San Diego, CA

The 2024 Recruiting Road So Far: San Diego State

Published

2 years ago

January 1, 2024

Welcome to the eighth piece of our twelve-part series that hopefully makes the dead period go by a bit quicker. These articles aim to provide a detailed look at what each team has done thus far on the recruiting trail and what work still needs to be put in before NLI day in February. One team a day will be featured this year in alphabetical order. Today will look at San Diego State.

San Diego State:

San Diego State was boasting a new-look offense and were expected to be one of the top teams in the conference and potentially even compete for a conference championship. Instead, they put together their worst campaign since 2009. After beating Ohio and Idaho State to begin the year, the Aztecs suffered four straight losses, including two in conference play. They rebounded to beat Hawaii, but then had another four-game losing streak, including an embarrassing one to Nevada in which they went scoreless. Somehow, they beat Fresno State with one of their best games of the season, but it was too little, too late. An announcement was made that Brady Hoke would be retiring and SDSU was at a crossroads to end the season.

Sean Lewis was hired shortly after, and he kept most of the recruiting class intact and then had a great few weeks leading up to signing day, putting together a very strong class. Read why below.

The Road So Far:

San Diego State signed 25 players in the December signing period, the highest in the conference aside from Air Force. 16 play on offense, while 9 are coming to play defense. As usually, most of the signees come from California, although not as much as usual with 10 players this cycle. They also dipped into Washington, Arizona, Texas, Indiana, and even American Samoa. This class was a heavier than normal on transfers once Coach Lewis came in, with 9 plus a junior college player. The other ten are from high school.

Starting with the offense, they signed both a high schooler, Danny O’Neil, and transfer, AJ Duffy, and both are talented enough to assume the starting role. Similar things hold true at running back where it’s hard to say who is more talented, Anthony McMillian, or Cincere Rhaney. The wide receiver room features a trio of talented but different high school players. Will Cianfrini possesses height and great hands, Isaiah Buxton is dynamic and can make big plays while Ben Scolari had a very productive high school career as someone who can do a bit of everything. This doesn’t even count the two transfers at the position, Nate Bennett and Ja’Shaun Poke. It’s safe to say the WR room will be very different next season. A similar influx of talent occurs at tight end, where Arthur Ban and Ryan Wolfer both have great size and Gabe Garretson from junior college will bring the experience. The offensive line boasts four signees, two high schoolers and two transfers. Kai Holec is as solid as they come for future tackles, while Saipale Fuimaono will be a bit raw as he adjusts to playing stateside. To help bridge the gap, transfers Brayden Bryant and Nate Williams are being brought in to play early.

Jumping over to the defense, Kodi Cornelius and transfer Marlem Louis will man the interior of the defensive line in both the immediate and not-too-distant future. Meanwhile, Ryan Gaea will play on the edge and has the prototypical size for that spot. Danny Niu is a quick linebacker, but the real focus by the coaching staff was defensive back, where they added six players. Prince Williams and Tayten Beyer should have no issue at the corner spots while the crown jewel of this class, Jason Mitchell II can play anywhere in the secondary but might thrive in the Aztec position if they continue that scheme. A trio of transfers fills out the defense, with Bryce Phillips, Zach Morris, and William Nimmo Jr all likely being penciled in for immediate playing time at different spots in the secondary.

Number who signed in December: 26

Number who will enroll early: 11

247 Composite Rankings:

Overall: 81st
Recruiting: 79th
Transfer: 74th

The Road Ahead:

Top Targets Remaining: EDGE, LB

San Diego State did some tremendous work in the class of 2024, but some work still remains. They currently have one of the best classes in the Mountain West thanks to their work over the course of the year and the past few weeks, and have a nice balance of talented transfers and now look to finish things off.

There are a few positions that the Aztecs can add to between now and February, even though the bulk of the work is done. The offense is pretty much complete, although the team likely wouldn’t say no if the right transfer player at any position came along. However, the Aztecs are short on edge rushers in this class so far. Good defenses can never have enough players getting after the quarterback, so look for them to add one, or maybe two EDGE players in the transfer portal. Likewise, the class is noticeably light on linebackers and adding either a high school player or a transfer makes sense.

All in all, San Diego State has assembled a great class so far. While they do need additions to finish off the class, there is nothing wrong with the 25 signees at this point. The 2024 version of the Aztecs should be much improved from what was seen in 2023.

Previous Posts: Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico

Coming next: San Jose State

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San Diego, CA

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

Published

10 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

San Diego County is known for having wet, cold weather in February. But it had numerous hot spells this year. And when the month ended on Saturday a high pressure system produced heat that broke or tied temperature records in nine communities from the desert to the sea, the National Weather Service said.

