Simi Valley’s Big Guns Help Shoot Way Into the Finals

SIMI VALLEY —  Coach Christian Aurand said he still has a few kinks to work out with the Simi Valley High boys’ basketball team.

Fortunately for the first-year coach, his two key cogs were running smoothly Friday, and the Pioneers came from behind to defeat North Hollywood, 79-65, in a semifinal of its own tournament at Simi Valley High.

Branduinn Fullove scored 33 points and had eight rebounds and four steals while Brett Michel added 21 points, making four of seven three-point shots, to spark the Pioneers, The Times’ No. 1 team.

North Hollywood, ninth-ranked, took a 42-40 lead early in the third quarter when Gus Ruiz hit a three-point shot.

The Huskies, who hadn’t led since the game’s early stages, had gone on an 8-2 run to close the first half and pull within 38-37.

But the Pioneers (3-0) capitalized on a 20-8 run, highlighted by eight points from center Dustin Villepigue.

Michel started the outburst with a three-pointer and Fullove scored on an offensive rebound.

“Give the Huskies a lot of credit,” Aurand said. “They played hard and smart throughout the game. I’m proud of the way we responded after the end of the first half.”

Simi Valley held a 34-24 rebounding advantage, including 12 offensive rebounds. Fullove had eight rebounds, three offensive.

Anish Sharda gave the Pioneers a 68-54 advantage--the biggest in the game--with a steal and breakaway layup with 3:20 to play.

Ruiz finished with 19 points for the Huskies (2-1), who had a five-point third-quarter deficit nearly triple as a result of six fourth-quarter turnovers.

Kenny Hauser, the Huskies’ top scorer in the tournament, added 16 points. He had nine of his points in the second quarter but converted only one of four shots in the fourth quarter.

Simi Valley played its third consecutive game without point guard Shaun Michel, who sat out for disciplinary reasons. Michel watched the game from the bench in street clothes.

Simi Valley plays Pasadena Marshall in the championship game at 7 tonight.

In other tournament games:

Pasadena Marshall 69, Monroe 47--Robert Palafox scored 21 points, making three of five three-point shots, but the Vikings (3-1) were hurt by 24 turnovers in a semifinal loss to the Eagles (3-1) at Simi Valley.

The teams were tied, 15-15, after the first quarter, but Marshall surged to a 32-18 advantage on the strength of a 17-3 run, fueled by De’Verion Mackey’s three three-pointers.

Mackey had 36 points and made five of six three-pointers. Will Savala added 10 points for Monroe, which made 15 of 45 field goals.

Camarillo 63, Poly 61--Jared Jungwirth scored 19 points, including six in overtime, to help the Scorpions (2-2) win a consolation game at Simi Valley.

Mike Mgdesyan scored 17 points for Poly (1-4).

San Fernando 59, L.A. Marshall 53--Mike Hernandez scored 23 points in a consolation game for the Tigers (2-2).

San Fernando led, 24-21, at halftime and held a 35-34 edge going into the fourth quarter. Hernandez scored eight points in the final period.