Playing five games in two days against opponents generally from higher divisions, the 2A Sedona Red Rock High School girls basketball team knew that it was facing a heavy test as it headed into the Sedona Invitational Basketball Tournament on Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14.
When the games were over, the SRRHS had a lot to be happy about.
The Scorpions got going with a tough 47-38 loss against Window Rock, which finished as the tournament’s runner-up. That ended up being Sedona’s only loss. The Scorpions closed Friday’s action out with wins over Kingman and Cicero Prep to put themselves in the second-place bracket. On Saturday, they defeated Dystart 58-44 and Kingman 58-34 [a bigger margin than the first game between the two teams] to win the second-place bracket.
“We played tough,” coach Kirk Westervelt said. I thought the nerves could get to us. But I knew we had chemistry and we didn’t fold. I was pretty darn happy.”
As has been the case through the early part of the season, a strong full court press gave Sedona a big edge throughout the tournament. Teams often struggle to get the ball over the halfcourt line in 10 seconds without turning it over. When they do, it’s frequently hard for them to get into a set offense. Throughout the tournament, much of the success of the press can be attributed to the play of the freshman backcourt of Annabelle Cook and Helen Westervelt.
Creating turnovers through the press is important for a young SRRHS team as it not only helps keep points off of the boards for the opponents but also helps aid its own offensive efforts.
“We have to create turnovers because we’re not a great shooting team,” coach Westervelt said. “But we create more turnovers than we allow points. We just have to believe and then do it. You have to apply pressure. Our strength is our speed and quickness.”
Also vital to the Scorpions success was the post play of Stephanie Medel and Mary Westervelt. Despite being undersized, both held their own in the low post.
“They’re going against much bigger girls and over 32 minutes you take a pounding,” coach Westervelt said.
In the final game before the tournament, Sedona defeated Scottsdale Prep 57-25 to move to 1-0 in 2A Central Play. As a result of their 4-1 mark in the tournament, the Scorpions are 6-2 overall on the season.
What’s next: The Sedona Invitational Tournament were the final home games for the Scorpions in December. Their final game of 2019 will be played on Friday, Dec. 20 at North Pointe Prep at 6 p.m. Following the break, SRRHS will open January up on the road against Page at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4.
Sedona will finally return home on Friday, Jan. 10 for a 5:30 p.m. game with Camp Verde. The Scorpions will again be at home on Tuesday, Jan. 14 against Glendale Prep. That game will begin at 6 p.m.
