The girls basketball team at Sedona Red Rock High continued to play well Tuesday, Jan. 19, going on the road to defeat North Pointe Preparatory in a close one, 50-44.

With the victory, Sedona has won five of its last seven contests including two in a row, improving to 10-8 overall on the season.

“I think we’ve started going the right direction and the North Pointe win was big for us because we need to continue to win to accomplish what we want this season and that is to get to state,” senior team captain Katie Adams said.

Adams scored 18 points and pulled 10 rebounds against North Pointe on Tuesday, sealing the deal for the Scorpions at the charity stripe when she hit two big free throws with 20 seconds to go to put her team up for good.

The Scorpions are ranked No. 6 in the 3A conference according to the Arizona Interscholastic Association power point standings, which were released Thursday, Jan. 21.

Well on the way to a fifth straight state playoff appearance, Sedona is also looking to secure the top seed in the 3A-West region so it can host the region tournament in the first week of February.

Also, if the Scorpions can finish in the top eight in power points, they would host a first-round state playoff game when the bracket begins play Friday, Feb. 12.

Against North Pointe on Tuesday, the Scorpions almost let the victory slip through their fingers.

Tied 15-15 at halftime, Sedona outscored the Falcons 23-10 to take a 38-25 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

A few of the North Pointe players looked as if they were done playing basketball for the night during the quarter break, but junior point guard Corinne Peterson wasn’t going to let her team fall by the wayside.

Led by Peterson, North Pointe outscored the Scorpions 19-12 in the fourth quarter as Peterson scored 13 of her 24 points on the night in the period.

Also looking to disappoint the Scorpions was junior Taylor Little, who scored six of her 15 in the fourth quarter.

Peterson and Little were the only two players to sniff a basket in the period against Sedona but the Scorpions held on for the victory, salting it away at the charity stripe by going 8-13 from the line.

The Scorpions were 12-21 from the line on the game.

Sedona senior point guard Rita Clancy was outstanding as well for the Scorpions, scoring 21 points while recording five assists and four steals in the winning effort.

“They were tough, but we were able to hold on for the win,” Clancy said.

Besides Clancy and Adams who scored 39 of Sedona’s 50 points on the night, freshman forward Sierra Hatler pulled nine rebounds and scored three points, going 3-4 from the free- throw line in the fourth quarter to help her Scorpions win.

Finding a third and even fourth scorer in the Scorpion lineup continues to be a problem for Sedona who will need others to step up if they want to compete when they get to the state playoffs in two weeks.

Other standouts included junior Chelsea Strong who scored four points and pulled three rebounds while recording two steals. Strong did a standout job against Peterson defensively, switching with Clancy throughout the game.

Remaining Schedule

The Scorpions were supposed to play Williams High School on Thursday, Jan. 21, but because of weather the game was cancelled and rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 27, with a tentative tip-off time of 2:30 p.m.

Sedona, who will play four of its last five games at home to end the regular season, will welcome Valley Christian Academy on Saturday, Jan. 23.

Valley Christian, who is a perfect 20-0 on the season, will pose a tough contest for the Scorpions tomorrow. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.

After Valley Christian, Phoenix Christian Academy is scheduled to come to town Tuesday, Jan. 26.

There is no break with the Phoenix Christian matchup either for the Scorpions as the Cougars are a perfect 23-0 entering this weekend’s games against Bourgade Catholic High School and Scottsdale Christian Academy.

The Phoenix Christian matchup will be the first of three in a row as the Williams makeup game is Wednesday, Jan. 27, and Sedona will make its last road trip of the regular season Thursday, Jan. 28, to Wickenburg High School.

Sedona will rest Friday, Jan. 29, but then turn around and host Camp Verde High School for senior night Saturday, Jan. 30. Tip-off for the Camp Verde game is scheduled for

5:30 p.m.

Brian Bergner Jr. can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 131, or e-mail bbergner@larsonnewspapers.com