Aztecs, Tritons look to build off NCAA Tournament seasons; Toreros welcome new coach

Veteran head coaches Stacie Terry-Hutson (San Diego State) and Heidi VanDerveer (UC San Diego) led their teams to conference tournament championships and NCAA Tournament berths last season, while the area’s third Division I basketball program changed head coaches after a 7-23 season.

But incoming University of San Diego coach Blanche Alverson already has several things in common with her peers across town.

One, they knew one another long before Alverson came to USD.

Two, each is rebuilding to a degree as the 2025-2026 season rapidly approaches.

This is not surprising for Alverson, who came to USD after serving Georgia Tech as a top assistant for six seasons. She brought in five freshmen and two transfers who figure prominently in the Toreros’ plans.

But both the Aztecs and Tritons have expected and unexpected vacancies to fill.

Not only did San Diego State graduate its three regular bigs – Kim Villalobos, Adryana Quezada and Cali Clark – from the Mountain West Tournament champions, point guard and leading scorer Veronica Sheffey transferred through the portal to TCU.

And while UCSD returns three key regulars from the 20-16 team that won the Big West Tournament during its first season of eligibility, the Tritons saw Big West Tourney MVP Sumayah Sugapong (La Jolla Country Day) — also the team’s leader in scoring, assists and steals — transfer to the University of Arizona.

“While we’re returning several talented holdovers from last year’s USD roster, it’s like we have 14 new players,” Alverson said earlier this week. “Those who aren’t totally new to the school are new to me and what we’re doing. We had a lot of introductions.”

But introductions weren’t necessary between newcomer Alverson and VanDerveer (entering her 14th season as head coach at UCSD) and Terry-Hutson (in her 13th season with the Aztecs).

“I’ve known Stacie for a long time. We have multiple connections,” said Alverson. “Stacie has been very supportive. And Heidi is a great friend. My head coach at Georgia Tech (Nell Fortner) knows them both. I view them as great supporters.”

Here’s a look at San Diego’s three Division I women’s basketball programs:

San Diego State

2024-25 record: 25-10, won Mountain West Conference Tournament.

Key returnees: Naomi Panganiban (La Jolla Country Day; 5-7, soph. G, 10.3 ppg), Nat Martinez (5-7, soph., G; 7.4 ppg), Bailey Barnhard (Del Norte High; 6-1, soph., F; 2.0 ppg), Kaelyn Hamilton (5-9, soph., G, 2.7 ppg).

Top newcomers: Nala Williams (5-8, Sr., PG; transfer from Cal State Dominguez Hills where she was NCAA Division II National Player of the Year and National Defensive Player of the Year last season), CJ Latta (G, 5-10, Soph; transfer from Utah State), Maria Konstaninidou (Jr., 6-2, F; transfer from Fresno State), Sofia Kelemeni (6-0, Sr., G/F; transfer from San Jose State), Kennedy Lee (Sr, 6-0, F; transfer from Nevada).

Overview: Hutson says last season “changed the standard for the Aztecs,” who will run a three- and four-guard offense. “We’re going to play faster this season,” she said. “Last year, we were post-oriented. This season will be a long process. There will be bumps along the way. But there’s solid talent.”

Season opener: Nov. 3 vs. UCLA in Anaheim

UC San Diego

2024-2025 record: 20-16, Won Big West Tournament.

Key returnees: Sabrina Ma (5-10, Sr., G, 10.0 ppg), Gracie Gallegos (6-1, Jr., G, 9.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg), Erin Condron (6-4, F/C, Jr., 8.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg), Junae Mahan (5-8, Jr., G, 4.7 ppg).

Top newcomers: Makayla Rose (5-7, Sr., G; transfer from UC Riverside where she was the Big West Defensive Player of the Year, 9.2 ppg), Dymonique Maxie (5-8, Jr., G; transfer from Nevada, 7.2 ppg).

Overview: In addition to Sugapong, the Tritons lost versatile guard Parker Montgomery (Big West All-Tournament Team) and single-season Division I rebound record holder Kayanna Spriggs to graduation from the 2024-2025 team. The Tritons have also added four freshmen in guards Lev Feiman and Michaela Fairwell and forwards Tatum Jones and Niya Price.

Season opener: Nov. 3 at Pacific

USD

2024-2025 record: 7-23

Key returnees: Malia Tharpe (6-0, Jr., F; 3.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg), Dresha Moore (6-0, Soph., F, 4.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg), Erica Carr (6-3, Soph., F/C), Eva Ruse (6-2, Soph., F) and twins Jayden and Hallie Rhodes (5-11, G, Srs.).

Top newcomers: Kylie Ray (5-8, Soph. PG; transfer from Utah), Helen Holley (6-1, Soph., F; transfer from Michigan State), Olivia Owens (5-10, Fr., G), Ayla Williams (6-0, Fr., F), Jessica Ajayi (5-10, Fr., G), Ysabella Von Seipler (5-10, Fr., G), Ryanne Bahnsen-Price (6-0, Fr., F).

Overview: New Toreros head coach Alverson added five freshmen and two transfers. “Our speed and athleticism are our strengths,” said Alverson. “We also have good depth and a lot of versatile players.” What the Toreros lack is size and experience. At least three freshmen will be in the regular mix. Carr and Ruse were injured last year. Alverson expects Tharpe to have a strong year, and she and Moore could return as starters.

Season opener: Nov. 3 vs. Bethesda