The Sedona Red Rock High girls and boys basketball teams defeated Chino Valley High on Friday, Feb. 2.

The Sedona Red Rock High girls and boys basketball teams defeated Chino Valley High on Friday, Feb. 2.

The boys hosted Parker High in the first round of the regional tournament while the girls hosted River Valley. Both games were played Tuesday, Feb. 6, but results were not available by press time.

The girls won in the final minute of the final regular season game against CVHS 36-31.

SRRHS was down three points with just over a minute remaining when Courtney Fitzpatrick made a three-pointer to tie.

CVHS answered on the ensuing possession, racing back with a midrange make with 50 seconds to regain a two-point lead.

Only 10 seconds later, without the aid of a time-out, Breanne Cunningham pulled up at the top of the arc and sunk a go-ahead three-pointer with just over 40 seconds on the clock.

Chino was unable to convert on any of its four shots and air-balled a potential game-tying free throw in the last half-minute.

Danni Jovanovic made the game’s final two points at the line to seal the win with single digits left.

The girls struggled scoring throughout much of the game.

SRRHS had only seven points at halftime and trailed every minute of the game except for the last.

The girls had 18 points through three quarters before exploding for 18 more in the fourth.

The Scorpions’ first half of the game was as unaesthetic as the first half of their season.

CVHS played a 2-3 zone and forced SRRHS into perimeter shots. When the Scorpions weren’t severely missing outside looks, they had trouble locating open players in the zone offense.

Guard penetration was limited and hesitant. Indecision led to pastry shop turnover production in the first three quarters.

Cunningham was briefly taken out in the late second quarter after mishandles, poor decisions and errant passes.

SRRHS held on and stood behind its point guard. The girls were down five points going into the fourth quarter, well within striking distance.

Cunningham made a jump shot at the top of the key early in the quarter.

Cunningham stole a pass and finished for a layup to cut the lead to four.
Fitzpatrick cut the lead to two on an offensive rebound.

It was Cunningham who set up Fitzpatrick’s game-tying shot and it was Cunningham who made the game finisher.

SRRHS could barely find rim before the final minute of play.

Two three-pointers in the waning seconds showed the team’s mental toughness and resiliency.

If Sedona won on Tuesday, the girls will play Thursday at a site to be determined.

The SRRHS boys defeated CVHS 59-46.

Michael Krajnak took control of the game in his 28 minutes of action.
Krajnak was 10 of 13 from the field for 29 points.

“He was pretty consistent,” Head Coach Mike Krajnak said.

Michael Krajnak finished the season leading the 3A West in scoring at 23.9 points per game, ahead of both the Hawkins brothers from Estrella Foothills High.

Luke Dumyahn added 10 points and 12 rebounds and Alex Stefanovich contributed eight points and 11 rebounds.

Matt Nazarian minutes were limited but effective due to his ankle injury. It is planned that Nazarian will be used the same way in the postseason.