With 1 minute and 31 seconds left in the first quarter Monday night, Kingman Academy scored their first points of the game. A pair of free throws was cause for celebration. After going down 17-0 to start, the Tigers were finally on the board.

For Sedona Red Rock High School girls basketball, it was just business as usual. The Scorpions [1-0] picked up right where they left off from their state finals appearance in March by terrorizing opposing shooters and being bullies in the post in Monday night’s season opener, defeating Kingman 63-18.

“[Kingman] weren’t bad inside,” head coach Kirk Westervelt said. “But our defense, we trap and we deny the entry pass.”

On a night when Sedona’s outside shots weren’t falling and there was some offensive rust to knock off, the Scorpions created offense with defense. Their full-court press defense clogged the Tigers’ passing lanes, leading to countless turnovers that led to easy layups on fastbreak opportunities. All five Sedona starters anticipated the Kingman offense to a tee, spearheaded by junior guard Annabelle Cook, the Scorpions’ “Energizer bunny.”

“She’s our pitbull. She’s our pest,” Westervelt said. “She’s the tip of the spear on defense whether it’s full-court, [zone] or regular.”

That “pest” role was effective. She and junior guard Helen Westervelt put the pressure on Kingman’s offense all night, interfering with their offensive rhythm.

“My job is to get in their face and get them riled up,” Cook said. “That’s what causes turnovers. That’s what causes fast breaks and that’s kind of our specialty.”

Monday night, it was their specialty indeed. The Scorpions forced 21 turnovers on defense, many of which led to “baseball passes” down court for an easy layup.

Sedona returned all five starters from last season’s 15-1 state finalist squad, and the continuity showed on offense. Sedona’s ball-movement was meticulous and methodical. Oftentimes all five players on the court would touch the ball before getting a shot off, leading to open looks from three or a clean lane in the paint for an easy two.

“I can read the court,” Cook said. “I get the ball from Helen [Westervelt] and I know Stephanie [Medel] is coming. We just know each other so well. I know Nyah [Valdez] is going to be in the same spot every time. I just know how each of us move.”

That familiarity clearly worked as all players had major roles on offense. Sophomore forward Rachel Roderick led the way in scoring with 16 points, as her physical presence in the paint and the low-post was nearly unguardable against a smaller Kingman squad. Cook was right behind with 15 as she began to heat up in the second and third quarters from range. Valdez, the senior guard and Sedona sharpshooter, added 14 with some big shots off open looks.

After the big opening season win, Sedona sets its eyes on perhaps the biggest competition it’ll face all season. Beginning Thursday, Dec 9, the Scorpions will compete in the Pepsi Holiday Tournament in Flagstaff, where they’ll take on 4A competition like Coconino and Paradise Honors. After the weekend tournament, Sedona will face a couple of 3A squads: Tuba City on the road Tuesday, Dec. 15, and at home against rival Camp Verde Friday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m.