The Sedona Red Rock High boys basketball team lost to Camp Verde High 58-53 Tuesday, Dec. 5.

The Sedona Red Rock High boys basketball team lost to Camp Verde High 58-53 Tuesday, Dec. 5.

The boys were down 53-33 early in the fourth quarter but made a valiant comeback to close the lead to 57-53 with under a minute left.

Michael Krajnak scored seven points and handed out two assists in a two-minute span to cut the lead down to four.

Sedona, down five with just over a minute left, was unable to make two free throws to make the contest a one-possession game.

A Krajnak-desperation three-pointer was wildly off from 25 feet out with 20 seconds remaining, clinching the victory for CVHS.

Sedona shot an incredible four of 20 from the free-throw line and only 44 percent from the floor.

?It was an off night. We had some shooting problems. We could have at least 10 more points if we just made a few more free throws and a couple more shots,? Head Coach Mike Krajnak said.

Sedona was within double digits throughout most of the first half before the Cowboys made a 12-point run in the third and fourth quarters.

Matt Nazarian had one of his most impressive outings of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Nazarian was able to establish post position and received feeds from SRRHS guards that CVHS defenders were unable to reach.

?He looked good. He looked strong,? Coach Krajnak said.

Nazarian not only displayed brute strength near the basket but was also able to create shooting lanes with quick spins and body turns.

Nazarian dominated the boards when he was in the game against the Cowboys athletic duo of Seth Mosley and Jordan Lewis, both 6?4?? players.

Luke Dumyahn was active in the contest, penetrating the defense and shooting runners in the lane. Dumyahn added six points, four steals, four assists and four rebounds in the game.

Athletic freshman Kevin Cox contributed as well, showing vast potential for the future.

Currently, Cox runs the court with reckless abandon and is able to extend above the defense on the glass for rebounds. In limited minutes, Cox had eight rebounds, many of those coming on the offensive end of the court.

Sedona had 19 turnovers against Camp Verde.

Turnovers have been an early concern for Sedona. But many of the turnovers against CVHS came off what Coach Krajnak said is a slick surface.

Each year, the SRRHS gym floor is stripped and refloored. This year, according to Coach Krajnak, there have been many complains due to the slickness of the playing surface.

?It is difficult to play a basketball game on ice,? Coach Krajnak said.

Coach Krajnak said that he has received similar complaints from opponents and officials.

On many occasions, Sedona players would attain a loose ball only to find themselves on the floor after losing their footing. Coach Krajnak counted at least four occasions where Sedona turned the ball over due to falling on the ground.

Players had difficulties even keeping their pivot foot planted on the floor without sliding.

A flooring firm makes the changes each year. Sedona Red Rock High maintenance could not be reached for comment as of press time.

Sedona splits tourney

The boys split four games at the Winslow Tournament, defeating Round Valley High 60-57 and Tuba City High 63-58 but losing to Fountain Hills High 66-53 and Payson High 78-43.

Against Tuba City, Sedona used a 28-14 advantage in the third quarter to pull ahead.

Dumyahn had 20 points, seven rebounds and two steals, while Michael Krajnak had 25 points and seven assists.

Krajnak and Dumyahn combined for 41 points, Krajnak with 28 against Round Valley.

One of the biggest problems for Sedona throughout the tournament was turnovers, averaging more than 20 per contest.

?We need to keep those turnovers down, but our defense is improving,? Krajnak said.

Backup point guard Oscar Mendoza quit the team recently, which also hurts Sedona?s turnover problem.

Sedona will play Williams High on the road Tuesday, Dec. 12.