Warriors fall short to Panthers, 55-46

On Friday, January 8, the Fallbrook boys’ varsity basketball team hosted the Vista Panthers. It was a packed house as the Warriors looked to continue a solid season. The game remained close until turnovers finally became a plague for Fallbrook as they fell to the Panthers, 55-46.

In the first quarter, Vista was given open looks and Panther Stephen Que took advantage as he knocked down shots to quickly establish himself as a threat. Fallbrook’s Danny Bashara also heated up as he scored 7 of 9 Warrior first quarter points. Vista led 13-9 at the end of the first quarter.

Fallbrook finally found their rhythm in the second quarter. Both Warrior point guards, Taylor Berryman and Seth Jorde, led the charge as they created open shots for their teammates and for themselves. At halftime, the Warriors stole the lead, 24-23.

Vista used the third quarter to regain their swagger. Sophomores Patrick Johnson and Sedrick Childress were key contributors for the Panthers both offensively and defensively. Fallbrook turned the ball over at crucial moments of the third period, and Vista gained several offensive rebounds, which led to second chance points. The Warriors were outscored 17-13 in the third quarter putting the Panthers in the driver’s seat again, 40-37.

Fallbrook’s turnover woes continued in the final quarter. The proficient shooting of the Panthers ultimately allowed them to seal the game. The Warriors dropped their third straight game by a score of 55-46.

For the Panthers, Stephen Que and Sedrick Childress led the team with 17 points apiece. Que entered the game averaging 21 points a game and Childress entered the game averaging a double-double. Earlier this season, Que set a single-game scoring record for the Panthers by dropping 57 points.

For the Warriors, Bashara led all scorers with 18 points. Berryman showed great effort as he drew two charges for Fallbrook. Brian Gordon played an excellent game as he scored 13 points and had 8 rebounds.

“I thought we played three pretty good quarters. We just fell apart in the fourth quarter,” said Gordon.

After the game, Fallbrook coach Jeff Brandow added, “I was really proud of how hard they played. We played really good basketball for two and a half, almost three, quarters. At the end there, they [Vista] went on an 18-3 run and we turned the ball over seven times, and in the last ten minutes of the game, we turned the ball over ten times.”

The Warriors are in the midst of a tough five-game stretch which includes Elsinore, Vista, Carlsbad and powerhouses, Torrey Pines and La Costa Canyon.

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