All Scores

Sierra Canyon holds strong at No. 8 in girls’ basketball rankings

(Courtesy of Sierra Canyon High School)

Sierra Canyon, slotted No. 8 in the JWS’ national girls’ basketball rankings, are one of the top teams in Southern California this year. What makes the Trailblazers special, however, is that they are primed to compete into next season and beyond.

That’s because two of Sierra Canyon’s best players, guard Juju Watkins and forward Mackenly Randolph, will be with the team beyond the 2021-22 season. Watkins, a five-star recruit per ESPN, is a junior. And Randolph, a four-star recruit, is a sophomore.

No. 4 Etiwanda is undefeated and remains a level above the rest in the area, but Sierra Canyon, with its lone blemish this season coming in a two-point defeat to No. 6 La Jolla, might very well be the Southern California’s future.

After debuting our high school basketball rankings last week, we’re back with another weekly installment.

1. Sidwell Friends (D.C.), 16-0

The top-ranked Quakers hit the road Tuesday to challenge Georgetown Visitation, which it beat by 16 points earlier in the season.

2. Hopkins (Minn.), 16-1

The Royals extended their winning streak to four games with a 75-42 road win over Edina on Friday.

3. DeSoto (Tex.), 24-2

The Eagles clinched the District 11-6A title with a 59-32 win over Cedar Hill on the road.

4. Etiwanda (Calif.), 23-0

The Eagles wrapped up the regular season without a loss and clinched the No. 1 seed in the Open Division playoffs.

5. St. John Vianney (N.J.), 17-0

Behind 28 points from senior Madison St. Rose, the Lancers thrashed Saddle River Day 76-51 in a battle between the top two teams in the state.

6. La Jolla Country Day (Calif.), 20-2

The Torreys smashed Bishop’s 71-52 on Friday in the first game of a home-and-home series that’ll conclude the regular season.

7. Classen SAS (Okla.), 16-1

The Comets enter their final two games of the regular season as heavy favorites against inferior opponents.

8. Sierra Canyon (Calif.), 23-1

Led by junior guard Juju Watkins and sophomore forward Mackenly Randolph, the Trailblazers are prepared to compete now and into the future.

9. New Hope (Md.), 21-2

Following a 70-42 win over National Christian on Sunday, the Tigers face a trio of out-of-state opponents.

10. DME (Fla.), 20-2

Two games separate coach Wesley Arocho’s team from the postseason, where DME will look to contend for a championship.

11. Montverde (Fla.), 18-3

The Eagles finished their regular season on Jan. 29 and will be well-rested when the Florida regional playoffs kick off this week.

12. Conway (Ark.), 21-1

After a seven-day break, the Wampus Cats return to the court Tuesday to challenge conference rival Cabot.

13. Cedar Park (Tex.), 29-0

The Timberwolves kicked off the 5A playoffs with a 62-34 blowout win over Rouse.

14. Incarnate Word (Mo.), 19-0

The Red Knights beat their two weekend opponents by an average of 21 points.

15. Lake Highland Prep (Fla.), 19-4

In the 4A District 6 Championship game, the Highlanders shellacked Horizon, 89-18.

16. Fremont (Utah), 17-2

The Silverwolves remained hot with a 72-22 rout of Layton on Friday.

17. Hazel Green (Ala.), 27-0

The Trojans kick off the Class 6A Area 16 tournament on Monday against lowly Columbia.

18. Good Counsel (Md.)., 13-1

The Falcons carry a six-game winning streak into Monday’s matchup with St. Mary’s Ryken.

19. Rock Bridge (Mo.), 18-1

After a stunning 49-45 defeat at Webster Groves on Saturday, the Bruins rebounded the following day with a 59-46 win over Cardinal Ritter Prep.

20. Johnston (Iowa), 16-0

Led by 6-foot-1 forward Jada Gyamfi, an Iowa commit, the Dragons preserved their undefeated season with a 81-50 win over Waukee.

21. Woodward Academy (Ga.), 21-2

The War Eagles look to end the regular season on a high note Tuesday against Creekside.

