The Scorpions basketball girls suffered a couple of close losses in the last two weeks, but still maintain a strong record.

The Sedona Red Rock High School Scorpions are now 3-3 overall, 1-0 in the Division III, Section III conference, going into the winter break, and they’ve been playing hard for that good standing.

After a big 76-9 win over the Northland Prep Spartans at home, the Scorpions traveled to Prescott the next day to face the Prescott Badgers [8-3], a Division II team. They lost the game by just four points, 61-57.

“The girls were aggressive defensively, they played hard,” said Jackie Strickling, the Scorpions head coach. “We missed a lot of easy shots and free throws which could have helped us get the win.”

Scorpions junior Zhara Laster had 21 points and four steals while senior Tiana Hatler had 21 points and 11 rebounds in that game.

The girls rested over the weekend for their next game at Bradshaw Mountain, another Division II team. Laster had 18 points and five steals, and senior Sierra Hatler had 11 points, but the Scorpions lost 65-54.

“Again, we missed a lot of easy shots and free throws,” Strickling said. “Bradshaw Mountain has a strong team. The next game against them at home should be good.”

The following night the girls traveled to Mayer and dominated the court with 30 steals and a 65-13 victory.

“Our full-court defense created a lot of steals for us,” Strickling said.

Laster had 27 points and 14 steals. Junior Amber Rippy had 12 points and four steals.

On Friday, Dec. 14, the Badgers came into town…

For the full story, please see the Wednesday, Dec. 19, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.