Scorpions girls take ownership of team1 min read

By
Jeff Bear
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With five players returning from last year’s team, plus some exciting new players, the Scorpions girls basketball team looks to continue its growth this season under second-year head coach Jackie Strickling.

After graduating three outstanding seniors from last season’s squad, the Scorpions will again rely on three seniors to lead the way for a young roster that should develop its own character as the season progresses.

Strickling said that returning senior post player Gabby Simon will be counted on to provide stability in the blocks, while seniors Khalie Barber and newcomer Yvette Schlee, along with sophomore Annie Parella, should also be big contributors.

Incoming freshman Sophia Perry, who helped lead Big Park to an undefeated season last year, should also be in the mix, she said.
But Strickling said that she won’t name any starters because she wants the players to earn that through their hard work.

“My philosophy is that everyone works really hard in practice and I’m never set on a starting lineup,” she said. “It depends on who’s working hard and who deserves that spot, because practice tells you a lot about who should be on the court.

“Everybody’s got a chance. That way, nobody thinks, ‘I’ll never be a starter.’”

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For the full story, please see the Wednesday, Nov. 20, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.

Jeff Bear

Jeff Bear began his journalism career in 2003 as a graphic designer and sports reporter at the Weekly Register Call in Central City, Colorado. In 2007 he began working at the Canyon Courier in Evergreen, Colorado, as a graphic designer, but soon transferred into the editorial department where he worked as a copy editor and sport reporter under Editor Doug Bell. After a stint as a graphic designer at American Classifieds in 2009-10, Bear began working in 2011 as a copy editor at the Arizona Daily Sun, in Flagstaff. While at the Daily Sun, Bear was tapped by the late Randy Wilson to report on local sports including Northern Arizona University and Olympic medalists training in Flagstaff for the 2012 Olympics. In 2013 Bear began working at the Red Rock News in Sedona, Arizona, where he was an assistant editor and sports editor. Bear has two daughters, Angela and Jessica, with his wife Nina. He is a singer and guitarist, an avid cyclist and hiker, and enjoys camping with family and friends.

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Jeff Bear
Jeff Bear began his journalism career in 2003 as a graphic designer and sports reporter at the Weekly Register Call in Central City, Colorado. In 2007 he began working at the Canyon Courier in Evergreen, Colorado, as a graphic designer, but soon transferred into the editorial department where he worked as a copy editor and sport reporter under Editor Doug Bell. After a stint as a graphic designer at American Classifieds in 2009-10, Bear began working in 2011 as a copy editor at the Arizona Daily Sun, in Flagstaff. While at the Daily Sun, Bear was tapped by the late Randy Wilson to report on local sports including Northern Arizona University and Olympic medalists training in Flagstaff for the 2012 Olympics. In 2013 Bear began working at the Red Rock News in Sedona, Arizona, where he was an assistant editor and sports editor. Bear has two daughters, Angela and Jessica, with his wife Nina. He is a singer and guitarist, an avid cyclist and hiker, and enjoys camping with family and friends.