In 2010, five Sedona Red Rock High School seniors were eighth-graders at West Sedona School playing at the Small Schools State basketball championships for head coach Pedro Ortega.

After most of them have spent the past two seasons out of the sport, they have returned, along with new head coach C.J. Sells, for a final season together playing the sport they love.

There has been unavoidable rust to shake off.

“They’re just tentative, not real reactive when they get on the floor,” Sells said. “They have to think. They don’t have all the experience to draw back on when somebody plays multiple defenses or puts pressure on.”

But for seniors Tucker Davis, Jasper Herrick, Dylan McNeill, Skyler Richardson and Gary Schlee, who placed third in the state their final year as basketball players at West Sedona, there has also been the rush of playing in front of their home fans again.

They have not only brought to the Scorpions their 2010 experience but have led by that example through the Phoenix Christian High School Christmas Basketball Tournament, which concludes Wednesday, Dec. 31.

For the full story, please see the Wednesday, Dec. 31, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.