TOMLINSON REMAINS A MARKED MAN MOORPARK STAR CONFRONTS GIMMICK DEFENSES.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

MOORPARK - Todd Tomlinson is always the favorite player of Moorpark High's Marmonte League boys' basketball opponents.

They follow him wherever he goes, almost stalking him as if Tomlinson were some kind of Hollywood celebrity.

But there are no autograph seekers here. Tomlinson's groupies have one goal in mind: prevent shot attempts.

Welcome to Tomlinson's world. The senior guard has come to expect gimmick defenses, usually a box-and-one. Until the Musketeers began league play shortly after the New Year, Tomlinson didn't experience any such respect.

And who can blame the Agouras, the Westlakes and the Simi Valleys for giving so much attention towards Tomlinson, who is averaging almost 25 points per game.

``In the nonleague games, teams might not know about you or be as prepared as a Simi Valley is. They're going to be prepared top-notch,'' Tomlinson said. ``Everybody has tape of you. They have your whole game plan.''

Simi Valley certainly had the Tomlinson idea down. Pioneers senior standout Branduinn Fullove was chosen to defend Tomlinson in the box-and-one while the other four players remained in the zone.

The Pioneers won the game 81-50. Tomlinson took a mere seven shots, finishing with four points. He had torched an all-star team from the Philippines for 45 in a Chaminade tournament game in December.

``Obviously he's a very good scorer and you can't give him open looks,'' Simi Valley coach Christian Aurand said. ``We had Branduinn Fullove and Anish Sharda run around with him. I think it's important to limit his touches.''

Moorpark's counter plan to the extra attention the Pioneers gave to Tomlinson was to open up other shot opportunities.

Tomlinson was instructed not to force anything from the outside, knowing Fullove's ability to play suffocating man-to-man defense.

It didn't work that night and coach Tim Bednar knows he can't depend on Tomlinson's gifted ability because of his reputation.

``It's a risk you run; you're playing four other guys in a zone and they have to cover a lot more ground,'' Simi's Aurand said. ``You're going to risk that because here's a kid that's averaging about 25 points a game. And we figure if we shut him down, we can win the game.''

Bednar sympathizes with Tomlinson, who rarely can get himself an open look with the other team's best defender shadowing him.

In a perfect scenario, Bednar would prefer to send five players onto the court who are legitimate double-figure scorers. But he's happy to have Tomlinson, a fourth-year varsity performer.

``I know he had to give up a lot that (Simi Valley) game. He definitely has the scorer's mentality. And he feels that he can make a shot at any time,'' Bednar said. ``And that's important. Because there's games when he hasn't been shooting well at the beginning. Whenever you have a shooter's mentality, you keep shooting. Even if your coach doesn't want you to.''

By the time his career is over, Tomlinson could exceed 1,600 points, which would surpass a level only eclipsed by former Moorpark star Kevin Lawrence.

The experience Tomlinson gained as a varsity freshman and sophomore prepared him for last season, when he averaged 23 points as Moorpark's primary scorer.

As Moorpark's point guard, the 6-1 Tomlinson can get his points not only via his long-distance shooting ability but through dribble penetration.

Tomlinson has worked hard to get his defensive skills back to the level he performed at as a sophomore, when he wasn't required to be his team's first offensive option.

``I want to try to be an all-around player. Of course, everybody likes to score. I also feel good when I penetrate and get an assist,'' said Tomlinson, averaging five assists per game. ``With assists or steals, I'm contributing points. If I pass it and the guy scores, I feel like that's two points for me too.''

Division I schools have noticed Tomlinson's credentials. The U.S. Naval Academy has expressed interest in the 3.3 student, as has San Diego and Loyola Marymount.

His scoring potential is conducive to a collegiate shooting guard, but with his height point guard seems like a more realistic possibility, providing Tomlinson with even more incentive to be versatile.

``With my height and my ability, I'm more suited to the (point) guard,'' said Tomlinson, whose steady improvement throughout four seasons has a college scholarship within his grasp. ``Every year since I was a freshman I've worked harder and harder . . . especially in the offseason. I feel like I've improved a lot.''

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Photo: (color) It's no wonder Moorpark senior guard Todd Tomlinson gets so much attention from Marmonte League opponents - he's averaging almost 25 points per game.

Kirby Lee/Special to the Daily News