Way-too-early 2026-27 national high school girls basketball rankings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
One of the few upsides of high school basketball season coming to an end?
It's officially no longer too early to look ahead to next season.
Based solely on 2025-26 performance and the extent to which underclassmen contributed to it, here's a look at who we think will be the nation's top 25 teams in 2026-27.
Realistically, these rankings might not mean much by the time the 2026-27 high school basketball season rolls around because of transfers, impact freshmen, and offseason injuries. Additionally, fast-rising teams poised for breakout years tend to announce themselves at offseason showcases like Section 7. Official preseason rankings will take those factors into account when they come out roughly six months from now. But these are the teams we'd go with as it currently stands.
Top players:Kaleena Smith, Tati Griffin, Dani Robinson, Chloe Jenkins, Skylah Archer
Rarely are national championships won in high school basketball by teams so heavy on underclassmen. Ontario Christian brings back its top five leading scorers as the nation's top trio – Player of the Year Kaleena Smith, top-ranked sophomore Tati Griffin, and 4-star junior Dani Robinson – enters its third year together. Do-it-all blue chip freshman Chloe Jenkins and incumbent sixth man Skylah Archer round out what'll again be a perimeter-heavy but overpowering nucleus.
Top players:Qandace Samuels, Nyair McCoy, Jaylah King, Tegan Primus, Dottie Eatmon
Like Ontario Christian, Bishop McNamara graduates an important contributor in Kai Powell but is a lock to compete for a national title once again with the above five names returning. 5-star wing Qandace Samuels stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.7 steals per game on 49% FG while also helping lock down the interior defensively. The X-factor is 6-foot-4 freshman center Tegan Primus, who will be a strong candidate to build on her solid freshman season.
Top players:Chasity Rice, Aliyah Phillips, Andrea Alamo, Tess Oldenburg, Sydney Roberson, Jaylee Moore, Cassidy Morgan
While Etiwanda is graduating one of the top perimeter scorers in the nation in Arynn Finley, the rest of the rotation consisted of underclassmen, primarily juniors. The Eagles have enough high-end talent to replace her scoring and a balanced roster that could compete for a national title. 4-star point guard Chasity Rice is primed for a massive senior year after already averaging 17.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 3.1 steals as a junior. Tess Oldenburg (7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 blocks) and Jaylee Moore helped the Eagles reach another gear after becoming eligible midseason and, together with Aliyah Phillips (12 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 1.7 blocks), will emerge as one of the nation's premier frontcourts with more continuity.
Top players:Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka, Taylor Williams, Adina Asuelimen, Dahlia Debourou
Adora Nwude was the Bulldogs' barometer this season, and the explosive playmaker is now off to play for Wake Forest. But it's hard to imagine that Bullis won't take another leap with First Team All-American Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka (21.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.4 steals, 2.0 blocks, 1.9 assists) potentially vying for status as the nation's most complete player with a strong supporting cast around her.
Top players:Ryan Carter, Zya Small, Faith Watson, Kayla Snyder, Phoenix Walker, Kiyari King
After a handful of losses to elite teams, Friends' Central finished with its highest ranking yet by toppling Westtown for a state title. And now the Phoenix bring back pretty much their whole team, including a trio of versatile high-major prospects standing upwards of six feet tall in Ryan Carter, Zya Small, and Faith Watson.
Shelly Stallsmith/York Daily Record / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn
Top players:Jordyn Palmer, Jada Lynch, Ashley Kreiger, Jordyn Jones, Lara Csaplar-Nagy, Ihana Sundararajan, Radhi Sundararajan
Westtown isn't going anywhere for at least one more year with 5-star junior small forward Jordyn Palmer (23.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists) still a Moose for one more year. While the roster is a little frontcourt-heavy, it's still stacked despite 4-star combo guard Atlee Vanesko heading to Ohio State. A slight leap in perimeter playmaking could have Westtown on the verge of legitimate national title contention.
Top players:Jezelle "GG" Banks, Ashley MacCalla, Jayda Dixon, Rylee Spinner
A few key Strivers are off to college, including All-American wing Jordyn Jackson (Maryland). But we still think St. James can rise just based on who it's returning before factoring in expected transfers. GG Banks and Ashley MacCalla form one of the most offensively gifted guard tandems in the nation and can carry a heavier load without losing efficiency. And the Strivers have two big-time breakout candidates in Jayda Dixon and Rylee Spinner. Dixon will be another season removed from the injury that took away her sophomore season, and Spinner (6-2) is ready for a bigger role in the frontcourt.