The most notable temperature occurred in Borrego Springs, which reached 99, five degrees higher than the previous record for Feb. 28, set in 1986. The 99 reading is also the highest temperature ever recorded in Borrego in February.

Escondido reached 95, tying a record set in 1901.

El Cajon reached 92, three degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Ramona topped out at 88, five degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Alpine hit 88, four degrees higher the record set in 1986.

Campo reached 87, four degrees higher than the record set in 1999.

Vista hit 86, four degrees higher than the record set in 2020.

Chula Vista reached 84, one degree higher than the record set in 2020.

Lake Cuyamaca rose to 76, four degrees higher than the record set in 1986.

Forecasters say the weather is not likely to broadly produce new highs on Sunday. Cooler air is moving to the coast, and on Monday, San Diego’s high will only reach 67, a degree above normal.

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San Diego, CA

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

Published

22 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

OCEANSIDE — The Frontwave Arena scoreboard showed 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Up 16, Francis Parker’s win over Westview High School for the CIF San Diego Section Open Division girls basketball championship was secure.

“No, no, no!” Parker head coach Courtney Clements screamed to freshman guard Jordan Brown, telling her there was no need to score.

So Brown walked the ball up the floor, from the backcourt, across midcourt, a 1,000-watt smile etched across her face.

With no Wolverines defending her, Brown dribbled from side to side across the logo. Then, a fraction of a moment before the final buzzer sounded, Brown flung the basketball high toward the rafters, then was engulfed by teammates.

The job was complete. Parker’s first Open Division title in program history was secure, the final reading 66-50 on Saturday night.

Of those final seconds, said Brown, who scored 23 points. “It was a surreal moment, knowing we worked for this all year long. It’s amazing.”

One reason it was amazing was because the top-seeded Lancers (21-7) were a decided favorite, but were stressed by the sixth-seeded Wolverines (20-9). Led by UC Santa Barbara-bound senior guard Sarah Heyn (18 points in the first half), Westview led 35-28 early in the third quarter.

“I just knew I had to do whatever it took to win,” said Brown. “Whether that was defense or offense. I just wanted to win, period.”

Sparked by its defense, Parker closed the quarter on a 14-0 run. Westview’s final 11 possessions of the quarter ended with five missed shots and six turnovers.

Still, the game wasn’t over. Heyn cut the deficit to 48-44 with just over six minutes to play on a bucket. But with 5:47 to play, Heyn was whistled for her fifth foul on a reach-in.

“Knowing their best player fouled out, we sealed the win,” said Brown.

As for Heyn, who finished with 23 points, she sat on the bench and pulled her jersey over her eyes, hiding tears.

Clements’ thoughts when Heyn fouled out? “I hope we can put this game away now.”

Francis Parker High’s Jordan Brown shoots against Westview High during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

That the Lancers did, outscoring Westview 18-6 down the stretch.

The Lancers’ players and coach were effusive in their praise for Heyn, a four-year starter.

“She’s a great player,” said Brown.

“She played phenomenally,” said Clements. “She played the way you would think a senior would play in a championship game. She played desperately. She played every possession like it was the last 20 seconds of the game. She was extremely impressive. (Heyn buried five 3s, missing only once from deep.) She should be proud of herself.”

Clements was proud of her team for another reason. After blowing out two-time reigning Open Division champion Mission Hills by 26 in the semis, some thought Parker might cruise in the title game.

“I figured it was going to be a fight, and it was,” said Clements. “It was good that our girls had to come together, had to stick together. That’s what this is all about, developing character via the sport of basketball. When the kids face adversity, they have to make a decision. Who do they want to be? They showed the best version of themselves. That’s what I want to remember from a game like this.”

Francis Parker’s primary color is brown, which is fitting for the girls basketball team. They are led not only by the freshman Jordan Brown, but also junior Brieana Brown, a strong, aggressive and athletic 5-foot-11 wing.

Brieana Brown scored 25 points and yanked down a team-best eight rebounds.

About the team in brown being led by the Browns (who are not related), Jordan Brown said: “It’s super cool. I love Bri and our story. So many people think we’re related, that we’re siblings. In reality, we’re not, but we play like it.”

Francis Parker High's Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune) — Francis Parker High’s Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Francis Parker and Westview both will advance to the Southern California Regionals.

Earlier in the season, Clements — who was dressed in all black for the championship game — confessed she wasn’t crazy about Parker’s primary color. Her mood shifted Saturday night.

“Brown’s doing well for me now,” she said.

Asked if Lancers’ Brown squared tandem represents the best one-two girls basketball punch in the San Diego Section, Clements gave the questioner a “What do you think?” smirk.

“That,” said the coach of the Open Division champions, “is a no-brainer.”

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