Having lost several eighth-graders to graduation in May, Wildcats Head Coach Pedro Ortega Sr. wasn’t sure what he was going to get when practice started at the beginning of November.
A few weeks into it, Ortega seems pleased from what he’s seen so far in practice, and he hopes the West Sedona School boys basketball team will be a contender.
“I was worried at first, but now, after what I’ve seen for the first few practices, I think we’ll be a decent team,” Ortega said.
West Sedona’s returning players will attempt to get over their loss to Beaver Creek School in last year’s Verde Valley Athletic Association Small Schools Championship Tournament title game in February.
The Wildcats took second in the small schools division, then went 2-1 at the state tournament, finishing third overall. West Sedona wrapped up the 2010-2011 season with a 15-6 overall record.
Top returners for West Sedona this winter include eighth-graders Bailey Ehrlich and Wyatt Stevenson, both of whom will be in the post in 2011-2012.
Seventh-grader Dawson Stevenson also returns, and should be the point guard for Ortega this season.
The Wildcats have seven newcomers looking to prove what they’re worth including eighth-grade standout Jesus Delgado, who should be a wing player, according to Ortega.
“Jesus [Delgado] is going to be a good player for us. He will be a factor this season,” Ortega said.
Other top newcomers include eighth-graders Alex Kanning and Jordan Rivera along with seventh-graders Dawson Barber, Anthony Olvera and Austin Cottle. Sixth-grader Michael Ortega joins the group as well.
Pedro Ortega Sr. believes the Wildcats should be just as good as anyone else in the league this season, but he didn’t hesitate to point out Beaver Creek and Camp Verde Middle School as the two favorites going into 2011-2012.
West Sedona will have little time to prepare for Beaver Creek, as the 2010-2011 title rematch is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Wildcats season opener.
The Wildcats will have five straight home games after that, starting with Mayer Middle School on Thursday, Nov. 17.
Camp Verde comes to town Tuesday, Nov. 29, and the Wildcats will get Beaver Creek at home Tuesday, Dec. 13.
West Sedona will end its regular season schedule with four straight road games beginning Tuesday, Jan. 10, at Clarkdale-Jerome School.
Rival Big Park Community School will host the Wildcats in the season finale Thursday, Jan. 19.
The VVAA Small Schools Championship Tournament is scheduled to begin Friday, Jan. 27, and run through Saturday, Jan. 28.
Both the small schools and state tournaments will be held at Clarkdale-Jerome.
