Annie Parrella is so indispensable a player in the Sedona Red Rock High School girls basketball program, she still is not certain who would replace her.

“That’s a good question,” said the senior point guard, who scored 10 points Jan. 29 — Senior Night — in a 71-37 crushing of Hopi High School. “I was wondering that myself.”

It is no longer any kind of prideful belief for the Scorpions, who are 24-5 overall, ranked second in Division IV and undefeated champions of Section I after winning their 13th straight game Friday, Feb. 5, 50-45, at Ganado High School.

“I’m excited for State,” Parrella said. “Hopefully, the whole month of February, we’ll be playing basketball.

“I’ve wanted to win State every year. I think we can. This is the last chance I have, and I think this is the best chance we have.”

As the regular season ends, her leadership has elevated SRRHS to one of the favorites to win the state tournament. The Scorpions’ only two losses outside of tournament play have come at top-ranked Phoenix Christian High School and at home to rival Camp Verde High School, who SRRHS could face again Thursday, Feb. 11, at Flagstaff High School.

“It’s a lot of pressure,” Parrella said. “Of course, I don’t want to let my team down.”

Parrella, one of SRRHS’ smartest with a 4.3 grade-point average, looks to use her Sedona Rotary Club scholarship at the University of Arizona in the fall.

“I’m sad that it’s coming to an end,” Parrella said. “Basketball is probably my favorite sport I’ve ever played.”

Much in the same way nobody could replace Parrella as a setter when she would rotate out of the lineup the last two years for the varsity volleyball team, she has transformed into a player without whom the Scorpions are a different basketball team.

“When I came in, there were more girls, but I didn’t have as much fun,” she said. “At one point, I don’t know exactly when, but I was going to quit basketball. Looking back, I can’t believe I even considered it.”

Jan. 29 was Senior Night for more than just Parrella, though. Senior forward Wyatt Stevenson made the most of it as well for the boys varsity, hitting for a season-high 14 on seven of 11 field goals as SRRHS doubled up the Bruins, 74-36, in the nightcap.

The Scorpions will need his height to topple top seed Alchesay High School and win the sectional tournament, which starts Friday, Feb. 12.

For the full boys and girls basketball sectionals schedules, please see the Wednesday, Feb. 10, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.