Just when you think you can pounce...

At least on prejudging the personnel, Yuba College looked like prey rather than predator in the 2012-13 season. Hunted rather than hunter. Playing in the state championship game the year before must have seemed like an alternate universe.

Even Coach Doug Cornelius had concerns -- "coming into the season we thought we would take some lumps."

He had nine freshman and two sophomores at his disposal. The prediction was a fifth-place finish.

So what happened?

Try a 15-1 Bay Valley Conference record.

Try a now seven-in-a-row league championships.

That's part of the fun and wonder about sports. Games offer the opportunity for necessary learning experiences. Losses can trigger the needed mindset and often educate more than wins. Plus, every so often the collective whole proves greater than the sum of the individual parts even on an undersized squad such as the 49ers.

Here's the rundown:

On November 2, the 49ers fell 72-71 to powerful host and predicted state champion City College of San Francisco. Call this one a moral victory if such a situation actually exists.

An 86-75 loss to Mt. San Antonio soon followed, this despite a three point 49er lead with two minutes to go in the matchup with the eventual state champions.

But December 8 proved to be a turning point, one in a positive direction despite a 95-59 defeat at the hands of 2013 Final Four participant Chaffey College. 

Cue up Coach Cornelius: "it was an eye opener as the kids realized this wasn't going to be easy. A light started coming on with them and they realized the need to focus and work harder."

Oh boy, did it.

From then on, the 49ers posted an 11-game win streak and then a four game victory. The embarrassment of a huge loss wounded pride rather than creating pointed fingers and a circular firing squad. It woke up a youthful band of talent to the reality that a greater effort was needed.

So can the positive direction continue despite the loss of freshman guard and conference Most Valuable Player Akachi Okugo plus Achoku Moikobu and Yev Dyachenko?

"On paper, we look pretty good," Cornelius offered. "We have seven guys coming back, including our starting five and four and their backups."Leading scorer Chris Smith returns as does Jaysen Williams (8.1 points), Gary Melvin (7.6 points), Jeremy Bubier (5.9 points) and Darrell Polee (5.7 points).

That's without any additions to the team.

Also, let's offer a major shout-out to the folks behind the Yuba College men's basketball site. Here's wishing every community college hoops program emulated this.