Pioneers’ Family Feud Has Erupted

When Dean Bradshaw resigned as Simi Valley High boys’ basketball coach before the season, few believed his explanation that he was stepping down to better watch his son, Ryan, play for the Pioneers.

What better seat than court-side?

As it turns out, Bradshaw’s departure was only the first chapter in an unbelievable story at Simi Valley, clearly the best team in the region.

The latest twist is the revelation that guard Branduinn Fullove of Simi Valley, clearly the best player in Ventura County, allegedly slugged Kyle Kegley of Thousand Oaks in the groin during a close game three weeks ago.

The incident was discussed during all-league deliberations Tuesday. Thousand Oaks reportedly has it on videotape. Kegley, who was having a big scoring night, says Fullove swung at him and missed earlier in the game.

Last week, junior point guard Shaun Michel quit the Simi Valley team after the latest in a series of clashes with Christian Aurand, the Pioneers’ first-year coach and a longtime Bradshaw assistant. Aurand criticized Michel during a game for not passing to Fullove.

Michel and older brother Brett, a senior, are two of three starters who have served suspensions during this turbulent season.

The Michels’ father, Jim, says his sons’ punishment was retribution. Retribution for what, he hasn’t said, but the popular theory is that it has something to do with Bradshaw’s resignation.

What’s clear is Simi Valley has created its own turmoil and Aurand has been put in an unenviable situation.

At high-profile programs such as Simi Valley, controversy is never far behind success.

And for good reason. The list of controversial issues that has descended on the program in recent years is lengthy and well-documented.

* A talented foreign-exchange student arriving under suspicious circumstances.

* Transfers arriving from across the Southland for no other reason than to play on a championship contender.

* A star player from another school moving in with the family of a Simi Valley player so he could play for the Pioneers.

But those scenarios have nothing on the bizarre drama that has taken place this season, with the Fullove and Michel families in the pivotal roles.

Fullove and Brett Michel, four-year starters, should have been leading the Pioneers on a joyous romp through the Marmonte League and deep into the Southern Section playoffs.

Yet the journey has been anything but joyous. From the first game, internal strife has marred a program that is 100-15 in the last four seasons.

At one time, Bradshaw, the Michels and the Fulloves were one big happy family. The Michels and Fulloves years ago joined forces to create a virtual all-star travel basketball team.

The families held their sons back one grade, most likely to enhance their chances for scholarships. Fullove is 19 and bound for UC Santa Barbara. Brett Michel turns 19 on March 3, and if not for an injury this summer might also have a scholarship in hand, although his Division I potential is limited compared to Fullove’s.

But Bradshaw and the Simi Valley program have been the beneficiaries of the Fullove and Michel families.

Until they evidently turned on one another. What happened?

The Fulloves and Michels went their separate ways. Their sons stayed together long enough to keep the juggernaut rolling, albeit a bumpy ride that could derail at any moment.

Aurand has been virtually silent on the issue. If he has been taking the high road, he is the only one.

Few are willing to talk on the record. But there is plenty of blame to go around.

More than anything, the Simi Valley saga of 1999-2000 is a clear case of the monster turning on its creators.

Bon appetit, Pioneers.