Leading the Scorpions with 14 points, senior Kevin Cox and the rest of the Sedona Red Rock High School boys basketball team went on to defeat visiting Wickenburg High School in the first round of the 3A West regional tournament Saturday, Feb. 6, 56-34.
Although the Scorpions won by 22 points, the game was a lot closer than it appears in the box score.
Wickenburg came to play Saturday, and stuck with the Scorpions blow for blow, trailing by only one point at the end of the first quarter, 13-12.
Sedona couldn’t shake the Wranglers in the second quarter either, and took a 24-23 lead at halftime.
The Scorpions entered Saturday as the No. 2 seed in the 3A West region behind Estrella Foothills High School, who finished No. 1 and received a bye.
Wickenburg received the No. 7 seed and had nothing to lose Saturday, making them a very dangerous team.
“If we beat them … that’s what was supposed to happen, but if they beat us, then it’s an upset,” Sedona Head Coach Bob Murphy said.
Sedona was 2-0 going into Saturday’s contest against the Wranglers, after barely winning the first of two at home Dec. 14, 60-57, then going to Wickenburg and beating them on their own home floor Jan. 28, 67-58.
Both games were just like the first half Saturday, but with a few adjustments made, Murphy’s boys came out firing in the third quarter, going on a 15-2 run in the period to take a 39-25 lead heading to the fourth.
Sedona was just as outstanding offensively in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Wranglers 17-9 to go on and win, 56-34.
Standouts include Cox who scored 14 points on 7-13 shooting while collecting 10 rebounds, four steals and three blocked shots.
Junior forward Troy Loparco had 11 points and nine rebounds while senior Thomas Wisbey had 11 points, four steals, four assists and three rebounds.
Sophomore J.R. Henry added seven points and four rebounds as well.
The Scorpions shot nearly 45 percent on the night, going
23-55 from the field while hitting 9-15 from the charity stripe.
“With the Wickenburg game out of the way, we can now concentrate on our next game,” Murphy said in a one-game-at-a-time voice.
Sedona played No. 6 South Pointe High School on Tuesday, Feb. 9, in the 3A West regional tournament semifinal game. Results were unavailable at press time.
South Pointe traveled to No. 3 Parker High School on Saturday and were victorious, 93-70, setting up the semifinal game with Sedona on Tuesday.
If the Scorpions defeated South Pointe on Tuesday, they would no doubt travel to Estrella Foothills High School for the 3A West regional tournament championship game Thursday, Feb. 11.
Estrella Foothills played host to No. 5 River Valley High School on Tuesday as well and will be the certain favorite.
The Dust Devils traveled to No. 4 Chino Valley High School on Saturday and came away with a 31-30 victory, earning themselves a game with the two-time defending 3A conference state champions.
If the Scorpions dropped the ball Tuesday night, they will probably host River Valley in the third-place game Thursday.
Brian Bergner Jr. can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 131, or e-mail bbergner@larsonnewspapers.com
