Julian Welch (#13), the 6’3″ Point Guard, came to Yuba College following a freshman year at UC Davis. He has helped the team with scoring, and is ranked number two in overall points (526) by the California Community College Basketball Association. Welch was named MVP of the Bay Valley Conference 2010-2011 All-Conference Team. “I just try to contribute as much as I can. Just try to be a leader out there – I think – is the main thing,” he said. Welch continued to provide leadership as the team marched forward towards the State Championship.
Another impressive player this year, the youngest on the team, is Spencer Butterfield (#22). At 18 years of age, the 6’3″ freshman from Loomis, California plays the wing position for Yuba College. Butterfield prepares for every basketball game by getting plenty of rest, and eating his favorite: a Subway turkey and ham sandwich. Butterfield made the 2010-2011 All-Conference Team, and displays remarkable talent. “I’m the type of guy who’s a hustle player – I decide to get all the loose balls, get rebounds, get the easy put-backs, and then I can shoot a little too,” he said.
Anto Olah (#30), the 6’5″ forward, is a freshman from the Gold Coast of Australia. With Yuba College, Olah made this year’s All-Conference Team, and is an outstanding mid-range shooter. When asked, “How do you contribute to the team as a player?” Olah stated, “I think rebounding – doing the little things – just like finding an open man, passing the ball, make sure the offense runs smoothly.” Olah attributes the Modesto tournament, a four game series played from December 8th – December 11th, as being the games that developed the team into a solid unit, and contributed to the team’s advancement to the third round of the Northern California Regional.
Each of these players, in his own words and from his own perspective, portrayed what it is that made the team great: every man on the court made the small jobs his responsibility. All of those little things—a rebound, a good pass, a save, or an unexpected steal—are what led the 49ers to victory after victory and a fifth consecutive season as Bay Valley Conference champions.
In addition to being talented, these young men have exceptional character and sportsmanship. After their last game, Coach Cornelius commended them, saying, “You guys are the best character group I’ve ever had. People literally come up to me just to tell me how much they enjoyed watching you play, how you guys act.” C.J. Dorn (#1), backed that up when he said, “I thank God for this season. I thank God we’ve got a great group of guys, and that doesn’t come around too often.”
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