22. Homestead (Ind.), 23-1

Wing Ayana Patterson scored 32 points to lead the Spartans to an 87-55 win over South Side and help the team claim the 4A Sectional championship.

23. Bishop McNamara (Md.), 11-4

The Mustangs picked up a much-needed statement win with a 64-57 overtime triumph over Paul IV on Saturday.

24. IMG (Fla.), 11-4

The Ascenders have two regular season games remaining, including a highly anticipated Feb. 18 bout against Hopkins.

25. Edison (Mich.), 12-2

A 75-68 defeat to local power Joliet West marked the Pioneers’ second loss of the season.

Josh Needelman is the High School Sports Editor at Just Women’s Sports. Follow him on Twitter @JoshNeedelman.

2025 WNBA Season Tips Off with Action-Packed Friday Lineup

The Golden State Valkyries and LA Sparks tip off a 2025 WNBA preseason game.
The Valkyries play their first-ever official league game in Friday's 2025 WNBA season tip-off. (Supriya Limaye/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

The 2025 WNBA season is finally here, with Friday's official tip-off leading an opening weekend full of tough competition and simmering storylines.

The reigning champion New York Liberty enter as odds-on favorites, but results are nearly impossible to predict after a very active offseason across the league.

This weekend's slate features new builds, regional rivalries, and plenty of fresh faces as top 2025 draft picks log their first pro minutes.

  • Minnesota Lynx vs. Dallas Wings, Friday at 7:30 PM ET (ION): This year's No. 1 draft pick Paige Bueckers makes her official WNBA debut as revamped Dallas tests itself against a Minnesota team still stinging over last year's title loss.
  • Los Angeles Sparks vs. Golden State Valkyries, Friday at 10 PM ET (ION): The Valkyries play their first-ever regular-season game, looking to form an identity against downstate rivals LA, led by new Sparks addition Kelsey Plum.
  • Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty, Saturday at 1 PM ET (ABC): The 2023 champs meet the 2024 title-winners in a heavyweight clash that sees 2024 MVP A'ja Wilson take on a confident New York team led by guard Sabrina Ionescu.
  • Chicago Sky vs. Indiana Fever, Saturday at 3 PM ET (ABC): Last year's rookie headliners Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese meet again in Indiana, with the regional rivals relying on both incoming vets and young cores to write their next chapters.

Packed with great matchups, this weekend is the ideal tip-off for a 2025 season that promises to be a wild ride — no matter which WNBA team you follow.

No. 1 Kansas City Faces No. 2 Orlando in Top-Table NWSL Weekend Match

Orlando's Marta dribbles the ball past Kansas City's Nichelle Prince during the 2024 NWSL semifinals.
Orlando ousted Kansas City in the 2024 NWSL semifinals. (Dustin Markland/Getty Images)

The NWSL is back in action this weekend with a top-table match, a bicoastal battle, and some middle-of-the-pack clashes as the 2025 season enters its ninth matchday.

Parity is riding high these days, with just three points dividing the No. 1 Kansas City Current and No. 3 Washington Spirit in the NWSL standings — while only three more separate the No. 4 San Diego Wave from the No. 8 Seattle Reign.

With competition remaining tough as nails, don't expect much more daylight between teams following this weekend's tense lineup:

  • No. 7 Gotham FC vs. No. 4 San Diego Wave, Friday at 7:30 PM ET (NWSL+): Coming off a two-game winless streak, Gotham is still searching for consistency as they take on a confident San Diego side that hasn't lost in four games.
  • No. 9 Racing Louisville vs. No. 8 Seattle Reign, Friday at 7:30 PM ET (NWSL+): All tied up with 11 points each, Seattle will look to hold off Louisville as Racing continues to hunt the club's first-ever playoff berth.
  • No. 2 Orlando Pride vs. No. 1 Kansas City Current, Friday at 8 PM ET (Prime): There's little love lost between these NWSL titans, as the reigning champion Pride takes on hosting duties in an attempt to leapfrog current top-dog Kansas City in Friday's marquee match.

In a season dominated by topsy-turvy results, the pressure to secure points week-over-week weighs heaviest on the teams who know they have the talent to rise above the rest.

