As Sedona students head into the spring semester, the Sedona Red Rock Junior High girls basketball team wants to keep up its electric play.

Led by Macy Valdez and Helen Westervelt, the Scorpions are a perfect 12-0 and do not look to slow down anytime soon.

“They are both two very gritty and tough players who will not break under duress,” Sedona Red Rock Junior High coach Kirk Westervelt said.
While Valdez is new to basketball, Westervelt said he believes her potential on the hardwood is immense.

“Macy had never played basketball before in her life. If I had her a year ago she would be lights out by now,” Westervelt said. “She does not really know the game but the sky’s the limit for Macy if she commits herself during the offseason.”

Westervelt said he believes Valdez’s competitiveness and soccer skills have helped her make an impact this season.

“Soccer has given her great footwork, which helps her attack the ball,” Westervelt said. “In soccer you are never watching the ball so she has that mentality on the court and it is working in our favor.”

For Sedona, attacking ball handlers on defense and winning the turnover margin have been key to the Scorpions’ success.

“Ball control and the turnover margin are two areas we like to emphasize,” Westervelt said. “If we can limit our mistakes then we should win both games but ball safety is always critical at this level.”

With matchups against Immaculate Conception Catholic School on Tuesday, Jan. 8, and Camp Verde on Thursday,

Jan. 10, Westervelt said he believes ball safety will be key for the Scorpions this week.

“All five girls need to have the ability to handle the ball for when opponents want to bring pressure,” Westervelt said. “The press may not come this week but eventually a team will turn up the heat and we have to respond.”

While the Scorpions have handled the press well so far, Sedona would like to remain sharp against pressure defenses.

“We have fared well in practicebut pressure bursts pipes for some players but you never know until the real deal,” Westervelt said. “Only the future can tell but overall they have responded well this season against the press.

Despite maintaining a perfect record this late into the season, Westervelt does not feel there is any added pressure on the girls.

“We tell them we have to win every quarter, whether it is the starters or the second or third-string players in the game,” Westervelt said. “We try to focus on winning quarters instead of entire games to keep the team hungry and motivated no matter who is in.”

The Scorpions honed in on their fundamentals during the holidays to remain sharp during the break.

“We focused skill work over the break with the players working on blocking out, posting up and dribble handoffs in practice,”
Westervelt said.

With multiple players gone for the holidays, the Scorpions were able to showcase their depth coming off the bench.

“In our last two games we have played without three starters and our bench showed how deep we are as a team,” Westervelt said.

The Scorpions’ next home game is Thursday, Jan. 10, when Sedona hosts Camp Verde Middle School.

Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m. with the B teams playing first. The A team game will start after the conclusion of the B game.
This year, the junior high state tournament will be held at Clarkdale Middle School from Thursday, Feb.