At JWS Next, we are dedicated to providing the most comprehensive coverage of high school sports possible. That starts with our weekly rankings, which debut today. We took a microscope to the national basketball scene and carefully mapped out a top-25 we believe reflects the balance of power.

Healthy dialogue is not just expected, but encouraged. We want to hear from you — coaches, players, athletic directors, fans and more. If you think your team isn’t ranked fairly, reach out and state your case. Our goal here is put together the best rankings possible, and in order to do so, we encourage your feedback.

That being said, find our first rankings below:

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

Anchored by the three-headed monster of senior point guard Kiki Rice (UCLA commit), junior forward Jadyn Donovan and sophomore guard Kendall Dudley, the Quakers are in a class of their own.

2. Hopkins (Minn.), 15-1 

Forward Maya Nnaji, an Arizona commit, has the Royals rolling. Hopkins, the alma mater of 2020 No. 1 recruit and UConn star Paige Bueckers, picked up its lone loss of the season against Sidwell Friends on Jan. 21.

3. DeSoto (Texas), (23-2)

The Eagles reached a season-high in points in an 80-23 win over Mansfield on Jan. 28.

4. Etiwanda (Calif.), 22-0

The undefeated Eagles have beaten their last four opponents by an average of 52 points.

5. St. John Vianney (N.J.), 15-0

The Lancers, also undefeated, routed Colts Neck 79-19 on Jan. 27. Their highly anticipated showdown against Sidwell Friends last weekend was snowed out.

6. La Jolla Country Day (Calif.), 19-2

The Torreys have won 11 games in a row since an upset loss to Grandview on Dec. 18.

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

A 53-51 defeat to Etiwanda on Dec. 22 is the lone blemish on the Comets’ otherwise perfect season record.

8. DME Academy (Fla.), 20-2

After a 10-point defeat to IMG Academy on Jan. 27, DME Academy will look for revenge on Saturday when the teams meet again.

9. Sierra Canyon (Calif.), 22-1

The Trailblazers have beaten each of their last four opponents by at least 25 points.

🎥: @BeachCityHoops pic.twitter.com/Co5SEUt5GO

— Sierra Canyon Girls Basketball (@sierracanyongbb) February 3, 2022

10. New Hope (Md.), 20-2

The Tigers are cruising heading into the final four games of their regular season slate.

11. Montverde (Fla.), 18-3

A big 59-51 win over Lake Highland Prep on Jan. 27 wrapped up the Eagles’ regular season slate.

12. Conway (Ark.), 21-1

The Wampus Cats face a stiff test Friday against rival North Little Rock on the road.

13. Cedar Park (Texas), 28-0

The Timberwolves ended the regular season unbeaten, and now turn their attention toward the Texas 5A playoffs.

14. Incarnate Word (Mo.), 17-0

The Red Knights will put their undefeated record on the line Friday against high-powered Cardinal Ritter.

15. Lake Highland Prep (Fla.), 18-4

Despite concluding the regular season with a loss to Montverde, the Highlanders feel confident entering the postseason. They’re led by star forward and Louisville commit Nyla Harris.

16. Rock Bridge (Mo.), 17-0

The Bruins shellacked Co Jesu Academy, 50-19, on Tuesday.

17. Fremont (Utah), 16-2

Led by forward Timea Gardiner, a five-star recruit (per ESPN) committed to Oregon State, the Silverwolves have won 10 in a row since a Dec. 21 loss to La Jolla.

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

The unbeaten Trojans kick off the 6A postseason next Monday against local rival Huntsville.

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

The Falcons bolstered their resume with a definitive 60-50 win over Paul IV (Va.) on Jan. 25.

I knew @angieharrisss was locked in last night when she looked at us with fire in her eyes when we took her out for a rest. We have not coached a more competitive player. She embodies the GC way: Be coached hard and Play hard! Our lunch box winner from last night! Leader!! pic.twitter.com/JjEVhWRzK3

— Good Counsel Women's Basketball (@falcongirlbball) January 26, 2022

20. Edison (Mich.), 12-1

Five-star guard Ruby Whitehorn, a Clemson commit, has the Pioneers riding a 10-game winning streak.

21. Johnston (Iowa), 15-0

The undefeated Dragons are four victories away from a perfect regular season.

22. Woodward Academy (Ga.), 20-2

After a 72-34 thrashing of local foe Banneker on Tuesday, the War Eagles head into their final two regular season contests.

23. Homestead (Ind.), 21-1

Wing Ayanna Patterson, a five-star recruit committed to UConn, and the Spartans kick off the 4A playoffs Friday against Columbia City.

24. Bishop McNamara (Md.), 10-4

The Panthers squeezed into the rankings this week, but need to beat Paul VI on Saturday to stay relevant in the national conversation.

25. IMG (Fla.), 11-4

Behind a 40-point performance from Arizona commit Kailyn Gilbert last week, the Ascenders beat DME to pick up a statement win late in the season.

