Four Warriors given all-league girls basketball distinction

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

Four members of Fallbrook High School's girls basketball team were given all-league recognition by the Avocado League coaches.

Claire Nordeen was chosen to be a member of the Avocado League second team. Harley Benitez, Brooke Quintana and Liz Villagran were honorable mention selections.

"Disappointed because Claire should have made first team and Brooke and Harley should have made second team," Fallbrook coach Trae Harrison said.

Last year Fallbrook was in the Valley League and won the league championship. Nordeen was on the 2021-2022 Valley League first team while Quintana and Villagran received honorable mention distinction.

Fallbrook was moved to the Avocado League for 2022-2023, and the Warriors had a 4-6 Avocado League record to place fourth in the standings. Fallbrook's 16-14 overall record includes a win in the first round of the CIF Division I playoffs and a loss in the playoff quarterfinals.

"It's hard to fight these things when you come in fourth place," Harrison said. "Because we were fourth, we didn't get any first team."

Although Harrison is disappointed that Nordeen was not chosen for the first team, he still praised her performance.

"I'm proud of the kid," Harrison said.

Nordeen is a junior and will likely reach both 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds for her high school career as she is within 150 points and 150 rebounds of the thousand mark.

During Fallbrook's 10 Avocado League games this season Nordeen scored 158 points, grabbed 90 offensive rebounds and 80 defensive rebounds for a total of 170, dished out 25 assists, had 27 steals and deflected 26 passes.

"Claire is honestly every coach's dream," Harrison said. "I would take her over nine out of 10 players that I've had in my career."

As a freshman in 2020-2021 Nordeen received honorable mention all-league recognition from the Valley League coaches.

Benitez, Quintana, and Villagran are all seniors. In league competition, Benitez had 27 points, 70 rebounds, 10 assists, nine steals, nine blocked shots and 12 deflections. Quintana scored 108 points, pulled down 30 rebounds, contributed 36 assists, obtained 36 steals and deflected 37 passes during league play. Villagran had 70 points against league opposition along with 29 rebounds, 13 assists, 14 steals and 12 deflections.