CIF water polo playoffs elude Fallbrook

Twelve boys’ water polo teams were chosen to participate in the CIF Division II playoffs. The selections and seedings were based on power rankings, and since Fallbrook High School was 13th among Division II schools in the power rankings the Warriors did not receive a playoff berth.

“A game or two was probably the difference,” Fallbrook coach Bill Richardson said.

Fallbrook had an overall record of 11-17. The Warriors were 3-2 in Valley League play to take third place in the final six-team standings.

The Warriors’ final tournament of the season was the Oct. 15-17 San Diego Open which added one win and four losses to Fallbrook’s season record.

“We were in the higher division of that tournament,” Richardson said.

Twelve players were on Fallbrook’s 2019 roster. Seven of those were seniors, including one who missed most of the season due to an injury, but only two of those seniors were starters this year.

“The bulk of the team is returning, a lot of young talent,” Richardson said. “I’m looking forward to bouncing back over the next couple of years.”

The 2020 team may include some players from this year’s junior varsity team, which posted a 12-12 overall record.

“They have a long way to go,” Richardson said. “Another year of physical growth will really help.”