Video: Highlights of Copper Hills' Charlie OlsenWEST JORDAN, Utah – Finding ways to neutralize
Copper Hills (West Jordan) on offense is virtually an impossible task for opponents this season. The Grizzlies have far too much balance to be held in check for long.
Their guards can knock down shots on the perimeter and get to the rim. They also have a center who patrols the paint and opens things up for those guards. Four players average double-figures in scoring for Copper Hills and the team as a whole averages 68.1 points per game, third in Class 5A.
It's just too much for most teams to handle and it has helped Copper Hills emerge as one of Utah's top basketball teams this season.
"There's not one guy you can stop because there's always another guy who can step up and make a big play," junior guard
Stockton Shorts said.
All the right ingredients were in place before the season started for Copper Hills to achieve a level of success beyond anything the program has experienced even in recent seasons.
The Grizzlies returned a senior-laden group that has guided the team to back-to-back Class 5A tournament appearances. Many of these players are three-year or four-year starters. A pool of skilled guards powers an up-tempo offense and Copper Hills also has a dominant post player to keep defenses honest.
Preston Sanchez has helped lead Copper Hills to a 15-1 start.
Photo by Dave Argyle
Copper Hills took all those elements and wasted no time churning out a bunch of victories. The Grizzlies ran off 12 consecutive wins to open the season and are 15-1 overall in their first 16 games.
Experience is a huge factor driving continued success. Copper Hills is able to handle the spotlight because these players have the mental mileage required to thrive in these situations.
"The experience allows us to keep a calm head, even under adversity," senior center
Porter Hawkins said. "When games start to get close, sometimes young guys crumble under the pressure. But with that experience you're able to keep going strong and weather the storm."
Hawkins has certainly been a rock for Copper Hills in the post. The 6-foot-8 center averages 11.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
Beyond the stat sheet, he has a knack for creating space around the basket so that teammates can get to the rim when things close off on the perimeter. His rebounding ability also helps give teammates plenty of opportunities at second-chance baskets.
"You got to game plan for him because he's such a big load inside," Copper Hills coach Andrew Blanchard said. "He's able to finish well and draw double teams. When he can do that, it really gives us an advantage out on the perimeter. He does a real good job making (teams) decide who they're going to guard. If they decide to guard our guards, then he can go to work down low."
Strong guard play takes the Copper Hills offense to another level. Shorts is a player who excels on the wing or around the basket. He averages 11.5 points and a team-best 7.2 rebounds per game.
Preston Sanchez, the team's leading scorer at 17.2 points per game, and
Charlie Olsen, who averages 14.1 points per contest, are both dangerous outside shooters.
Generating instant offense is second nature with this crew.
"We're certainly spoiled," Blanchard said. "All of these guys are good players. They can stretch the floor. They have great ball-handling skills. We feel very fortunate to have them and have them be healthy throughout their careers here."
Copper Hills is a team that seems poised to make some serious waves in the playoffs in March. The Grizzlies have won just one playoff game over the past two seasons, but it will be a major surprise if they don't make a bigger push this time around.
As long as they continue to follow the formula that got them to this point, Hawkins feels like there is no limit to what Copper Hills can accomplish this season.
"One of our team rules is to lose ourselves in our team," Hawkins said. "Basically play for each other and have each others' backs. That's what I feel like is the special thing we have in our team."
John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter @johncoonsports.
