SIMI ABUZZ WITH APLOMB.

Byline: VINCENT BONSIGNORE

They've grown up together on basketball floors throughout Southern California, toiling in quiet, lonely gyms in the summer and playing before raucous, packed houses in the winter.

They met as youngsters eight years ago on the travel ball circuit, the big kid from Pomona and the two athletic forwards from Reseda and Simi Valley. They enjoyed each other's company so much that they decided to attend Simi Valley High together and hopefully win a championship or two for Dean Bradshaw's Pioneers.

Two years and a handful of memorable games later, they have one more chance to fulfill the dream.

Just don't expect Rafael Berumen, Branduinn Fullove and Bret Michel to feel a sense of urgency as they prepare to open the season tonight against Roosevelt in the Simi Valley tournament.

In an ambitious year in which the Pioneers play in prestigious tournaments in Florida and San Diego, then participate in both Martin Luther King classics in January, Simi Valley won't box itself in by proclaiming anything less than a Division I-AA championship, or a spot in the final, a disappointment.

``Winning a (Southern Section) championship is one of our goals, but we know that the key is taking it one day, one practice and one game at a time,'' said Michel, a junior forward. ``We just want to continue to get better as a team and as individual players.''

The three standouts shouldn't be faulted for not delivering a Southern Section title so far, having been ousted from the postseason the past two years by outstanding clubs.

Two years ago, Michel and Fullove were freshmen and Berumen a sophomore when they took Long Beach Poly to overtime in a heartbreaking loss in the quarterfinals. Last year a devastating Artesia club took them out in the semifinals.

Two years, two deep trips into the postseason, two losses to better teams.

Can we expect anything different this year? Well, if Artesia stays in the same division as Simi Valley, Artesia must be considered the favorite. It returns super forward Jason Kapano and talented sophomores Apolinar Fernandez and Jack Martinez. Many publications rate Artesia as the best team in California.

``They're a great team,'' Fullove said.

Regardless, this should be another interesting year for Simi Valley, especially if young point guard Shaun Michel - Bret's sophomore brother - continues to improve.

Shaun Michel won the starting job in December, then spent the remainder of the year getting used to the pressure of playing point guard on a team with serious championship aspirations. The results were mixed, typical for a freshman. Michel would string together one or two good games, then follow with a couple of uneven performances. The Pioneers felt the growing pains, losing two of the last three games to surrender the Marmonte League title to Newbury Park. They regrouped in the playoffs before running into the Artesia buzz saw.

The younger Michel, now 6-3, has followed a terrific summer with some notable performances in practice thus far. He's taller, more confident and experienced. Simi Valley should benefit as a result.

``Day in and day out, he's been our best player during practice,'' said older brother Bret. ``I've told him that he's going to be a key for us.''

Another key could be emerging forward Dustin Villepigue, who sprouted four inches to 6-9 over the summer and should provide valuable support for Berumen underneath. Berumen, a versatile low-post player who can extend outside, has signed a letter of intent to play at New Mexico. He's looking forward to playing with the developing youngster.

``He's going to help out a lot on the boards, which is going to make it easier for me to step outside,'' Berumen said.

Although Villepigue and Shawn Michel will have important roles, this is clearly Berumen, Fullove and Bret Michel's team. It has been that way since they came aboard two years ago.

Berumen is one of the top big men on the West Coast and considered among the top 100 players in the country. He should fit in nicely next year in New Mexico. He isn't the most physical 6-8 player, but he's effective around the basket, does a great job on the boards and is a decent defender.

Fullove is a 6-4 forward who has improved each year. After hitting the weight room in the offseason, he's bigger and stronger than a year ago. Michel is back in form after a broken rib wiped out much of his summer.

Together, they give Simi Valley the best three players on one team in the area. More important, after eight years of playing together, they've developed great chemistry.

``We always know what the other is doing,'' Fullove said. ``And we know where we each like to get the ball, and what our strengths are. It makes a big difference.''

Enough to play for the Southern Section Division? We'll see.