Banquet recognizes Warriors boys basketball players

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

The post-season banquet for Fallbrook High School’s boys basketball program was held Sunday, March 12, at El Parque.

“It was great. We had a really good time,” Fallbrook varsity head coach Jonathan Terry said.

The Heart of the Warrior Award, which is given for character and integrity, was presented to senior Reese Holmes.

“Just hard-working, well-respected,” Terry said. “I think he’s a fine young man.”

Holmes is considering trying out for the Palomar College basketball team.

“Hopefully he will go on to play college ball,” Terry said.

Samuel Carmona was given the Defensive Player of the Year award. Carmona is a junior. “He had a really good year. We’re looking forward to his senior season for sure,” Terry said.

Maliki Brotherton, who received the Offensive Player of the Year award, is also a junior. “I think this is going to be his breakout year,” Terry said.

Fallbrook finished the 2022-2023 season with a 12-15 overall record which includes a loss in the first round of the CIF Division III playoffs. The Warriors were 5-3 in Valley League play and shared second place in the final league standings.

“I think we’re going to have a pretty strong team next year,” Terry said.

The players selected the Heart of the Warrior Award, Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Play of the Year recipients. The school conferred academic awards upon seniors Kaleb Collings and Ashton Hanna, both of whom have grade point averages exceeding 3.5.

“Really exciting about that,” Terry said. The team GPA was 3.3. “We’re really proud of our guys,” Terry said.

Collings and Hanna were recognized for their academic achievement at the banquet. All of the players received certificates.

“Everybody got an award,” Terry said.

The banquet also included presentation of awards to Fallbrook’s junior varsity players. Cedric Smith received the junior varsity Heart of the Warrior Award, Elliott Watkins was the Defensive Player of the Year and Petey Pizzo took home the Offensive Player of the Year award.