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The best way to avoid the possibilities of an upset is to bury the underdog immediately.

Copper Hills is considered one of the perennial favorites to contend for a state championship although it entered the Class 5A boys' basketball tournament at the University of Utah on Monday as the No. 2 seed from Region 3.

Those expectations were validated against Weber, the third-seed from Region 1, in a 62-41 mauling of the Warriors.

"Our philosophy is to come out and punch them in the mouth," Grizzlies guard Stockton Shorts said. "Get an early lead because we know we're good enough down the stretch that we can make free throws and make the right plays and come out on top, so that's what we did."

Copper Hills (20-4) ballooned its lead to as much as 24 midway through the third quarter behind Shorts, who scored a game-high 17 points while pulling down seven rebounds. Despite being a proven commodity his entire high school career, Shorts is the marquee name in this year's tournament — a stage where he can solidify his status as a next-level player.

"I thought he'd be good this year, but I didn't think he'd be this good," Copper Hills coach Andrew Blanchard said about Shorts. "He's really surpassed any expectations we've had."

Shorts, however, received his fair share of help from his teammates. The Grizzlies were extremely efficient offensively, committing only four turnovers compared to 11 assists. Trevon Allfrey scored 12 points and Sam Lyon added 11 points in the win.

"My teammates are good enough that when they're open, they're going to make shots," Shorts said. "We rely on each other. If one of us isn't playing good, we always know someone is going to get our back."

Connor Shaw was the lone player to reach double figures for the Warriors (11-11), finishing with 11 points. Weber tried to throw out a different defense, operating from a triangle-and-2, but Copper Hills solved it.

"You always get a little nervous at the beginning when teams come out with kind of a gimmick defense," Blanchard said. "We've seen that in region, and we were prepared for it. We were ready."

The Grizzlies will square off against Layton at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Weber State University. Region 3 finished a perfect 4-0 in the opening round, eliminating all of Region 1 in the process."

Twitter: @trevorphibbs —

Copper Hills 62, Weber 41

• Copper Hills leads by as many as 24 points in a runaway win.

• Stockton Shorts finishes with 17 points for the Grizzlies.

• Copper Hills commits only four turnovers.