Yuba has a pair worth watching

Remember the April, 1985 Sidd Finch story in Sports Illustrated, written by the late George Plimpton? The one about the baseball savant who wandered into the New York Mets training camp and impressed the brass with his 168 mph fastball? Plimpton's April Fool's Day fiction fooled a number of people.

Well, here one that's better--preferable because it's true.

Mareceo Rutledge, a freshman basketball player for Coach Doug Cornelius at Yuba JC, is currently averaging 23.2 ppg, shooting .545 from the floor (192-352) and .480 on his three-point attempts (86-179). Cornelius says simply: "He's the best shooter I've ever seen."

When not dropping dimes and treys, Rutledge also rebounds at a 4.8 per game clip and pass for 3 assists a contest.

Where did this young man come from? Unlike the exotic 'lineage' of Finch, Rutledge is from the Sacramento area, having graduated from Natomas High School three years ago. Knowing he wasn't ready to continue his education, Rutledge went to work, while still playing some ball and working out with weights. He's now 6-3, 225.

Coach Cornelius offered Rutledge the chance to come to Yuba out of high school and continued to stay in contact. Finally, Cornelius' phone rang one day. It was Rutledge. He was ready for school and junior college basketball.

Boy was he ready.

Not only has Rutledge put himself into contention for State Player Of The Year Honors but he sports a 3.3 grade point average. And he has promised Cornelius to work this summer on his off-the-ball defense! Per Cornelius, "Maraceo is extremely unselfish--he sees the open teammate and will get the ball to him."

Rutledge has another year to go at Yuba but already a number of Division One teams have taken notice. Utah has already offered.

There is another Rutledge at Yuba, Mareceo's brother and fellow freshman, Martelee. Both are lefties and often confused for twins as they look similar and often dress alike.

Two other Yuba players of note: 6-6, 250 forward Trevor Pitts is averaging 10.0 ppg. and 6.8 rpg. He may need to go Division Two and Chaminade and Cal State San Bernadino are eyeing him. 6-8 B.J. Visman is getting looks from Irvine, Butler, Bradley, Vermont, Sacramento State and Brown. Visman is averaging 12.6 and 7.9.

As for Coach Cornelius, he has revived a long dormant Yuba program. The native of Mt. Shasta was upset at winning but 11 games in his initial year at Yuba but the community was ready to elect him mayor! That's how moribund the program had been.

In 2003, the team won 22 games and the Bay Valley Conference title. 2004 produced 24 victories and Yuba was just two points from making the Final Four. 2005 ended with Cornelius' squad barely missing the Elite Eight.

Coach Cornelius' resume also includes coaching in the WNBA with the Sacramento Monarchs, a couple of seasons doing scouting and video with the Sacramento Kings, coaching in the Sacramento Professional Development League and six years as an assistant at American River JC.

One note worthy of mention is Cornelius' friendship with former New York Giant defensive back Jason Sehorn (Cornelius was a groomsman at Sehorn's wedding to actress Angie Harmon). With Yuba, like so many schools, not exactly financially flush, Sehorn has helped out financially so that the basketball program could purchase new equipment, uniforms and travel sweats. Call Sehorn the off court Yuba benefactor.

But call Mareceo Rutledge the patron on court.