Top Returners in the Cape Atlantic League Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Excitement is brewing and in the air around New Jersey as we inch closer and closer to the start of the high school girls basketball season. Our top returners series continues with this article, though a multi-part series with this specific league, the Cape Atlantic League, talking about the best returning pieces to the puzzle this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1048715' first='Lola' last='McGonigle'] - Wildwood Catholic (2027)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This article begins by talking about one of the best Class of 2027 prospects in the state, Wildwood Catholic guard [player_tooltip player_id='1048715' first='Lola' last='McGonigle']. It didn't take her long at all to get used to the flow of the game, making an incredible impact as an elite scorer, shooter and passer for the Crusaders. It's impressive to have watched such consistent success for a player that's only going to get better and better. Natural-born leader who welcomes the pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='525308' first='Sabrina' last='Little'] - Holy Spirit (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Very talented group of players who will be making their way back to Holy Spirit this season and among them is senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='525308' first='Sabrina' last='Little'], the leader of the pack. Little made her presence felt in a big way as a senior, averaging nearly 17 points a game against a tough schedule of opponents. Defensive success has increased tremendously, perimeter shooting has improved considerably and she just looks like a completely new player on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='583712' first='McKenzie' last='Palek'] - Middle Township (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unlike some of the other players we'll be talking about in this article, the stats don't necessarily pop off the page for Palek. However, on a team that's been as good as Middle Township has in recent years, Palek is the ring leader in this program, a probably double-figure scorer as a senior that can rebound, pass and defend. Nearly three steals a game is not easy task against this competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='414395' first='Reese' last='Downey'] - Absegami (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Downey has proven herself to be one of the best overall players in South Jersey and a top prospect in the Class of 2025. Her success began as a freshman and has only taken off from that point, nearly cracking 1,500 career points as a junior. When you're averaging 20 points a game on top of 3.3 threes, six rebounds, 4.5 assists and 4.3 steals per game, you're not just a dominant player offensively, but a multi-dimensional playmaker and then some.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='827088' first='Bridget' last='Roach'] - Atlantic City (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a really solid core of talent at Atlantic City moving forward and while [player_tooltip player_id='827088' first='Bridget' last='Roach'] will be moving out of that after this coming season, she will help lay down the foundation for that upcoming success. Roach herself excelled tremendously as a junior, scoring, rebounding and defending at a higher clip than ever before. She took over the reigns of the program as the top dog and will remain that going into the winter for her final dance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='525309' first='Averie' last='Harding'] - Egg Harbor Township (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plenty of seniors on this Egg Harbor Township team this season, with [player_tooltip player_id='525309' first='Averie' last='Harding'] leading the charge, a 6-2 combo forward that plays the part of a versatile playmaker with an impeccable touch around the rim. What a season she just had as a junior, coming up just sort of double-double averages while dominating on the offensive end of the floor. She's going to be a bonafide force to be reckoned with this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1048713' first='Khalia' last='Lewis'] - Our Lady of Mercy (2027)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two sophomores grace this first part, [player_tooltip player_id='1048713' first='Khalia' last='Lewis'] of Our Lady of Mercy being the second, and what a freshman season she put together for the Villagers, nearly missing out on 15-15 averages for the year. To haul in more than 16 rebounds a game on average is simply absurd, not to mention nine 20+ rebound games and two 20-20 performances. Her game, her basketball IQ, her success is only going to increase from this point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->