Battle of the Torreys: LJCDS Packs the Stands to Watch Plum and Paopao Share the WNBA Stage
LJCDS celebrates a historic WNBA matchup as 85 community members cheer on alumnae Kelsey Plum ’13 and Te-Hina Paopao ’20.
In a night that fused pride, legacy, and inspiration, La Jolla Country Day School sent 85 members of its community, including students, parents, coaches, teachers, staff, and alumni, to Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 27, to witness two of their own—Kelsey Plum ’13 and Te-Hina Paopao ’20—face off in a nationally televised WNBA game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Atlanta Dream. Branded the Battle of the Torreys, the event was more than just a game; it was a celebration of where hard work, belief, and community-rooted growth can lead.
The LJCDS contingent didn’t simply attend. They showed up in force. Clad in a wave of Torrey blue shirts, the group stood out visually and vocally throughout the arena. Their presence was even recognized on-air by announcers, who noted that PaoPao and Plum’s high school was in the building.
Before tipoff, the group received exclusive early access to the arena, catching a private glimpse of Plum’s on-court warmup routine. For many students, it was their first time seeing a professional women’s basketball game up close, and for all, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see two Torrey legends share the same stage.
What made the moment even more extraordinary was its rarity: two alumnae from the same small, independent school not only making it to the WNBA but sharing the floor as opponents. In a league of just 13 teams and fewer than 150 roster spots, the odds of a single school producing one WNBA athlete are slim. Producing two who go on to compete against each other on a national stage is nearly unheard of.
“To have our team in the arena for this moment was incredibly special,” said LJCDS Women’s Basketball Head Coach Terri Bamford. “We talk about goals and growth all the time, but to witness two former Torreys competing professionally—it made everything real for our girls.”
Plum, a seasoned WNBA All-Star, Olympic gold medalist, and two-time league champion, recently joined the Sparks, bringing her trademark intensity to the court. She has become a household name in the world of women’s basketball, renowned for both her exceptional scoring ability and her leadership on and off the court. In January of this year, Plum became the first women’s basketball player in the University of Washington’s history to have her jersey retired—an honor marking her record-breaking NCAA career, where she finished with 3,527 points and a single-season scoring record of 1,109.
On the other side of the court stood Paopao, a standout rookie for the Dream, who was selected 18th overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft. After an impressive college career split between the University of Oregon and the University of South Carolina, where she helped lead her team to the NCAA Final Four, Paopao has quickly established herself as a poised, high-IQ player ready to make an impact in the league.
Coach Bamford shared a story that underscored just how far both players have come. Years ago, when Plum returned to campus, she jumped into a pickup game with a young Paopao. Plum, confident and casual, began defending Paopao—without bothering to tie her shoes. Seconds later, Paopao crossed her over and drove past her with ease. Plum called a timeout to tie her shoes. The next round was more competitive.
“That moment told me everything I needed to know about both of them,” Bamford said. “Te-Hina showed she belonged with the best. And Kelsey, being who she is, respected that immediately. To see both of them now, side by side at the WNBA level—it’s truly a full-circle moment.”
As the current game unfolded, Plum delivered a strong performance, showing the confidence and fire that have come to define her career. Paopao, meanwhile, played with grace, joy, and composure, proving she belongs on the floor with the league’s best.
“She’s playing free, like she’s back in high school again,” Bamford said, smiling. “That’s the beauty of seeing Te-Hina out there. She looks like she’s having fun, like she’s exactly where she’s supposed to be.”
For the students in the stands, the experience offered something deeper than just excitement—it planted belief. Isabelle Miller ’26, a member of the LJCDS basketball team, said the night left a lasting impact.
“It means so much. I got to see how far the WNBA has come. It really shows that girls can look up to their idols and think, ‘Wow, that could be me someday.’ It’s really cool to be here and see that happening. I’ve had a chance to meet Kelsey Plum before. She came to one of our practices and gave us a motivational talk about what it takes to make it to the WNBA, go pro, and get into college. It was really great to meet her and hear what she had to say.”
Head of School Jeff Terwin, Ph.D., reflected on the event’s significance for the entire community.
“We show up for our alumni, and our alumni show up for us. It’s a pretty special night. The excitement on our students’ faces knowing they get to be part of something like this is exactly why we do what we do.
“Kelsey is definitely a leader on the court. I love that she does all the little things—distributes the ball, plays tough defense—and you can just feel her competitive spirit. We’ve heard before that she’s one of the toughest competitors Country Day has ever seen, and tonight we saw that firsthand.”
Athletic Director Jeff Hutzler recognized more than the sports angle.
“Hearing the announcer call out that Te-Hina and Kelsey’s high school was in the building was very cool. I think an event like this shows our current girls what’s possible. With hard work, some talent, and the right mindset, they can go far. Kelsey and Te-Hina were amazing on the court, but they’re even better off the court. They’re great young women. If that’s the formula—talent, work ethic, and character—you can get to where you want to go.”
Parent and LJCDS assistant basketball coach Gino Sugapong, who watched his daughter Sumayah Sugapong ’23 play with Paopao a few years ago, also reflected on the moment:
“Seeing Kelsey and Te-Hina play against each other, guarding each other on the court, was really cool. When my daughter, Sumayah, played with Te-Hina, Kelsey would show up at practices, give them pointers, and go at it with Te-Hina. So to see both of them out there on a WNBA court? That was something special. And it shows our girls that there’s another level. They’ve seen what kind of work it takes. Te-Hina put in the effort every single day, every practice. And she’s still doing it. It makes that next level feel real and possible.”
After the final buzzer, the LJCDS group was invited down to the court for a private postgame moment. Plum and Paopao greeted the team warmly, offering hugs, encouragement, and a few words of wisdom. The night ended with a group photo under the arena lights—a lasting image of the past, present, and future of Torrey basketball all in one frame.
“What I’ll remember most?” Miller remarked, “Is how many people are starting to support women’s basketball. The crowd was loud and big, and it’s so heartwarming to see that kind of support. I loved it.”
Plum delivered a standout performance with 27 points, shooting 10-of-20 from the field, including 4-of-9 from three-point range, along with five assists and four steals. Paopao contributed four points, two rebounds, and an assist in just over six minutes of play. The Atlanta Dream came out victorious in a 88-82 win over the LA Sparks.
For a school of La Jolla Country Day's size, the moment was historic. The Battle of the Torreys was more than just a clever nickname; it was living proof of what’s possible when talent is nurtured in a community committed to developing leaders. This was not just a night of basketball; it was a celebration of how far you can go with a community behind you.
Footnote: Continuing the Torrey Legacy
La Jolla Country Day School’s basketball legacy continues beyond the WNBA stage. Sumayah Sugapong ’23 recently led the UC San Diego Tritons to their first-ever Big West Women’s Basketball Championship, earning Big West Tournament MVP honors along the way. Sugapong recently announced her transfer to NCAA basketball powerhouse University of Arizona.
And with players like Plum and Paopao continuing to make headlines on the national stage, the next generation of Torreys has no shortage of role models.
