Copper Hills shuts down Kearns

WEST JORDAN — In one of the most important games of the season for both teams, the Copper Hills Grizzlies held the Kearns Cougars to only three first-half points en route to a 43-22 win Thursday night.

The two teams were tied with the West Jordan Jaguars for third-place in Region 3 heading into the game. With the Copper Hills win and West Jordan's victory over Hunter, the Jaguars and the Grizzlies are tied for the last state tournament slot from the region with a match-up looming next Tuesday at West Jordan.

The Grizzlies finished sixth in Region 3 last season without a league win, so this regular season turnaround leaves them in a happy and unique position.

"This game was huge," Copper Hills first-year head coach Angie Fugate said. "We are taking it one game at a time, but state is a goal in the back of everyone's mind. If we didn't have this win, it would be a lot harder to get there."

Running a box-and-one defense focused on Kearns leading scorer Brooke Larsen, the Grizzlies stifled the Cougars offensively. Sophomore Kaylee Snyder was tasked with defending Larsen for Copper Hills, and she did so admirably, frustrating the Kearns junior and holding her to only two total points in the game — down from her 15 points per game average.

"I just put her in and said, 'Don't let her touch the ball," Fugate said. "She's a hustler."

Both teams came out ice cold in the first quarter, each scoring only one field goal and one free throw. Things didn't get better for Kearns in the second period as the Cougars couldn't buy a bucket, going scoreless in the frame.

The Grizzlies, however, got four points a piece from Marcilina Grayer and Shawna Michaelis on top of a free throw from Jasmin Roe to take a 12-3 lead into halftime.

The Cougars came out strong with five straight points in the third, and at one point cut the Copper Hills lead to four. But the Grizzlies responded right back behind Grayer's eight points in the quarter to take a 14-point lead at the end of three.

"My role is to contain and be a leader," Grayer said. "I just took the shot if they gave it to me."

In a tension and foul-filled fourth quarter, Copper Hills only expanded the lead, easily grabbing the double-digit win.

Marcilina Grayer led Copper Hills with 17 points and seven steals, while guard Shawna Michaelis added 13 rebounds and five steals.