Simi Valley’s Berumen Chooses New Mexico

Rafael Berumen of Simi Valley High, The Times’ 1997 Ventura County basketball player of the year, has committed to New Mexico.

The 6-foot-9 Berumen averaged 20.7 points and 10.6 rebounds last season for the Pioneers.

Another top Valley basketball prospect, Gilbert Arenas of Grant, has visited Kansas State and Arizona and is expected to announce his college choice soon.

The first day to sign a letter of intent is Nov. 11.

Tournament: A Cal Lutheran University three-on-three basketball tournament is scheduled for Saturday at 9 a.m. at the CLU gym.

The tournament, directed by Cal Lutheran men’s basketball Coach Rich Rider, is for children grades four through eight. Information: (805) 493-3404.

GOLF

Wright on: Chad Wright of Ventura shot three-under-par 69 to overcome a two-stroke deficit and win the Teardrop Tour Ridgemark Classic on Thursday at Ridgemark Country Club in Hollister.

Wright, a Buena High graduate, was tied for sixth after a first-round 71. He won by a stroke over Jon Bettencourt of Fresno. First prize was $5,000.

SOCCER

New Bruin: Brandon Kay, The Times’ regional player of the year for the 1996-97 season, has transferred from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to UCLA and is playing fullback for the Bruins.

Kay, who scored 13 goals and added 12 assists as a senior at Royal High, helped the Highlanders to Southern Section Division I titles in 1995 and 1997.

Top field: The annual Highlander Classic tournament, hosted by Royal High, includes 29 teams and will be played Dec. 19 and 21-22 in Simi Valley. It will include defending Southern Section Division II champion San Marcos, Division III champion Santa Margarita, Division I semifinalist Capistrano Valley and defending tournament champion Alta Loma.

“This is by far our best field and a lot of it has to do with our new stadium at the school,” Royal Coach Kevin Corley said. “Coaches heard from teams after last season’s tournament that it was a great, wide field and they started calling.”

Corley said Santa Margarita, ranked No. 2 in the 1997-98 National Soccer Coaches Assn. of America poll, will be the tournament’s No. 1 seed. Alta Loma is the No. 2 seed, followed by Capistrano Valley and San Marcos at No. 3 and No. 4.

Local teams participating include Burroughs, Rio Mesa and Buena.

MISCELLANY

Coaching guidelines: Gov. Pete Wilson has signed the California Interscholastic Federation-sponsored legislative bill AB 2741, which will establish the California High School Coaching Education and Training Program to encourage schools to adopt uniform coaching guidelines.

The bill, written by Assemblyman Gary Miller (R--Diamond Bar) also establishes a fund-matching grant program for high school coaches’ training programs.

The CIF will establish a statewide panel to develop the application process and timeline for school districts interested in applying for matching grants.

Information: Michelle Mazza, (415) 492-5911.