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

The WNBA blew past viewership records throughout its 2025 campaign, ESPN reported this week, with the league delivering the network's most-watched season in history.

ESPN averaged 1.3 million viewers through 25 regular-season games, accounting for a 6% year-over-year increase, with the full season's 49 broadcasts averaging 1.2 million viewers per game — up 5% over last year's lineup.

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Postseason coverage was especially popular, with the Las Vegas Aces' championship-winning series sweep averaging 1.5 million viewers per game to become the second-most watched WNBA Finals behind the 2024 edition.

The gains also hit the ESPN studio, with the network's WNBA Countdown averaging 437,000 viewers through the 2025 Playoffs — up 30% over last season — while Hoop Streams and The Wrap-Up saw a 60% year-over-year viewership growth across eight postseason episodes.

Overall, the numbers punctuate the stability of the WNBA, with viewership continuing to rise despite superstars like Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese all missing screen time due to injury this year.

The dividends, as well, are already paying off, as the WNBA embarks on a new $2.2 billion media deal promising at least $200 million per year in returns through the 11-year contract.

With the league currently wading through contentious CBA negotiations, this year's soaring ratings seemingly back the WNBA Players Association's arguments for increased investment and revenue sharing.

Professional women's volleyball is officially landing in Los Angeles, with LOVB announcing Wednesday that the league plans to launch an LA expansion team funded by Angel City investor — and Serena Williams's husband — Alexis Ohanian.

Ohanian's Seven Seven Six venture capital firm is behind the new club, adding to a portfolio that also includes track and field competition Athlos and NWSL-focused docuseries The Offseason, as well as the men's Los Angeles Golf Club.

"We're excited to make LOVB the third jewel in Seven Seven Six's LA sports family," Ohanian said in the league's expansion announcement. "Volleyball is such a natural addition for Southern California, which has already proven how warmly it embraces new pro sports teams."

LOVB wrapped its inaugural six-team season in April 2025, with the league's second season set to kick off in January 2026 before LOVB LA becomes the pro venture's seventh squad in 2027.

"We're thrilled to partner with Alexis and the Seven Seven Six team, true women's sports champions," said LOVB Pro president Rosie Spaulding, further acknowledging the impact of Ohanian's sports portfolio and investment acumen. "Their commitment strengthens the entire volleyball ecosystem, and marks an exciting new chapter for LOVB and the sport as a whole."

"We can't wait to work with them to bring professional women's volleyball to Southern California as we continue to grow the sport across the US."

NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman is sticking around, with Sportico reporting last Friday that the NWSL Executive Committee voted for a three-year contract extension for the league leader through the 2028 LA Olympics.

The 48-year-old inked her initial four-year deal in 2022, quickly driving commercial growth after joining an NWSL still reeling from a period of league scandals.

Under her purview, Berman led the NWSL through successful CBA negotiations and inked a blockbuster $60 million-per-year media deal, boosting team valuations from the low single-digit millions to upwards of $250 million.

Berman also helped drive the league's ongoing expansion, seeing 12 clubs in action during her debut 2022 season before growing to 14 in the 2024 campaign — with additional expansion sides Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC ballooning the field to 16 squads beginning next year.

Despite those successes, Berman recently faced backlash surrounding the league's handling of on-field medical incidents, with Sportico's sources noting that the board of governors' decision to move forward with the NWSL commissioner's contract extension was not unanimous.

"We're proud to have Jessica Berman's continued leadership," executive committee chair and Gotham FC owner Carolyn Tisch Blodgett said in a league statement. "Under her guidance, the NWSL has reached new heights in attendance, revenue, and global visibility. This extension ensures we can continue building on that momentum."

As the penultimate international window of 2025 kicks off next week, several global soccer stars are announcing their impending retirements, hanging up their national team boots as global attention turns toward next year's 2027 World Cup qualifiers.

Headlining the list of exiting stars is Wales' all-time top scorer and longtime Seattle Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock, who will suit up for the world No. 32 Dragons one last time against No. 15 Australia next week, ending a 19-year international career.

The 38-year-old notched 48 goals in her 165 caps for her national team, including scoring Wales' first-ever goal in a major tournament during last summer's 2025 Euro tournament.

"The Euros was the pinnacle of my football career, seeing the dragon on the world stage for the first time will be a memory that will stay with me for a lifetime," Fishlock posted in her Wednesday announcement. "Every minute was a pleasure, a privilege, and an honour."

Also stepping away from international duty is 2022 Euro champion and Chelsea FC defender Millie Bright, retiring from No. 4 England's backline on Monday after previously removing herself from consideration for the Lionesses' successful Euro title defense earlier this year.

Other notable international soccer retirements this week include No. 27 Ireland defender Megan Campbell, No. 6 France midfielder Sandie Toletti and winger Amel Majri, and No. 11 Netherlands midfielder Sherida Spitse and striker Renate Jansen.