Ocean City (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ocean City is a program in rebuild mode right now, but that doesn't mean the Red Raiders don't have some stars on their roster. Adamson certainly fits the billing, the leading scorer for OC last season and one of the most complete players on their roster, period. Expecting a big season out of her as a senior, one where she really taps into her shooting and scoring potential, not to mention being a more aggressive player defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->