Esther Extends Gotham Contract Amid MVP-Quality NWSL Season

Gotham forward Esther celebrates a goal during a 2025 NWSL match.
Gotham FC's Esther currently leads the 2025 NWSL Golden Boot race. (Hannah Foslien/NWSL via Getty Images)

This season's NWSL Golden Boot leader Esther González is sticking with Gotham, with the Spanish international extending her contract with the NJ/NY club through 2027.

After helping Gotham to a first-ever NWSL championship in 2023, González earned the league's Best XI Second Team honors last year before launching a red-hot campaign this season.

The 2023 World Cup winner has tallied seven goals in nine games for Gotham in 2025, showcasing a blistering rush of form that has her sitting two goals ahead of the next Golden Boot race contender.

"Above all, it's about how I've felt during these two and a half years with Gotham FC," González said in Thursday's team announcement. "Continuing to be happy both on and off the field is really important. To keep enjoying myself and representing Gotham's colors, which I truly identify with, is something really incredible."

Gotham's continued investment underlines the 32-year-old's case for 2025 MVP candidacy, as award frontrunners start to emerge one-third of the way through the 2025 NWSL season.

González leads the NWSL in shots on target while sitting fourth in expected goals per 90 minutes, with her scoring outpacing many of her peers.

Other players crafting strong 2025 NWSL MVP resumes include Kansas City's 2024 MVP Temwa Chawinga and comeback star Debinha, Angel City wunderkind Alyssa Thompson, and Orlando sharpshooter Barbra Banda.

FA Cup Finalist Chelsea FC Heads to Wembley with Historic Treble in Sight

Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze heads the game-winning goal past Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce in a 2025 WSL match.
Chelsea will aim for the domestic treble in Sunday's 2025 FA Cup final. (Molly Darlington - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Following a dominant 2024/25 campaign, Chelsea FC will look to cap their historic run by completing a domestic treble on Sunday, when they'll battle Manchester United for a third season trophy in the 2025 FA Cup final.

After securing the 2024/25 League Cup in March amidst an unbeaten run to a sixth-straight WSL title, the Blues will close out their season against the league's third-place finishers, the Red Devils, in London's iconic Wembley Stadium.

Should Chelsea secure the 2025 FA Cup, they will add a second domestic treble to their resume after clinching their first trio of trophies in the 2020/21 season. This time, however, they could do so in undefeated fashion.

"We are in a really good place, just the fact that we won the league being unbeaten," said first-year Blues manager Sonia Bompastor. "To end the season with an FA Cup final at Wembley against Man United is maybe the perfect way to end the season."

The 2023/24 Manchester United team and staff celebrate their first-ever FA Cup championship.
Manchester United seeks to defend their 2024 FA Cup title. (Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Manchester United hunts second straight FA Cup trophy

Standing between Chelsea and the treble are 2024 FA Cup champions Manchester United, who will take aim at their only trophy of the season partly behind the play of 2024/25 WSL Golden Glove winner and USWNT goalkeeper prospect Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

Man United enter as the game's undisputed underdogs, having dropped both their WSL regular-season matches against Chelsea in narrow 1-0 defeats.

Even more, the Red Devils must overcome a particular tough stretch of play, facing more than a month without a victory on their schedule.

Man United's last win was their 2-0 FA Cup semifinal victory over Manchester City on April 13th, with the Red Devils suffering a pair of losses and recording two draws to close out WSL play.

That said, United has experience downing the Blues on the FA Cup stage, ousting Chelsea from last year's semifinals en route to a club-first FA title.

Remarking that Manchester United "are a really strong team," Bompastor pointed out that the Red Devils "don't concede a lot of goals, and we need to remember that."

"You only get the trophy if you win, so we need to make sure going into the game we have the best preparation and we perform on the day."

How to watch Chelsea play Manchester United at the FA Cup final

The 2025 FA Cup final between Chelsea FC and Manchester United will kick off at 8:30 AM ET on Sunday.

Live coverage of the match will begin at 8:20 AM ET on ESPN+.

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