Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Eric (Ej) Warrick of Mt. Diablo High
Eric (Ej) Warrick
School: Mt. Diablo High
Grade: Senior
Sport: Basketball
CONCORD, CA (Mar. 3, 2025) — When you are a senior and your team loses every game, it is difficult to keep a positive attitude, but Mt. Diablo High varsity basketball coach Patrick Lefiti knows he had such a player this year in guard Ej Warrick. The Red Devils coach was quick to nominate Warrick for this spotlight. “I believe Ej deserves to be recognized because he is sticking it out for a program that is in the midst of rebuilding. Our program and team did not reach the level of success we/he was hoping for this year. However, Ej has not wavered in his commitment. He has been our best player by far and, in many games, probably the best player on the court for both teams.”
Warrick averaged nearly 15 points a game this season on a team that scored less than 30 points in 10 games. This was his second varsity season at the Concord school. He spent his freshman year in independent study before enrolling at Mt. Diablo as a sophomore but did not join the basketball program until last year. In his youth he also played football and soccer but concentrated on basketball in high school. He says, “My senior year of basketball was a great experience for me that I wouldn’t take back because, even though we didn’t have the winning season that we wanted and dealt with a lot of people quitting, I didn’t let that stop me from continuing to strive towards my goal for basketball which is to play at next level, which is collegiate ball.
“This season also helped me build a stronger mindset than last year. I definitely feel like I could’ve performed better for myself and my team if it wasn’t for the injuries.” He adds that he plans to continue playing at a local community college like DVC or Los Medanos, and “continue striving for my basketball dream to be able to play at the highest level of basketball (D1-D3). Also, I want to further my education in college by studying electrical engineering.” Late in the season his coach concurs. “I feel for Ej because we are not winning, but I believe his basketball career does not stop here. He has potential to play at the next-level and beyond. This year was tough for him, physically and mentally, but it will help shape him into the player he needs to be to be most successful.”
The Pioneer congratulates Ej and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry.
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.
Jay Bedecarré
Jay Bedecarré is a long-time resident and writer in Concord and Clayton. He began his newspaper writing career while still a senior at Mt. Diablo High School and he has been part of The Pioneer since its inception in 2003. Jay also operates Bay Area Festivals, presenting events around the San Francisco Bay Area including Bay Area KidFest annually in Downtown Concord.