The No. 22 Scorpion girls basketball team traveled to Window Rock High School on Wednesday, Feb. 15, and were denied any further advancement in the Division III state playoffs, losing to the No. 11 Fighting Scouts, 63-31.

“We had a very challenging schedule this season, and it was a real achievement to even reach the state playoffs,” second-year Sedona Red Rock High School Head Coach Tina Hawes said.

At the end of the first quarter at Window Rock in round one of the state tournament, Sedona was tied with the Fighting Scouts, 8-8.

From then on, however, the Scorpions struggled to get anything going and were outscored 13-3 in the second period to trail 21-11 at halftime, and 42-20 in the second half to go on and lose, 63-31.

“The baskets weren’t falling for us tonight,” Hawes said. “This season showed how much drive and competitiveness our team has, and I’m full of pride and have great expectations for the future.”

Sophomore guard Morgan Hawes led the Scorpions with nine points while twin junior forwards Tiana and Sierra Hatler-Stefick each had eight rebounds in the defeat.

“I’m so proud of my team. We finally came together, and we made it to state when we had a really difficult season schedule. We put all our hearts into the team, and you could definitely see it,” Morgan Hawes said.

With the loss, Sedona wraps up the 2011-2012 season with a 16-12 overall record. The Scorpions finished the season ranked No. 22 out of 56 total teams in the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Division III.

Next season looks bright for the Scorpions who will lose only four seniors to graduation but none of the core players in the rotation.

Seniors Taylor Nolte, Cheyann Walker, Ashley Haas and Katie Furlong will be missed, according to Tina Hawes, and she praised them for doing such a great job this season.

“I’m so proud of us and how far we came,” Haas said. “We all work well with one another on and off the court. We are truly a family.”