With 17 girls out for basketball this season, West Sedona School first-year Head Coach Greg Young said goal No. 1 is accomplished.

“We wanted to get out more girls than last season. They had a tough year a season ago and we wanted to make sure to keep the interest up in playing basketball,” Young said.

Eighth-graders Miriam Jaimes and Tiffany Ford are the only “A” team members remaining from the 2009-2010 team that struggled to win only a handful of games.

Young hopes to bring up the excitement level this season, giving more girls a reason to play Wildcats basketball.

Top newcomers include eighth-grade prospects Sophie Copenhaver, Alea Mora and Alondra Ruiz while Shana Newton and Adriana Auiles join in on the fun as well.

Young was happy to report there were three seventh-graders who also made the team in Lezah Richardson, Anne Young and Karen Giorgianni.

“Our next objective is to begin to learn the game of basketball. We may have 17 girls out but many of them haven’t played much basketball,” Young said.

The Wildcats began their season Tuesday, Nov. 16, when they played host to Beaver Creek School. West Sedona struggled to put things together early and lost, 50-13.

West Sedona was in action again Thursday, Nov. 18, against Mayer Middle School but results were unavailable at press time.

Young and his group of girls are scheduled to travel to Camp Verde Middle School on Tuesday, Nov. 30, and won’t return to their home court until after the new year.

“At first, I wasn’t sure if we were going to have enough girls, and now that we do we can focus on basketball. So far, I’ve really enjoyed coaching every one of these girls; all 17 are a treat to have on the team,” Young said.