Team of the Week: Aztecs give back while chasing title over Christmas break

San Diego State’s women’s basketball team ostensibly has 10 days off between Saturday’s 83-54 win over Boise State and its Dec. 31 Mountain West matinee meeting against Air Force at Viejas Arena.

But the Aztecs aren’t taking a Christmas break. Far from it.

“I’m very proud of this group,” coach Stacie Terry-Hutson said earlier this week. “This team is going to do some special things before this season is over.”

Actually, it already is — on and off the court.

Aztecs players recently approached Terry-Hutson about adding several practices during the break to stay focused on repeating as Mountain West champions. And the players “adopted” three families before Christmas, purchasing and then wrapping Christmas gifts for them.

“On their own, our players teamed with the NoSilence, NoViolence organization that provides assistance to victims of domestic violence to assist affected families over the Christmas holidays,” Terry-Hutson said. “They were introduced to three families who were facing a tough Christmas and turned that around.”

As she was talking, Terry-Hutson was looking at a Christmas card from four sophomores on the Aztecs’ roster – forward Bailey Barnhard and guards Naomi Panganiban, Nat Martinez and Kaelyn Hamilton. All came to San Diego State straight out of high school. They now live together.

“It’s just another example of the family concept we’ve developed,” said the coach. “As a group, they’re dedicated to basketball and more. We’ve got a group that sees a bigger picture. Bailey’s been a big part of this. As a local (Del Norte High School), Bailey invited the entire team to her home several times over the summer. Those events were invaluable to our bonding.”

The Aztecs hold weekly leadership meetings following Tuesday practices. It was from these sessions that the decision to help families at Christmas and seek extra practices developed.

“The players brainstorm everything from what they need to improve on in basketball to making sure all their teammates have the support they need in the classroom and life,” said Terry-Hutson. “It makes a big difference.”

On the court, this year’s Aztecs (8-3) are following in the footsteps of last season’s group, which went 25-10.

But there is a huge difference between the two teams.

Last year’s team was led by seniors Kim Villalobos, Adryana Quezada and Cali Clark. All are now gone, as is point guard Veronica Sheffey via the transfer portal.

“It’s a major change that called for individual adjustments and growth,” Terry-Hutson said. “We’re not 100% there yet, but we’ve made big strides.”

There was a significant “growing” minute late in the first half against Boise State. Over a 61-second span, the Aztecs missed four straight shots — three of them 3-pointers — and then turned the ball over.

Still, the Aztec bench was on its feet and applauding. Why? Maria Konstantinidou and Barnhard came down with four straight offensive rebounds. The 6-foot-2 Konstantinidou pulled down a defensive rebound at the other end to start the possession. The 6-1 Barnhard got the inside position on two taller rivals.

Players on the Aztec bench realized the significance of what Konstantinidou and Barnhard were doing.

“I had challenged Maria to get rebounds,” said Terry-Hutson. “She got seven. Bailey got five. And our defense got stops and took away good looks for three of the best shooting guards in the Mountain West. We’ve been looking to play a complete game. Still are. But we’re getting closer.”

Panganiban said the Aztecs were “locked in from the beginning” of the Boise State game. SDSU is now 2-0 in conference play.

Defense is going to be key to the Aztecs’ success, particularly against taller teams that want to create mismatches with their guards down low. Pacing that defense are guards Nala Williams and Martinez. Williams is a senior transfer from Cal State Dominguez Hills, where she was named the National Division II Player of the Year last season. Like Panganiban, Martinez was a member of the Mountain West all-freshman team last season.

“I like shooting the ball, but I also like playing defense and handling the ball,” Martinez said. “Defense was crucial to what we did last year. It’s a different defense this year, but we can be just as sharp.”

Panganiban (13.4 points per game) has moved past Martinez (11.9) as the Aztecs’ leading scorer. Williams is third at 9.5 points per game while leading the Aztecs with 39 assists and averaging 4.4 rebounds a game. She is followed by Kennedy Lee (9.4 points, 4.7 rebounds per game), Barnhard (5.6, 5.5), Hamilton (5.1 points) and 3-point shooter CJ. Latta (4.4 points).

“We have great depth,” Terry-Hutson said. “I have to find more creative ways to get these kids more minutes.”

The sense of family shines through. Panganiban recently presented all her teammates with customized headphones as Christmas presents.

“Everybody on this team helps however they can,” Panganiban said of the gift. “I wanted to share something I liked from a sponsor I have.”

Every week during the school year, U-T contributor Bill Center highlights one San Diego college team that’s making strides on and off the field. To nominate a team, email wcenter27@gmail.com