SC Next Top 25: The best high school girls' basketball teams in 2025-26

The holiday tournaments and showcases delivered fantastic matchups and major insight into the landscape of high school basketball across the country. Bishop McNamara (Md.) in particular left a huge impression, winning the Nike Tournament of Champions by defeating Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) 61-58, avenging an early season loss.

Princess Anne (Va.), led by 2027 ESPN SCNext 60 No. 7 Micah Ojo, ran away from the competition at the John Wall Classic, beating 2027 No. 2 Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka's Bullis (Md.) squad in the championship game 70-57.

A couple of New Jersey teams make their SCNext Top 25 debut in the January update: No. 22 Saint John Vianney, featuring Duke signee Taylor Sofilkanich (2026 No. 43) and Georgetown signee Stella Lockhart (four-star); and No. 24 Red Bank Catholic, featuring Indiana signee Addison Nyemchek (2026 No. 28). Westlake (25-0) out of Texas is also a newcomer to the rankings.

Ontario Christian (Calif.) continues to dominate the field, led by 2027 No. 1 Kaleena Smith and 2028 No. 1 Tatianna Griffin. The Lady Knights' smallest margin of victory this season has been 22 points. However, their schedule toughens up in the middle of January, with contests against No. 4 Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) on Jan. 10, No. 2 Bishop McNamara (Md.) on Jan. 16, No. 22 St. John Vianney (N.J.) on Jan. 17 and No. 3 Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) on Jan. 19.

Speaking of Archbishop Mitty (Calif.): Possibly the biggest development in high school basketball right now is Iowa signee and 2026 No. 6 McKenna Woliczko's return to the court. She made her season debut on Jan. 2 after rehabbing an ACL injury suffered a year ago, with a 19-point, 13-rebound game.

January also features the Hoophall Classic -- hosted in Springfield, Mass. -- with a loaded slate of matchups on Friday, Jan. 16 featuring 11 recruits in the 2026 ESPN SCNext 100:

• Christ the King (N.Y.) vs. Mater Dei (N.Y.)

• No. 7 St. James Academy (Va.) vs No. 11 IMG Academy (Fla.)

• No. 13 Westtown (Pa.) vs No. 10 Bullis (Md.)

• No. 3 Long Island Lutheran (N.Y) vs No. 9 Sierra Canyon (Calif.)

• No. 2 Bishop McNamara (Md.) vs No. 1 Ontario Christian (Calif.)

Events like The Sophie Cunningham Classic in Missouri, 4 Tha Culture in Atlanta, The Rose Classic in New York and Mecca Showcase in New York round out the rest of the month.

SC Next player rankings:
2026 SC Next 100 | 2027 SC Next 60 | 2028 SC Next 25

2025-26 girls' SC Next Top 25

1. Ontario Christian (Calif.)

2. Bishop McNamara (Md.)

3. Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.)

4. Archbishop Mitty (Calif.)

5. DME (Fla.)

6. Legion Prep (Texas)

7. The St. James Academy (Va.)

8. Princess Anne (Va.)

9. Sierra Canyon (Calif.)

10. Bullis (Md.)

11. IMG Academy (Fla.)

12. Montverde (Fla.)

13. Westtown (Pa.)

14. Hoover (Ala.)

15. Minnetonka (Minn.)

16. Bishop Gorman (Nev.)

17. Friends Central (Pa.)

18. Etiwanda (Calif.)

19. Belleville (Mich.)

20. Tualatin (Ore.)

21. Johnston (Iowa)

22. Saint John Vianney (N.J.)

23. St. John's (D.C.)

24. Red Bank Catholic (N.J.)

25. Westlake (Texas)