A dozen girls have been selected as finalists for the Billy Schoppy Award, presented to the athlete from the Cape-Atlantic League Class of 2026 who had the most outstanding high school sports career. The awards originated in 2001 with Jason Kaye of The Flagship Resort in Atlantic City sponsoring them. In 2012, Dave Talarico and Schoppy’s, the area’s finest trophy and award creator, became the sponsor. And in 2017 the award was changed to The Billy Schoppy Award as a memorial to the son of William Schoppy, who created the business in 1921.

This year’s 12 finalists are from nine different CAL schools and were selected based on their four years of high school sports. Previous winners have included single-sport athletes who were dominant and athletes who played two, three or even four sports with success. A complete list of previous winners, plus finalists for each previous year, is available HERE.

The 2026 finalists are, in alphabetical order:

LAUREN CELLA, Holy Spirit: a three-sport athlete (field hockey, basketball and lacrosse) who will attend Thomas Jefferson University.

GABBY CHILDS, Hammonton: a two-sport athlete (field hockey & lacrosse) who will attend Wagner College.

STELLA DEVLIN, St. Joseph: a two-sport athlete (field hockey & lacrosse) who will attend Kean University.

ALAINA DORSEY, St. Joseph: a softball player who will attend Seton Hall University.

GABBY HENRY, Ocean City: a three-sport athlete (cross country, basketball & track) who will attend the University of Arkansas,

TAYLOR LYONS, Holy Spirit: a two-sport athlete (field hockey & lacrosse) who will attend Queens College of North Carolina.

TAISON PARKER, Atlantic City: a two-sport athlete (basketball & track) who will attend North Carolina AT&T.

REAGEN POWELL, Middle Township: a three-sport athlete (soccer, basketball & track) who will attend Caldwell University.

AINSLEY REED, Lower Cape May: a three-sport athlete (tennis, basketball & lacrosse) who will attend John Carroll University,

JANDERLYS REYES-MENDEZ, Pleasantville: a three-sport athlete (soccer, basketball & flag football) who will attend Goldey-Beacom College,

MITRA SAMPSON, Hammonton: a three-sport athlete (volleyball, indoor track & outdoor track) who will attend Long Island University.

BELLA SCITTINA, Mainland: a two-sport athlete (wrestling & softball) who is still undecided about her college destination.

The names of the 12 male finalists will be released tomorrow.

The awards will be presented next Wednesday (June 10) during ceremonies in the auditorium inside the Ocean City Music Pier.