That special lady at the hoops

There is something special about a sports team that gives 100% on every play, every second, every game. If any of you have ever played sports, then you know exactly what it is I’m talking about. Call it whatever you want; effort, hustle, desire, heart, the will to win. I call it character. That’s what this year’s Yuba College women’s basketball team personifies, something special!

For one who has followed the Lady Niners’ of Yuba College, this is the type of spirit, interest, fight, character, that revolves around the Yuba College gymnasium every time they play. These girls are not just a warm up game for the men’s team. Have you seen them play? They really are something!

One of only two sophomores on the Lady Niners’, Chloe Pereiro plays the shooting guard and has a smooth, good percentage three point shot. She plays with a confident nature and possesses excellent basketball skills and savvy. Her play speaks volumes for her technical skills and knowledge of the game.

When asked why she likes playing at Yuba College, she said ‘I grew up here and my friends and family can all come to the game.” Pereiro is pursuing a degree in sports medicine and plans to transfer to Sacramento State University. The character and drive Pereiro exhibits on the court should serve her well in her future plans.

Pereiro was honored along with center Chelsea Geoia in the last home game of the season by the coaches, players, and fans as the public address announcer cited their lists of career accomplishments while at Yuba College. They both received a bouquet of flowers.

Geoia has also contributed greatly to the team’s success and the level of respect given to them by other team’s around the league. She plays a strong defense in the low post and is an excellent rebounder,

Freshman Kylie Nore, an aggressive playmaker with good handling skills and passing ability, takes the right percentage shots. As the team’s point guard, she directs the offense somewhat like the quarterback. Nore attributes the team’s character to “love for the game” and a “give it your all” attitude. She believes the team has come together in the last few weeks. “They are like a family,” she said.

Nore says their special character comes from dedication to each other and “they all
contribute each and every game.” With a strong freshman season in the books she should be the team’s general at the point should she choose to play again next season. The Lady Niners would benefit tremendously by her return.
Coach Steve Sain agreed saying,“perseverance has helped this team to get better”,

Anyone who has watched this well coached group of girls play basketball with such a great attitude would have to agree with Sain’s assessment,“What makes this team special is the give their best effort night in and night out.” Sain’s pride is evident whenever he speaks of his Lady Niners.

Having taken a job at Yuba College after much success at the NAIA Division II level where he posted two appearances in the NCAA National Tournament and was twice named West Region Coach of The Year. Sain says, “This is another opportunity to create a winning program.”Coach Steve is very happy to be coaching this team of eleven freshman. He is looking forward next year to the same type of hustle that has personified this year’s team. Based on the effort and play of this year’s team the future looks bright!

When a team has character it is most interesting to watch. For a sports fan, one that looks for the spirit of the contest, these are the teams we follow. Remember when the San Francisco 49ers went 2-14, then hired Bill Walsh as coach. Two years later they won the Super Bowl with Joe Montana at the helm. That team had no real superstars, just a winning coach and a good quarterback who played his heart out, as Kylie Nore would say, “each and every game.” The Yuba College Lady 49ers really are something special!