Fullove, Michel Lift Simi Valley to Another Title

Branduinn Fullove and Brett Michel have been integral members of the Simi Valley High boys’ basketball program for four seasons.

So it was only fitting the two seniors would lead the Pioneers to a 91-60 victory over Newbury Park on Monday night at Simi Valley that clinched the Pioneers’ second consecutive Marmonte League title.

With Fullove scoring 23 points and Michel scoring 22 to go with nine rebounds and four steals, Simi Valley twice held a 37-point lead in the fourth quarter.

The Pioneers (22-2, 10-0 in league play) had pulled away from Newbury Park in the fourth quarter of a 69-55 victory on Jan. 14, but they jumped on the Panthers from the start Monday, scoring the first 11 points and leading, 23-6, after the first quarter.

Newbury Park (11-10, 4-6) cut its deficit to 30-22 with 1:46 left in the second quarter on a basket by senior guard Javad Esfandiary, but Simi Valley went on a 8-2 run to end the half with a 38-24 lead.

The Pioneers, who have won 23 consecutive league games, made 10 of their first 12 shots in the third quarter to take a 65-38 lead.