While the celebration continues for 2025-26 national champion
Ontario Christian (Ontario, Calif.), we are already looking ahead to the 2026-27 season with our way-too-early MaxPreps Top 25 high school girls basketball rankings.
Ontario Christian and
Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.) spent much of the season jockeying between the top two spots before the Knights grabbed the ring at the end of the season.
The two should start the season where they finished – at the head of the class.
Ontario Christian is expected to return a quartet of MaxPreps All-Americans, including National Player of the Year
Kaleena Smith.
Bishop McNamara will be hungry after coming up short at the end of the year.
Qandace Samuels and
Nyair McCoy are expected back as well as
Jaylah King, who looks to continue her rise after a breakout sophomore season.
In total, 12 teams from the final 2025-26 MaxPreps Top 25 are projected to return to the rankings next season.
1. Ontario Christian (Ontario, Calif.)
2025-26: 34-2
Notable losses: None
Notable returners: Kaleena Smith,
Tatianna Griffin,
Dani Robinson,
Chloe JenkinsThe Knights return the sophomore and freshman players of the year in Smith and Griffin, respectively.
2. Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.)2025-26: 29-3
Notable losses: Kasey RobinsonNotable returners: Qandace Samuels,
Jaylah King,
Nyair McCoy,
Tegan Primus,
Dottie EatmonThe Mustangs will be hungry after falling in the state private school title game that also thwarted their national championship bid.
3. Bullis (Potomac, Md.)
2025-26: 29-7
Notable losses: Adora NwudeLosing Nwude's hurts but Wilson Manyacka is one of the game's big stars and Williams is emerging.
4. Etiwanda (Calif.)
2025-26: 30-4
Notable losses: Arynn FinleyHead coach Stan Delus looks to get the Eagles back to the state championship game after missing the final for the first time in four seasons.
5. Bishop Ireton (Alexandria, Va.)
2025-26: 28-7
Notable losses: None
The entire roster is back after winning the VISAA Division 1 state title and finishing runner-up in the WCAC tournament.
7. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)
2025-26: 28-3
Notable losses: McKenna Woliczko,
Emma Cook,
Devin Cosgriff,
Abi James,
Sofia TeresiLosing MaxPreps All-American Woliczko is a hurdle but the Monarchs proved they could compete at a high level as the Iowa signee rehabbed from an ACL injury.
8. Centennial (Corona, Calif.)2025-26: 24-5
Notable losses: Cydnee BryantDouglas was a force in the state final victory and returns with a stout cast around her.
9. Belleville (Mich.)
2025-26: 25-2
Notable losses: Se'crette CarterSavoury is a MaxPreps All-American surrounded by plenty of young talent that coach Jason Wilkins is bullish on.
10. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.)
2025-26: 23-7
Notable losses: Dahni Suggs,
Mone't EdwardsNyke Burrell takes over the program after the retirement of Jerome Shelton. She has one of the most exciting sophomores in the game in Ison leading the charge.
11. Miami Country Day (Miami, Fla.)
2025-26: 28-2
Notable losses: Kamie Ellis,
Casey O'ConnellBelton and Edge lead a Spartan crew looking for a fifth straight state title after finishing No. 15 in the final MaxPreps Top 25.
12. Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis, Mo.)
2025-26: 29-2
Notable losses: Addi Owen,
Nevaeh Lucious,
Peyton OlufsonO'Donnell, Perry and Fitzgerald are next to carry the torch for Incarnate Word Academy.
13. Johnston (Iowa)
2025-26: 27-0
Notable losses: Jenica LewisLewis' departure to Notre Dame is a key loss, but Phillips and Kalb emerged as go-to contributors last season and look to lead the Dragons as they continue their nation-best win streak.
15. Tualatin (Ore.)
2025-26: 26-4
Notable losses: Ries Miadich,
Alex PadillaThe Timberwolves were done-in by a quarterfinal buzzer-beater after being ranked for much of the season. Best and Ames lead a solid group looking to get back atop the state and beyond.
17. Hoover (Ala.)
2025-26: 35-1
Notable losses: Khloe Ford,
Aaliyah BlanchardMaxPreps National Freshman of the Year Wintson returns with fellow rising sophomores Cook and Leonard as the Bucs look for a seventh straight Class 7A title.
19. Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.)
2025-26: 27-3
Notable losses: None
The Royals were clipped in the state final but it's a program that knows what it takes to win championships. The group is young, talented and now hungry.
2025-26: 23-8
Notable losses: Kaitlyn RaagasThe Brown sisters accounted for 36 points per game on the way to a San Diego Section Open Division title.
22. Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.)
2025-26: 24-6
Notable losses: Kennedy Brown,
Jayah CurtisAfter a trip to their fourth straight state final, the Crusaders look to keep the run going as Edelman, Bonfante and Fulston are a formidable trio heading into their senior season.
23. Principia (St. Louis, Mo.)
2025-26: 30-2
Notable losses: None
After two straight state runner-up finishes, the Panthers won their first title last year. Their seven leading scorers return led by MaxPreps Junior All-American Scott.
