Boys: Talented Pioneers replace Harvard-Westlake as region’s dominant team.

The three-year reign of Harvard-Westlake High as the region’s dominant basketball team is over. The Collins twins are off to Stanford, clearing the way for Simi Valley to move front and center.

Not since the days of Don MacLean in the late 1980s have the Pioneers had a team with as much size, strength and scoring ability as this season’s group of players.

“They say there are CIF rules against playing a college team, and Simi Valley is as close as you get,” Chaminade Coach Jeff Young said.

The Pioneers aren’t just shooting for a Marmonte League title--their season would be considered a disappointment without a Southern Section Division I-AA championship.

Of course, Long Beach Poly stands in the way, and the Simi Valley players know it. That’s why they are going to prepare all season for their inevitable playoff showdown with the Jackrabbits.

“It’s the one game we’re going to be getting ready for,” Simi Valley center Rafael Berumen said.

Berumen, a 6-foot-9 junior, was The Times’ Ventura County player of the year last season when he averaged 23 points and 10.7 rebounds.

He has added some muscle--he’s up to 235 pounds-- and has increased his shooting range and improved his defense.

His greatest strength, though, remains underneath the basket. Once he catches the ball in the low post, there are few players in the region capable of preventing him from scoring. Oh, he’ll miss a shot or two, but he’ll usually get the rebound and put it in.

“He’s very skilled around the basket,” Simi Valley Coach Dean Bradshaw said.

So are Simi Valley’s two super sophomores--6-4 Branduinn Fullove and 6-6 Brett Michel. Both were held back a year in junior high and aren’t your ordinary sophomores.

Fullove has the ball-handling skills of a point guard and the shooting range of a three-point bomber. Michel does just about everything well--shoot, rebound and play defense.

The trio of Berumen, Fullove and Michel should be even more effective with the addition of 6-7 Ian Boys, a transfer from Buena. He adds size and depth in the post and will enable Berumen to become more aggressive.

The one area of concern is inexperience at point guard. Junior Brandon Foster, up from the junior varsity team, or freshman Shaun Michel, Brett’s brother, will handle the position.

But Bradshaw doesn’t seem concerned if teams employ a full-court press to test his young point guards. He believes Fullove and Michel can help out.

The other challenge for Simi Valley is dealing with the animosity some coaches and players have toward the Pioneers’ program.

It’s not just complaints about how Boys gained his eligibility through a hardship waiver after moving in with Fullove’s family. It’s the continuing movement of players into the Simi Valley district.

Simi Valley critics will be looking for any opportunity to shake up the Pioneers.

“I don’t really pay attention to it,” Berumen said. “The coaches and players are going to say whatever they want.”

Other teams to watch:

Chaminade: This is one of the most talented teams in school history. There’s size with 6-5 Scott Long, 6-6 Camarillo transfer Justin Beach and 6-7 freshman Scott Borchart. There’s a terrific rebounder in 6-2 Justin Stewart. There’s a standout point guard in junior Cayce Cook.

Young, a coach who’s almost certain to join a college staff one day, has many weapons and lots of depth. The only question is whether the Eagles can handle teams with quickness.

If all goes as expected, Chaminade will face Simi Valley on Saturday in the final of the Simi Valley tournament.

Montclair Prep: The Mounties are one of the favorites to win the Division V state championship. Jedidiah Hall, a 6-7 transfer from Virginia, joins three-point specialist Rocky Steryo to give the Mounties an inside/outside duo. There’s also the athletic Kevin Bentley, guard Carlease Clark and 6-3 forward Jules Thompson.

Valencia: With a front line of 6-8 Jerrohn Jordan, 6-7 Fabian Leon and 6-5 Eskias McDaniels, the Vikings have a shot at winning the Foothill League title in their third year of varsity play.

Crucial to the team’s development will be sophomore point guard Royce Minor.

Newbury Park: The Panthers once again will offer the prime challenge to Simi Valley in the Marmonte League. They return 6-6 Daniel Bobik, who averaged 20.1 points and has signed with Brigham Young. Bobik’s brother, Brian, a 6-2 junior, is improved. More help will come from 5-11 Luther Staine, 6-5 Robert Congelliere and 6-6 Mike Meru.

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PLAYERS TO WATCH

Top returning Southern Section boys’ basketball players in the region, with comments from staff writer Eric Sondheimer.

Player, School: Rafael Berumen, Simi Valley

Ht.: 6-9

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Watch him dominate

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Player, School: Daniel Bobik, Newbury Park

Ht.: 6-6

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Could average more than 25 ppg

*

Player, School: Chris Christoffersen, Nordhoff

Ht.: 7-0

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Averaged 13.8 rebounds

*

Player, School: Ruben Douglas, Bell-Jeff

Ht.: 6-4

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Headed to NCAA champion Arizona

*

Player, School: Marcus Helfman, Agoura

Ht.: 6-6

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Aggressive inside player

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Player, School: Mark Hull, Hoover

Ht.: 6-6

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Can shoot three-pointer

*

Player, School: Nick Jones, Santa Clara

Ht.: 6-4

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: All-Ventura County as sophomore

*

Player, School: Jerrohn Jordan, Valencia

Ht.: 6-8

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Top big man in Foothill League

*

Player, School: Scott Long, Chaminade

Ht.: 6-5

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Tough enough to play at Navy

*

Player, School: Matt Moore, La Canada

Ht.: 6-7

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Averaged 22.1 points as junior

*

Player, School: Victor Munoz, Harvard-Westlake

Ht.: 6-0

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Top point guard even without twins

*

Player, School: Rocky Steryo, Montclair Prep

Ht.: 6-2

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Made 116 three-pointers last season

*

Player, School: J.T. Stotts, Hart

Ht.: 5-10

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Will average more than 20 points a game

*

Player, School: Chris Williams, Notre Dame

Ht.: 6-7

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Will be region’s most improved player

*

Player, School: Juni Williams, Burbank

Ht.: 6-0

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Explosive, exciting point guard

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Boys’ Basketball Top 10

Preseason rankings of regional high schools by The Times:

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RK TEAM (League) ‘96-97 1 Simi Valley (Marmonte) 23-4 2 Chaminade (Mission) 20-8 3 Valencia (Foothill) 15-10 4 Montclair Prep (Independent) 20-7 5 Cleveland (West Valley) 20-7 6 Newbury Park (Marmonte) 19-9 7 San Fernando (North Valley) 13-13 8 Notre Dame (Mission) 15-13 9 Burbank (Foothill) 16-12 10 Santa Clara (Frontier) 22-5

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