Girls basketball players Murphy, Ahmadpour, Rubalcava named all-league

The 10 Valley League girls basketball players who received 2015-16 all-league honors included three members of the Fallbrook High School team.

Colleen Murphy was selected to the first team. The second team included Sara Ahmadpour and Jaycee Rubalcava.

“Pretty good accomplishment for the girls,” Fallbrook coach Dan Bachman said of having three of his players being chosen for all-league recognition. “It’s just a testament to their work ethic and their talent level.”

Fallbrook was one of two Valley League teams with three all-league players. Ramona had two first-team players, including league player of the year Chiara Mattern, and one second-team selection. Oceanside and Valley Center each had one first-team player and one player with second-team designation.

Murphy led the Warriors in rebounds, steals, and blocked shots while ranking third on the team in points per game. "Just did a lot of things that we ask of an all-league first-team player," Bachman said. "It's very well deserved."

If the Warriors did not have a large lead which warranted resting starters and giving playing time to reserves, Murphy was usually on the court for most of the game's minutes. "She had the ability to do that and really allowed our guards the freedom to do what they do because she was such a force inside."

Murphy made the transition from a bench player in 2014-15 to a starter for the recently-completed season. "Just a great kid," Bachman said. "We couldn't have done what we did without her for sure."

Ahmadpour averaged 10.4 points per game, and on 58 occasions she was successful on a three-point shot. "I think she set the single-season record for three-pointers made in a season," Bachman said. "She was a big three-point threat for us."

Ahmadpour also contributed when she was not shooting the ball. "She could get rebounds and help us run the offense," Bachman said.

"Her shooting from the outside and Colleen shooting from the inside was a nice combination to have," Bachman said. "Having that inside-outside punch available to us worked out very well."

Rubalcava led the team with an average of 10.9 points per game. “She was able to distribute the ball when necessary,” said Bachman. “She could score. She created her own shots. She could control the game as a point guard.”

Ahmadpour played the shooting guard position and Murphy was the Warriors' center. “They could all play together, and they did play together most of the game,” Bachman said. “That was definitely a key component of our success.”

Ramona won the Valley League championship with a 10-0 league record. Fallbrook's 8-2 league mark gave the Warriors second place in the standings, and Fallbrook's 66-57 and 53-42 losses to Ramona constituted two of the Bulldogs' three closest games during league play. A 46-44 loss to Olympian in the first round of the CIF Division II playoffs finalized Fallbrook's overall record at 16-5.

Ahmadpour was the only sophomore to receive all-league recognition from the Valley League coaches. Rubalcava, Mattern, and second-team selection Jadan Paopao of Oceanside were the only juniors. The other six all-league players, including Murphy, are seniors.

"Both second-team players are returning next year, so that definitely bodes very well," Bachman said.