The Sedona girls junior high team continues on a path to the state championship as Sedona kept its perfect season alive before the holidays.

“Even though the teams are weaker, I tell them play it the right way and use your fundamentals,” Sedona coach Kirk Westervelt said. “Do not try to show them up but we still have to play the game hard and the right way and whatever happens, happens.”

On Tuesday, Dec. 18, Sedona defeated Dr. Daniel Bright School 46-2.

Sedona improved to 11-0 this season.

Helen Westervelt led the Scorpions with 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists while Leah Pedersen added 10 points and six assists.

Sonia Buck and Jill Webber each added six points while Macy Valdez grabbed 10 rebounds.

“One of our biggest strengths has been ball handling and passing and Helen and Leah have been great in those areas,” Kirk Westervelt said. “Since day one I have preached, ‘if you cannot pass you cannot dribble or catch, you are not going to be too good at basketball.”
The Scorpions have stressed unselfishness and ball-movement to get to where they are today.

“The passer gets the nod before the shooter, anybody should make a layup but not everyone can make the pass leading to it,” Westervelt said.

The Scorpions hot streak continued two days later on Thursday, Dec. 20, as Sedona beat Oak Creek School 52-3.

Helen Westervelt led all scorers with 16 points while also accumulating seven rebounds and four assists.

“We were missing three starters [Alma Landaverde, Mayra Parra-Landaverde and Kassandra Lopez] but Sonia, Macy and Jill came off the bench and gave us very productive minutes,” Kirk Westervelt said.

Valdez cleaned the glass with 11 rebounds to go with four points while Weber scored 8 points for the Scorpions and Annalee Dearden scored six.

The win improved Sedona to 12-0 with their last loss coming to Dilcon Community School
33-31 in the Arizona Small Schools State tournament on Feb. 10.
With how well the Scorpions have pressed opponents this season, Westervelt said he hopes an opponent presses Sedona in the near future.

“I would like to see a team press us to see how we perform under those circumstances but it has not happened,” Westervelt said. “I do not think you can put the other team in a comfort zone and let them dictate the game at their pace.”

One game the Scorpions have circled is when Sedona plays Camp Verde on Thursday, Jan. 10.

“Camp Verde is big and physical and if you do not respond, then they will bully you down low,” Westervelt said. “We have to force their guards because they can beat you inside if they can set up their offense.”

Sedona returns to the court on Tuesday, Jan. 8, when Sedona hosts Immaculate Conception Catholic School at 4 p.m. The B-team will not play.