As the regular season winds down for the Sedona Red Rock High girls basketball team, the playoffs are still in sight.
First year Scorpions coach Michael Sells spoke about Sedona’s growth from the beginning of the season along with their goals and expectations moving forward.
How is your first season as head coach going?
It is a learning process for both the girls and me but all in all it is going fine. These girls are all young and we are taking it game by game when it comes to learning. While many of the players lack experience, expectations are the same whether I am coaching boys’ or girls’ basketball. What I love about our team is the effort. Effort is hard to teach because if you have to tell kids to try then you have already lost the battle. We try hard and we are also getting better basketball-wise.
What has been the focus of practice at this point in the season?
We have been emphasizing
areas that we have struggled in so far this season such as rebounding and shooting. We are struggling to score so we have been focusing on where to get good shots on offense and improving our shot selection. We have been simulating where scoring opportunities
will come in a game during practice to help prepare.
How has the Scorpions’ press fared this season?
The press has been solid at times but we must remain consistent. When we want to be aggressive it is good but there are times where we are lackadaisical
on defense. We do not move very well, so if the opponent makes a few passes, then we tend to fall back into our defense. I do not know if it is from fatigue but we do not move very [well] on defense. Our 35-31 loss against Northland Prep is a great example as we were really timid and then we fell behind. Once we had to turn up the intensity and force turnovers,
our defense was much better but that goes with learning. You have to start games aggressive instead of waiting until you fall behind.
How far have the players come from the first practice until now?
A ton. I see things every game from one girl to the next that they would not have even attempted. They are gaining confidence and I know things are getting through to them. We have to remember that a lot of these girls have only ever played junior high basketball.
We are asking a lot from them as they must compete against girls that may have two or three years of varsity experience.
They are trying to apply the things they are learning and I see that on a day-to-day basis.
What would you consider a successful season?
State playoffs. We are currently right on the verge but if we win three or four more games then we should make it. We have gone through a lot of adversity this season with Mary Westervelt’s injury and girls we counted on not playing. This season has been a roller coaster; we had 15 girls at the beginning of the season but had to play six at the Camp Verde tournament.
I think a successful season with everyone as a freshman except two of us would be a playoff berth.
Who have been the Scorpions’ key players through the halfway point?
Emma Beattie and Stephanie Medel are playing well. I have given Stephanie a hard time about not shooting enough so she has been more aggressive offensively. Her first thought was not to shoot and that mentality is hard to change in a player. Defensively, those two are great rebounders and really carry us in that aspect. On the offensive end, Hannah Lanchbury has shot the ball well recently. Her shooting has helped us space the floor and create more opportunities on offense so Hannah has been key for us lately.
