John Parks back as head coach
A fixture of the Sedona Red Rock High School sports program, John Parks, will be back in the dugout for the 2026 Scorpions softball season as head coach, with Justin Behrman as his assistant.
Girls basketball head coach Deb Miller was set to take over the program this season, but she announced her resignation from both programs on Feb. 11, citing personal reasons.
“It’s a lot of returning players from last year, so nothing too new for this season,” Parks said. “We have four or five new players that haven’t played before, but the majority of the girls, about nine of them, have played before.
“It’s a lot of seniors. The thing is, trying to get some of the underclassmen ready to step in for next year, too, so we can continue the program going from year to year.”
The boys baseball team’s season has been canceled this year because of low turnout. Athletic Director Peter Brock said participation has been a challenge for softball.
“There’s a lot of promise there, but we just can’t afford to have any kids be out because of injury or academics, things like that,” he said.
“Having a team is the most important thing,” Parks said. “Pedro [Ortega] has been coaching the middle school and working on getting those numbers up. They’ve only got a few games, but having those games is important. What it comes down to is keeping the middle school team going.”
Opening their 2A Central season on the road, the Scorpions fell to St. John Paul II Catholic High School in Avondale 25-8 on Feb. 25, before taking on Phoenix Christian High School on Monday, March 2. The team will have their home opener on Thursday, March 5, at 3:45 p.m. against the Northland Preparatory Academy Spartans.
“Offensively, we have really good hitters on the team,” said Victoria Araiza, a senior who is thinking about being a business or marketing major in college. “We know our strike zone, we know when to hit and where to hit. Defensively, we know how to get ground balls, when to catch, where to catch pop flies. We just need more of a push to accomplish what we’re capable of.”
Coming off the 2025 season with an overall record of 6-12, the Scorpions will be fielding a more experienced team this year composed of at least five seniors.
“Natalie Juan is coming in playing shortstop and doing her best to pick up the pitching slack, and Giselle Wolf is also working on pitching,” Parks said. “Pitching is what we need to work on the most. Giselle has only been playing for two years and she’s just a natural at picking things up. She’s a leadoff hitter, a good slap hitter, puts the ball in play and she’s fast.
“Natalie’s got a great arm and knows what to do with the ball when she gets it. And then Brittney Hansbraugh playing catcher, and she’s looking really good right now, she’s hitting the crap out of the ball.”
Senior right fielder Diana Alvarez Araiza said she believes the Scorpions have improved the most on the defensive side heading into her final year before she likely begins training for a career in health care.
“The team and the coaches have been my favorite part of my time here,” she said. “I really love being with them and making memories, especially during games, the wins and the losses, and learning what we can take from our mistakes. We’ve definitely focused on being more encouraging and staying positive. When we lose, we don’t let it bring us down. We always try to rebuild that positivity. Honestly, just talking things out and making sure everyone on the team feels heard has been the most important thing for us all four years.”
“Victoria Araiza has played for four years on the high school team she got a great glove in the outfield, every fly ball she’s right on top of it,” Parks said. “Then we picked up Velkin Zenteno this year, and she’s played a little the last two years, but this year she’s really stepped up.”
“People should come out to see us play to see our improvement,” Natalie Juan said. “We all start somewhere, and we’re working toward getting to tournaments and not just playing against local schools.”
Sedona Red Rock Home Schedule
Thursday, March 5, 3:45 p.m. vs. Northland Prep Spartans
Wednesday, March 25, 3:45 p.m. vs. Fountain Hills Falcons
Thursday, April 2, 3:45 p.m. vs. Madison Highland Heat
Tuesday, April 7, 2 p.m. vs. Williams Vikings
Thursday, April 9, 3:45 p.m. vs. Phoenix Christian Cougars
Thursday, April 16, 3:45 p.m. vs. Scottsdale Christian Eagles
Thursday, April 23, 3:45 p.m. vs. Camp Verde Cowboys
Friday, April 24, 3:45 p.m. vs. Desert Heights Prep Coyotes
