JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers GOING UP STRONG—Simi Valley senior center Collin Franklin makes a powerful move towards the basket during Tuesday’s loss to Westlake in the Marmonte League opener for both schools. At the end of the 2004-05 season, the Simi Valley boys’ basketball team was second in the Marmonte League to the Calabasas Coyotes. The Pioneers were 22-8 overall, 11-3 in league, to the Coyotes’ record of 26-5 overall, 13-1 in league.

This year Simi Valley wants to be on top of the league and take their season well into the California Interscholastic Federation playoffs.

“We have high expectations every year,” said Christian Aurand, who’s beginning his seventh season at Simi Valley as head coach. He was a member of the Pioneers basketball team from 1983-85.

Aurand likes that the team has some good athletes and solid guard play.

“It’s going to be important how our inside play develops,” Aurand said. “We have a bunch of football guys which gives us a great mentality in that way, a toughness. We just have to get them in basketball shape. I think we’ll be fine in league.”

The Pioneers (2-3, 0-1 in league) lost to the host Westlake Warriors, 55-49, as league play began Tuesday night.

The teams were tied at 21 at halftime. The Warriors outscored Simi Valley, 16-10, in the third quarter and the teams scored 18 points apiece during the fourth quarter.

On Monday, the Pioneers will open against the Quartz Hill Rebels at 3 p.m. in the San Fernando Valley Tournament at Kennedy High, and continue playing in the tournament Tuesday and Wednesday.

Simi Valley plays Dec. 26-28 in the Torrey Pines Holiday Prep Classic in San Diego prior to continuing the league season Jan. 4 by hosting the Agoura Chargers.

The Pioneers began the nonleague season by going 2-2 in the Simi Valley Tournament. In the first game, Simi Valley beat the Golden Valley Grizzlies, 85-45. Next the Pioneers turned back the Granada Hills Highlanders, 60-50.

Simi Valley closed out its tournament by losing two games, to the Chaminade Eagles, 61-72, and the Poly Parrots, 54-71.

Senior guard Lorne Bell had gone on a trip Friday and Saturday to visit Cal State Fresno where, Aurand said, Bell has verbally committed to play football. Simi Valley played without Bell.

“It was tough at both ends of the floor, but at the same time it opens the door to see what other guys can do,” the coach said. “We lacked a little bit of what we needed. But that’s good. That’s what you play tournaments for— to get experience.”

Aurand anticipates the core of the team will be a trio of seniors— Bell, center Collin Franklin and guard Tony Meza.

Bell, 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, is a three-year varsity player who got some time as a sophomore and is the Pioneers most experienced player.

“Defensively, he’s probably the best defensive guard in the league,” the coach said. “He benches over 300 pounds. He’s a football player (wide receiver and strong safety). He has a football mentality.

“He is quickly making the adjustment from football to playing basketball.

Added Bell, “You’ve got to get into basketball shape because football is a lot less running than basketball,” he said. “You always get a break before every play in football.”

Referring to Bell, Aurand said, “He’s the most experienced guy we have, if not the toughest competitor at both ends of the floor. We’ll need his leadership if we’re going to be successful.” Bell said he’s hopeful for Simi Valley’s prospects.

“As a team, I think we’re small, but I think we’re going to come together,” Aurand said. “I think as the season progresses we’ll get better and better, the more we get to play with each other.

“(Simi Valley will have) a lot more press this year. A lot more press. Less half-court sets. We’ll have to push the ball up the court. A lot more transition. It fits our team better.”

Franklin, 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, was a tight end/defensive end in football.

His role has changed since last season, said his coach.

“I think this year one of my main goals is to just be a better leader,” he said. “I have to work on some things involving the game, such as my post moves, just being more vocal on court, maybe a little defense. Mostly I want to be a leader for the team.”

The Pioneers have a team that’s balanced, and Franklin is one of the players who makes that possible.

“Collin Franklin, a part-time starter last season, he’ll be one of the guys inside we’ll rely on,” Aurand said.

Franklin said he’s impressed by the skills his teammates bring to the squad and how the Pioneers will play cohesively.

“We have really talented guards,” Franklin said. “We have a few very talented big men. For most basketball teams, as well as ours, one of our main goals is to get the ball to the post a lot. That’s where I come in. I do my best to. If I don’t have a shot, I’ll dish it out.”

Meza, 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, another returnee, was a third-team All-Marmonte League selection last season, and, Aurand said, “a very good shooter.”

The three aforementioned players will mix in with a group of guys from a junior varsity team that went 23-1 last year.

“They had an outstanding year,” the coach said. “We’re hoping that we can mix those three, a good strong point guard, an inside player and a shooter—mixed in with some of the others. We have a lot of nice, young talent.”

Aurand said sophomore guard Lorne Jackson is an outstanding player now playing way ahead of sophomore level. “He’s going to be one of the better players in the league.”

Sophomore forward Michael Meza, Tony Meza’s brother, has seen a lot of playing time thus far.

Others include junior guard Brandon Simon and senior forward Bryan Randolph, a football quarterback.

“We’re pretty athletic with receivers like senior forward TJ Washington,” Aurand said.

Looking ahead, Aurand said the Pioneers may be stronger than last season.

“I like the fact that we’re much more balanced than we were last year when we had inside center Michael Rodgers and outside guard Caise Burris,” Aurand said. “I think they (other teams) are going to have to guard other guys, too, not just two guys. I like that about our team.”

Franklin, echoing Aurand, said, “Our goal is to finish first every year. We have enough talent this year, as we always have, so I don’t know why we can’t finish first.”