Bradley Makes a Viewpoint

Jaline Bradley was wearing her UCLA hat an hour before the game.

Then she donned her blue and gold basketball uniform and scored 22 points, further blurring the distinction between where she is now--Channel Islands High--and where she will be next year--playing for the Bruins in Westwood.

Bradley, the driving, diving, thriving guard at Channel Islands, helped the Raiders to a 70-49 victory over Camarillo in a Pacific View League girls’ basketball game Thursday night at Channel Islands.

There is no suspense as to where Bradley will go to college--she signed her letter of intent two months ago--and, if this game is any indication, there won’t be much intrigue in the Pacific View League this season.

About the only thing the Raiders (13-5, 1-0 in league play) didn’t win was the opening tip, though they quickly atoned by scoring the first 10 points en route to a 16-1 lead.

“She’s been carrying us all year,” Coach Pat Bell of Channel Islands said. “She can do it all. And when she does, the team follows her.”

Not to be overlooked was a 24-point effort by Chenne Tuimoloau, who has been bothered by a groin pull for most of the season.

Tuimoloau connected on three three-pointers in the first half, helping Channel Islands take a 47-22 halftime lead.

Camarillo (8-10, 0-2) was without Coach John Harbour, who was ejected from the Scorpions’ game last week against Oxnard and, under Southern Section rules, was not allowed to coach or attend the game against Channel Islands.

That left the strategy to assistant Ray Capella, whose son, Brian, played at Thousand Oaks High and Cal Lutheran.

The Scorpions had success earlier this season in shutting down marquee players, as evidenced by their 39-38 victory over Alemany and their stellar play against guard Kate Beckler, who was held to five points.

But trying to stop three quality players--throw in junior Monique Taylor, who finished with 16 points for the Raiders--is too much of a chore.

“They’re quick and they come back at you twice as fast,” Capella said. “They must have made their first 10 shots.”

Actually, the Raiders made nine of 12 shots in the first quarter and were 17 of 24 at the half.

Lisa Donahue, the only senior on the Camarillo squad, scored 12 points, as did Gillian Lillich.

But the night belonged to Bradley, Tuimoloau and Channel Islands, which needed the victory after a 54-48 loss to Santa Barbara last weekend.

“We’ve set a lot of goals,” Bradley said. “We know this team is very talented and we should go far.

“I think I’m ready [for UCLA] next year, but I’m going to have fun now and take advantage of this experience.”