Big Park basketball undefeated3 min read

The Big Park Community School girls basketball team is 7-0 this season under second-year Head Coach Chrissy Walter.

By Nick Ruland
Larson Newspapers
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The Big Park Community School girls basketball team is 7-0 this season under second-year Head Coach Chrissy Walter.

The team defeated Beaver Creek School 26-20 Thursday, Dec. 14.

Talent abounds on the squad that plays as fundamentally sound as any in the Sedona area.

Big Park displayed a multi-faceted attack mature beyond the players? years.

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The team comes at opponents in waves.

Creating the most ripples in the ebb and flow of competition is guard Emma Kukulski.

Kukulski, a formidably built player and ambidextrous ballhandler, sees the court with amazing awareness.

Kukulski, when not finding teammates ahead of the pack, starts fast breaks with gazelle speed.

A killer crossover gives her an ability to penetrate the defense at any angle, though Kukulski prefers to set up teammates.

Aside from court vision, Kukulski delivers arrows from a semi-bowed delivery, always finding herself in a three-point threat position with her head up but body arched.

There?s even more.

?She?s a defensive stopper for us,? Walter said.

Like all of her teammates, Kukulski is willing to sacrifice her body on any given play, regardless of the circumstance.

She has much help.

Micki Javonovich, Most Valuable Player from the team last year, has it all.

Similar in size to her sisters at SRRHS, Javonovich may be the family?s best perimeter shooter. Javonovich knocked down an early three against Beaver Creek that rendered it helpless.

To go along with amazing range for a player her age, Javonovich has a sweet touch inside and flashy handles as one of the biggest players on the squad.

?She has great awareness for a girl her age. She is a great ball-handler,? Walter said.

Javonovich has a keen understanding of the game and is a vocal player and leader. The duo could be the future of the Scorpions basketball program with its versatility, toughness and knowledge of the fundamentals.

The team is built around its defense, and Big Park?s discipline allows for stingy results.

Syvan Diamond is a starting guard who is as quick as they come, according to Walter, and is also an efficient finisher.

Alexandra Seter is noted for her intelligence and sturdy rebounding.

Anni Ngong and Maria Micheli play inside for Big Park.

Ngong, with long arms and tenacity, dominates the boards and adds blocks on defense. Ngong runs well with long strides but is still developing her hands.

Micheli sets devastating picks and can hit a jump shot.

Darlisle Dogan and Abby Parella come off the bench, though Walter believes their time to contribute will come. Dogan is considered the team?s utility player.

More impressive than the ample supply of individual prowess is the girls? collective unity.

The team plays together and the players understand their role on the team.

?We have girls who really work hard,? Walter said.

Two critical games for Big Park are upcoming. First, at West Sedona School on Tuesday, Dec. 19. Then Big Park hosts powerful Camp Verde on Wednesday, Dec. 20.

?We will get to see how good we really are,? Walter said.

Larson Newspapers

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