Utah Pump N Run Basketball

In 2008-09, the Copper Hills boys' basketball team made the strides that an up-and-coming program needs to make, going from a 7-14 team in 2007, to an 11-11 team that made the playoffs. The Grizzlies lost to a traditionally strong Davis team in the first round by three points.

Copper Hills coach Kent Smith believes that the next step for the Grizzlies will be the one the gets them to the next tier that Bingham, Lone Peak and West Jordan occupy atop the Class 5A world.

With a senior center and point guard to rely on, Smith is hoping to make a run in the always stacked Region 3 in Class 5A. After a successful summer of tournaments, Copper Hills feels like they have the players and more importantly the confidence to go nose to nose with the best the state has to offer.

Both Bingham coach Mark Dubach and West Jordan coach Scotty Briggs are pointing towards Copper Hills as being the breakout team this year. Briggs should know. Not only does his school neighbor Copper Hills but he's coached a pair of teams to state championships, including the 2009 title.

"I like the team that Coach Smith has built out there, they are going to be up there when it's all said and done with the players they have," Briggs said.

In an area rich with talented basketball players and teams, Copper Hills is starting to make a name for itself.

"They have one of the best centers in the state, and that team was darn good last season, so we're keeping an eye on them," Dubach said.

The Grizzlies will need their star center Steve Larson to pick up where he left off last year. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 240 pounds, Larson is one of the strongest low post players in the state. He led the Grizzlies last year in scoring, averaging around 12 points per game, while providing an intimidating shot blocking presence on the defensive end of the court.

"I believe Steven can be one of the top centers in the state alongside Ben Clifford and [Neal Monson] from Waterford," said Smith. "He has worked extremely hard on his game this summer, and we think this will be his breakout year."

According to Smith, Larson has developed his left hand to the point that he can go with either hand in the post, something most high school kids have a problem mastering. On top of that he has added some quickness in his footwork that should help him on both ends of the floor.

As with all big men, they need a point guard to get them the ball in the right place on the court to do their damage. Enter Tyler Faalogo, a 6-foot dynamo with a lightning quick first step. Faalogo played and excelled on the prestigious Utah Pump and Run AAU team during the summer, a squad that features the best high school players in the state of Utah, including Provo's Kyle Collinsworth, Bingham's Shad Sommerville and Ben Clifford and Waterford's Monson, among others.

"For us to go where we want to go, we need Larson and Faalogo to be our leaders both on and off the court." Said Smith, "With what I've seen this offseason, I think we're ready to make the next level progression with them."

Smith's biggest concern with this year's team will be on the defensive side of things. He is stressing to his club that the key to a playoff run will come more so from timely stops than it will from scoring.

If the Grizzlies can handle the spotlight and the pressure, something they have not had in heavy doses in years past, then they have a chance to be very good. To start the season they have scheduled some tougher non-region opponents than in years past to in Smith's words "Toughen them up", including games against Brighton, Skyline and Alta.

But their biggest challenge will come from within Region 3 from both Bingham, and West Jordan. They will need to finish in the top three to clinch a playoff berth, and with Riverton in the mix, it will not be easy.

"I like our players and I like what I've seen so far," said Smith. "If we can get the defensive side of things to a point where we can make stops when we need to, then I think we're looking at a team that could be making a lot of noise come playoff time."