MARYSVILLE, Calif. — Roughly 40 miles north of Sacramento sits a small community college that has quietly dominated junior college basketball for the last couple decades. Even though they may be small, what they're accomplishing on the court is anything but.
Inside of the basketball gym at Yuba College in Marysville, it's impossible not to notice all the conference championship banners that decorate the walls.
"We have culture, we're a family, we're really connected, and we play really well together," said sophomore Casen Chaney.
That culture has made the 49ers a force on the hardwood. Not only are they currently ranked in the top 10 in the state, but they have been dominating their opponents along the way.
"We're not just a five man wrecking crew, everybody on this team plays a roll and we have a lot of depth," said Chaney.
"This team, every guy, 15 guys down the line loves each other, respects each other, embraces each other, really wants to see everyone win. It's just a winning environment," added sophomore Caden Flowers.
And when you're winning like the 49ers are, that puts a significant target on your back.
"You have to be thankful for that," said Flowers. "You got to be grateful for the opportunity that you know teams want to come in there and beat you. But then you got to give them the whooping and show them why you're the top 10 team in the state."
The mastermind behind all the success is Head Coach Doug Cornelius.
In the 20-plus years Coach Cornelius has been at the helm, the 49ers have earned 15 conference championships. Just weeks ago, Coach Cornelius amassed his 500th win, which cemented him in the top 15 of California Community College Coaches All-Time. It also made him the winningest college basketball coach in the Sacramento area ever.
"It starts with the fact that I hate to lose at anything," said Cornelius. "If I'm out fishing or doing anything, I hate to lose... I'm a small town guy. We take a lot of pride with being small town guys with chips on our shoulder. The first banner was awesome and the 15th banner was awesome."
More than creating players on the court, Coach Cornelius wants to create great men off the court.
"Making sure we're representing our families the right way," said Cornelius. "Making sure we're doing things the right way as a human being cause it's so much more big picture."
While the 15 conference championships banners are nice, the team is hoping to win their first state title in program history.
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