USC Women's Basketball: Why Kaylas' Old High School Coach Still Can't Bring Herself To Root For Trojans

"I’m rooting for the Kaylas."

Watching players achieve their dreams is a coach's dream but Kayla Padilla and Kayla Williams' high school coach is having a hard time cheering for their team.

The former teammates at Torrance Bishop Montgomery High and current USC Trojans played for UCLA legend and Hall of Famer Noelle Quinn.

“I’m rooting for the Kaylas," Quinn allowed. "I am forever a Bruin. I will never, ever commit to rooting for the Trojans.”

Thuc Nhi Nguyen The Los Angeles Times

USC and UCLA begin their quest for a Pac-12 Tournament title on Thursday. USC will first face No. 10-seed Washington or No. 7 Arizona at 6 p.m. PT in the quarterfinals at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. UCLA plays No. 6 Utah or No. 11 Arizona State at 8:30 p.m. PT.

The Bruins haven't won the conference since Quinn while the Trojans secured their highest-ever seeding in the conference tournament.

Watching their magical season unfold has been "a coach's dream," for Quinn.

Quinn is now the head coach for the WNBA's Seattle Storm and traveled back to Los Angeles for senior night. She watched her former players step up like she knew they would but the one thing she wanted most for them was to leave an impact.

As she watched them sign autographs after a loss on their senior night, Quinn realized that their mission was accomplished.