Fullove Hits the Big Time as a Prospect

At least someone’s stock went up in recent weeks.

The Dow may have taken a dive, but Braduinn Fullove’s profile as a college basketball prospect continues to rise this summer.

Fullove, a 6-foot-5 senior at Simi Valley High, played well in the Big Time tournament last month in Las Vegas, helping his team, Pump N Run Gold, reach the semifinals.

His three-point shot was falling and his defense was first-rate.

“You win with him,” said Dana Pump, tournament director. “He’ll be able to pick from a lot of schools, and I think a lot of Pac-10 schools are going to offer him [a scholarship] now.

“He’s good enough to be a great role player on an Arizona. Not a star, but you need a guy like him.”

Fullove, who averaged 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists for Simi Valley last season, isn’t the only Pioneer player who has been impressive this summer.

Dustin Villepigue, a 6-9 junior, is the heir apparent to Rafael Berumen, Simi Valley’s All-Southern Section center who is headed to New Mexico.

“[Villepigue] will be one of the better big kids on the West Coast next year,” Pump said. “He has a chance to be one of the best big kids to come from the [region] in years.”

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Todd Tomlinson, a senior at Moorpark High, also put on a show recently in Las Vegas.

The 6-1 Tomlinson exhibited improved all-around skills, playing more at point guard without abandoning his outside shot, at the Grand Finale tournament last week.

Tomlinson made seven three-point baskets for American Roundball Corp. of Los Angeles in a 97-95 pool-play victory over the Portland Legends, including the winning three-pointer with two seconds left in triple overtime.

As Tomlinson’s team inbounded the ball with 10 seconds left, Portland switched to a zone defense, a surprising move.

“I didn’t understand why,” said Coach Robert Icart of ARC.

Tomlinson didn’t care, calmly knocking down the shot.

Although his shooting was impressive, Tomlinson’s extended playing time at point guard in the tournament could be more beneficial in attracting colleges.

“His understanding of the game is smart enough that he can make the transition [from shooting guard],” Icart said.

Tomlinson averaged 23.6 points and 2.8 assists and made 91 of 234 three-point shots (38.9%) for Moorpark last season.

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The season ended on a downer for Hart midfielder Erin Misaki and the Mission Viejo Mirage girls’ soccer team.

The Mirage lost to the Northport/Cow Harbor (N.Y.) Piranha on penalty kicks in the under-18 national championship game last week in Lake Buena, Fla.

Scoreless through regulation and two overtimes, the game ended in the 12th round of penalty kicks when Megan Mills scored against goalkeeper Darci Carruthers.

“After you play 120 minutes and then go through a shootout, it’s emotionally draining,” said Misaki, who will attend Portland. “To lose was really, really tough.

“[But] a shootout isn’t really a loss. It’s only a way to determine a winner.”

Misaki converted her only penalty kick, sending it low and to the left in the ninth round.

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Jared Godinez, a junior at Ventura High, won a silver medal in 17-and-under beach volleyball at the U.S. Junior Olympic Championships last week in San Diego.

Godinez and partner Arri Jeschke of Santa Barbara were unbeaten until losing in the final, 15-10, to Dane Jensen and Trevor Olson of San Diego.