Page Sand Devils girls and boys basketball squads are ready for hoops action.

Now that the player cuts have been made and teams have a full roster, the squads prepare for their regular season opener with a scrimmage game.

PAGE LADY SAND DEVILS

Page garnered the 3A State Championship last year, under Ryan Whitehorse, who begins his fifth year as head coach.

The Lady Sand Devils completed the season with a 27-4 record and finished with an unblemished 10-0 3A North Region mark.

Eight players return from last year's team. Returning starters senior forward Camryn Nockideneh, junior center Diana Secody and sophomore guard Miquedah Taliman lead the Lady Sand Devils. Nockideneh earned First Team 3A North All-Region and Second Team 3A All-Conference. Taliman was selected Honorable Mention 3A North All-Region.

Returning players include, senior point guard Ashlyn Adakai; junior guard Nadya Begay; junior post Torrance Begay; junior guard Francine Keyonnie; and junior guard Neve Redhair.

Whitehorse said the Lady Sand Devils' biggest strength is defense.

"Defense is all we've been focusing on in practices and all summer so far," Whitehorse said. "We know we're the tallest or most athletic team in the state, so we make it up on defense. We've been really working on the fundamentals of defense and our rotation. The more reps we get and as the season progresses, it will all come together."

Whitehorse noted team chemistry is working well.

"The girls grew up playing together and most are coming from volleyball, where they were successful," Whitehorse said. "So that helps and translate to our season."

He said the team has to communicate better on the hardwood.

"Everything we do on defense requires team to talk," Whitehorse stated. "Right now it is not where it needs to be. But, I think the more games we get under our belt, is will come together. Once the girls and new ones to the team understand the importance of talking and trusting one another, we will do better defensively. Some of the returnees also don't have much varsity playing experience also. So once they get more games in, they'll get settled into their roles more."

Whitehorse said every year the Lady Sand Devils' goal is to win the state championship.

"In order to continue the tradition, we have to stick to our fundamentals, stay disciplined and out-work the other team every night," Whitehorse said. "Our program is known for defense and that is my priority right now is to make sure we are ready defensively before our first game."

The Lady Sand Devils travel to Flagstaff this Saturday to face Coconino High School, Boulder Creek High School and Highland High School in a scrimmage.

PAGE SAND DEVILS

First-year Page boy's head coach Justin Smith welcomed ten returning players from last year's 20-8 ball team that earned a 3A state tournament berth.

Smith was Page Lady Sand Devils head coach for seven years, prior to becoming the boy's head coach.

Page finished 7-3 in 3A North Region last year. The Sand Devils earned a state tournament berth. The Sand Devils were eliminated in the second round of the state tournament.

Returning players include, senior guard Gabe Gomez; junior guard Jonah Holiday; senior guard Jordan Varner; sophomore guard Maurice Smith; senior guard Benjamin Alvarez; junior guard Trent Holiday; senior guard Ezra Larson; senior post Evan Cambridge; junior guard Brennon Atene; and junior guard Robert Smith.

Gomez was selected 3A North Region Offensive Player of the Year and 3A Honorable Mention All-State. Jonah Holiday was voted Second Team 3A North All-Region.

Smith said the team's goal is to work hard and get better every day.

"We would like to improve on our cohesion an learning to play as a team," Smith said. "I think we will have depth and I anticipate our defense being a strength this year."