Warrior girls basketball reaches CIF playoffs - Close loss at Poway in first round

For the first time in six years Fallbrook High School’s girls basketball team reached the CIF playoffs.

The Lady Warriors were given the 15th seed in the CIF Division I post-season tournament and ended their season with a 56-48 loss Feb. 19 to #2 seed Poway in the Titans’ gym.

“It was a huge step for the program to get back. We knocked on the door last year, but we kicked our way in this year, so we’re very, very happy about getting in,” said Fallbrook coach Dan Bachman.

The Warriors finished the regular season with an 11-14 record - and a 62-45 home victory Feb. 15 against El Camino. “We felt it was a must-win - who knows if it really was or not,” Bachman said. “The girls rose to the occasion. We played a great game.”

On Jan. 25 the Warriors lost to El Camino in overtime on the Wildcats’ court. “We were able to turn the tables,” Bachman said. “It was satisfying kind of avenging that loss.”

Two Warrior girls fouled out during the first game against El Camino. “We made a concerted effort not to let that happen,” Bachman said. “We needed to adjust our play I think just slightly, so we used that as a learning experience that helped us out the second time.”

Bachman noted that the victory was in a critical situation with added pressure. “It was a big step for the program,” he said.

“The girls didn’t shy away from it. They were excited about it,” Bachman said. “I was extremely proud of their effort and the fact that they were looking forward to the challenge, not shying away from it.”

Fallbrook thus ended the season with a 2-8 record in Avocado West League play after taking a 9-6 mark into the league competition portion of the season.

The CIF playoff seeding and selection meeting was held February 16. The top four seeds are official while seeding for the rest of the 16-team bracket may be juggled to prevent league opponents from playing each other in the first round. “We may have been seeded even higher,” Bachman said of the Warriors’ 15th seed.

The Avocado West League includes third-seeded Rancho Buena Vista and #4 seed Vista, which ruled out the 13th or 14th seed for a league opponent. Fifth-seeded Mission Hills is in the Avocado East League and opened the playoffs against 12th-seeded Carlsbad, which took a 12-15 overall record into the post-season.

“It was between us and Carlsbad for the 12 seed,” Bachman said.

Fallbrook and Carlsbad split their two Avocado West League games. The Lancers had three league wins, as they had defeated El Camino twice. “I think that was the ultimate determining factor,” Bachman said.

That pitted Fallbrook against the second seed to open the playoffs. “Regardless you’ve got to win four times to win the title. It doesn’t matter what order you play them in,” Bachman said. “We almost got them, anyway.”

The Warriors trailed Poway by three points with two minutes to go. A three-point shot which could have tied the game hit the back of the rim. “You never know what happens at that point,” Bachman said about the possibility of a successful three-pointer.

The Titans were more successful from behind the three-point line near the end of the game. “Poway hit two big threes in the last couple of minutes,” Bachman said.

“Even though it was a loss I was absolutely happy with the way we played,” Bachman said. “As an overall team effort offensively and defensively we played a solid game, we executed our game plan.”

While Poway advanced to the Division I quarterfinals, Fallbrook ended its season with an 11-15 record.

“I can’t fault the effort or the execution of the girls at all. It was a well-played game,” Bachman said. “We played a really good basketball game. We played a good team, and it really could have gone either way.”

Poway entered the playoffs with a 20-7 overall record. “The girls were not intimidated at all. They went out and played a great game,” Bachman said.

“We represented Fallbrook and Fallbrook basketball very well at that game,” Bachman said. “I couldn’t be prouder of their effort.”

Fallbrook’s previous playoff game was a 56-46 loss to Helix in the 2006-07 CIF Division I semifinals. “The most important thing is we got a chance to test ourselves against playoff teams,” Bachman said.

“It was really gratifying. It was disappointing, don’t get me wrong, but it was gratifying to play our best basketball against El Camino and Poway,” Bachman said. “We ended the season playing really good basketball.”

During the summer Bachman was diagnosed with melanoma on the bottom of his foot. A skin graft was performed July 11 but was not successful. Bachman had a second skin graft surgery November 15 and missed part of the pre-season practice due to his recovery. He also missed practices during the season due to medical appointments. “In a year that has been pretty difficult for me personally I just really appreciate the effort of the coaching staff and the girls,” he said.

Assistant coaches Tony Morrow and Chris Southard took over coaching duties in Bachman’s absence. “They were invaluable,” Bachman said. “I can’t thank them enough.”

Bachman postponed a semi-annual body scan until the day after the playoff loss.

The Warriors had five wins in four seasons before finishing 12-13 in 2011-12. “This group we’ve cultivated at Fallbrook is coming together, working hard,” Bachman said. “It was a real special year to be a part of.”