SEDONA — The Sedona boys basketball program has struggled in recent seasons, having not qualified for the state playoffs since the 2017-18 campaign.

When a high school team scuffles like that, it can be tough to celebrate the small victories. But every now and again, something special happens and sometimes, it can contribute to turning a program around.

Well, something special did happen in Sedona on Dec. 9 as Nicholas Hermen hit 12 3-pointers in a game against BASIS Flagstaff, breaking a 24-year-old school record.

Sedona lost the game, 82-63, but nevertheless, that record will go down as one of the best games by a Scorpion basketball player in school history.

Hermen ended the contest with 40 points, hitting eight 3-pointers in the first half. The senior didn’t score in the third quarter, but dropped four 3-pointers in the final period for the record.

The official scorebook shows the 12 3-pointers by senior Nicholas Hermen (No. 1) during a game against BASIS Flagstaff on Dec. 9, 2024. (Sedona Athletics/Courtesy)

“When I found out I broke the school record, I thought it was pretty cool, but I didn’t really think too much about it because we lost the game,” Hermen said. “Afterwards I realized how cool it was, but now I want to beat the state record. So, that’s one of my goals now.”

The current 2A state record is held by Jake Taylor who hit 15 in 2019-2020 for Trivium Prep. Interestingly enough, the 6A and 5A records are by Aidyn Albright, who hit 11 twice for Horizon, and Kino Bellinger, who hit 11 for Buena, respectively.

Michael Sells, who played for Sedona in 1997-2001, was the former Scorpion record holder, hitting 11 against Northwest Christian during the club’s 2000-01 campaign, his senior year.

At the time, Sedona was coming off a 27-win season in 1999-2000 when the group made it all the way to the 2A state semifinals, which still stands as the only team from the program to make a Final Four.

Pedro Ortega, current Sedona athletic director and coach of the program, said it was exciting to watch Hermen’s game and the “great accomplishment” it was.

“His hard work and dedication have paid off. I’m very proud of him,” Ortega said, adding later, “It’s been a pleasure to coach Nicholas. His work ethic and leadership are excellent, which makes him a great team captain.”

Hermen credits former Sedona coach, George Gleason, for instilling that “work ethic” in him, and allowing a young player in eighth grade to practice with the high school team during the summer.

“I was on the middle school team, but I knew all the varsity players [at the high school] and would get to practice with them. The coach was my teacher and he liked me as a student,” said Hermen, who plans to attend a trade school after graduating to learn to be an electrician.

“Coach Gleason brought me up to varsity my sophomore year. I didn’t get many minutes, but he worked me super hard in practice so that I could start my junior year,” Hermen said. “[So, when I started] my junior year [under a new coach], I knew that’s when all the work with coach Gleason paid off.”

Sedona (4-8, 1-3 2A Central) heads to Camp Verde on Tuesday, Jan. 21. Tipoff against their cross-town rival is set for 7 p.m.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on X at @AzPreps365Brian or on Facebook at @Five2MediaWorks. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.