Simi Valley Doesn’t Need First Aid, 81-61

Entering its playoff opener against Saugus, the biggest concern for the Simi Valley High boys’ basketball team was whether or not starting guard Branduinn Fullove would be healthy enough to play.

On this night, though, the Pioneers didn’t need him.

The third-seeded Pioneers forced 28 turnovers, including 20 in the first half, and coasted to an 81-61 victory Friday night over Saugus in the first round of the Southern Section Division I-A playoffs at Simi Valley.

Fullove wound up sitting out the game with a badly sprained ankle, but the Pioneers (26-2) received more than enough offensive support from center Rafael Berumen and forward Brett Michel.

The 6-foot-9 Berumen finished with 23 points and seven rebounds, Michel had 20 points and forward Tony Ward added 10 in reserve.

“I thought the guys came in and played hard with Branduinn not in the game,” Simi Valley Coach Dean Bradshaw said. “I don’t have any questions about their effort.”

The Pioneers opened a 19-7 lead after one quarter, stretched it to 41-19 by halftime and led by as many as 29.

While Fullove held out hope that he would be able to play, Bradshaw was content to give him a night off.

“He was pretty much living on hope that he’d play,” Bradshaw said. “He stretched tendons and it’s pretty much day to day.”

Fullove expects to be back for Simi Valley’s second-round game Tuesday night and Bradshaw said the team will need him. The Pioneers will play Troy at a site to be determined.

Saugus (14-13) didn’t have a starter taller than 6-4 senior Jerome Edwards and he sat out much of the game in foul trouble and finished with only four points.

The Centurions were led by Nic Echevestre with 26 points and seven rebounds, and Kurt DeMaio with 18 points, including four three-point baskets.