Local teams chase defending champion Hawaii

New season, new faces, new expectations.

The Big West 2023-24 women's basketball season gets underway as soon as Monday. Hawaii, which won last year's conference tournament, is the preseason favorite based on voting by the Big West's 11 head coaches.

Here's a look at the five local teams, in alphabetical order:

CAL STATE FULLERTON Coach: Jeff Harada, seventh season

Last season: 14-16, 9-11 conference

Who's back: The Titans return seven of their top eight scorers. Fujika Nimmo was second in scoring (14.5 ppg) last season. Ashlee Lewis, a 6-1center, also returns for her senior year after averaging 10.3points and a team-high 7.3 rebounds. Kathryn Neff has started 47 games over four seasons.

Who's gone: Una Jovanovic led the Titans in scoring last season at 14.6 ppg as their primary ball handler, but the All-Big West second-team selection has taken her skills to TCU.

Who's new: Junior guard Emily Strachan averaged 13.8 ppg at Central Maine Community College last season, earning first-team allconference honors and being named by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association as one of the top 10 junior college players in the nation last season.

Coach's quote: “Emily is an experienced, dynamic guard and high-level scorer who fits in perfectly to our offensive system. Her motor is nonstop and her outgoing personality, work ethic and maturity will definitely help our team.” — Jeff Harada

CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE Coach: Carlene Mitchell, third season Last season: 7-24, 6-14 conference Who's back: Kayanna Spriggs, a 6-2 junior who made 28starts at forward last season, was fifth in scoring (4.8 ppg.) and fourth in rebounding (3.6 rpg). She'll likely be joined up front by 6-3redshirt junior Ana Carolina De Jesus, who averaged 3.5ppg and 3.1rpg last season, and 6-1redshirt junior Laney Amundsen.

Who's gone: The Matadors lost their top four scorers and five of their top six to expired eligibility or another program. Tess Amundsen is playing professionally in Sweden after leading Northridge in scoring (14.0ppg) and shooting 48.5% from 3-point range. Jordyn Jackson (12.6ppg) completed her eligibility.

Who's new: Amiyah Ferguson was an all-state guard for Timberland High in Stephens, S.C., after averaging 19.1points, 6.8rebounds and 4.6 assists. Kaitlyn Elsholz, a 5-11wing, averaged 12.2points and 5.3rebounds at Sandra Day O'Connor High in Phoenix. Talo Li-Uperesa arrives from City College of San Francisco, where the 5-11forward was named conference MVP for the second consecutive season after leading it in in scoring (20.6ppg).

Coach's quote: “I think we have a little chip on our shoulders. They're practicing with a little edge right now and we have nothing to lose. They're going to come out hard, we're going to play hard every game and I think at some point we'll have a chance to surprise a few people.” — Carlene Mitchell

LONG BEACH STATE Coach: Amy Wright, first season

Last season: 23-10, 17-3 conference

Who's back: LBSU, after its first 20-win season since 2016-17, is facing a rebuild. Big West Coach of the Year Jeff Cammon was lured to Saint Mary's. LBSU returns just five players with playing experience and none who started a game. Savannah Tucker, a 5-9guard, is the top returning scorer (2.5ppg), while guard Patricia Chung and forward Kennan Ka are the only two returners who suited up for every game last season.

Who's gone: Long Beach lost its top six scorers. Tori Harris, the Big West Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year after averaging a team-high 13.4points, Malia Bambrick, Ma'Qhi Berry and Courtney Murphy completed their eligibility. Big West Defensive Player of the Year Kristyna Jeskeova headed to Grand Canyon and Kianna Hamilton transferred to Portland.

Who's new: Lovely Sonnier, a 6-foot guard, was second in scoring (9.1 ppg) at South Carolina State and tops in rebounding, assists, steals and blocked shots. Sydney Woodley, a 5-8 guard, redshirted last year after one season at Cal State Northridge. Jada Crawshaw is a 6-2freshman from Australia with junior national team experience.

Coach's quote: “It's going to be a different style. I'm asking them to give me four minutes of fast but furious run-and-gun, and get up and guard, at a time and then I'm going to try and get them a two-minute break and get them back in. During that two minutes, I'm going to need other people to step up and play with the exact same intensity, the exact same energy and pace.” — Amy Wright

UC IRVINE

Coach: Tamara Inoue, eighth season

Last season: 25-7, 16-2 conference

Who's back: The Anteaters return a wealth of experience after winning their first Big West regular-season title. Diaba Konate is back at point guard after averaging 8.7points, 3.6 assists and 2.2steals as a junior and making the All-Big West defensive team. Deja Lee (8.5 ppg) and Nikki Tom (8.1ppg) also return in the backcourt. Up front, Nevaeh Parkinson (7.2ppg) was the Big West's Best Sixth Player last season.

Who's gone: Knee injuries last year took down Olivia Williams and leading scorer Hunter Hernandez last year, and both are expected to redshirt as they continue to recover. Despite missing the last six conference games, Hernandez was voted to the All-Big West first team. Naomi Hunt completed her eligibility after averaging 11.7points and 4.9rebounds.

Who's new: Moulayna Johnson Sidi Baba is a 6-1forward from Sweden who played the past four seasons for Miami. Also arriving are 5-11 freshman guard Haley Hernandez, the younger sister of Hunter Hernandez, and 5-9freshman guard Shirel Nahum, who played for Israel in the 2023FIBA U18Women's European Championship and was the tournament's fifth-leading scorer at 17ppg. Coach's quote: “Practices have been going a little faster than normal, just because I have a very junior-senior base with a couple freshman pieces. So, for me, it's exciting, I'm looking forward to it. I think the culture is pretty strong. I get to now do more coaching on the X's and O's side, so that's been a joy for me.” — Tamara Inoue

UC RIVERSIDE

Coach: Nicole Powell, fourth season

Last season: 6-26, 3-17 conference

Who's back: The Highlanders return four of their top five scorers. Jordan Webster, a 5-10guard, led Riverside in scoring at 12.9 ppg. Matehya Bryant also returns after averaging 9.5 points and a team-high 7.1rebounds. RyAnne Walters, Zoe Tillery, Jordyn Marshall, Julia Stenberg and India Aikins each made starts last season.

Who's gone: Anna Blount averaged eight points and 4.6rebounds in her final season of eligibility. Mele Finau is also finished after making 24starts last season. Riverside also lost 6-4 forward Hanna Hansson, who transferred to Furman.

Who's new: Makayla Jackson arrives from Stanislaus State, where the guard led the California Collegiate Athletic Association in scoring last season at 19.4ppg. The Highlanders also added Jaden Sanderson from Long Beach City College, where she was a first-team all-conference guard after averaging 16.4points and 7.5 rebounds.

Player's quote: “I feel like our biggest thing is to stay together, stay poised and take the game one possession at a time. (An opponent) might go on a run, but if we can sever that and stay together, then we'll be right there.” — Jordan Webster