Sports can be a great metaphor for life. Or business.

Like businessmen, athletes are faced with numerous challenges during their careers. And just like the corporate world, numbers usually dictate if you are successful or not.

Fair or not, it's the way it is. Copper Hills senior Preston Stelter is learning that firsthand this week.

Not many observers gave the Grizzlies a fighting chance Monday at the E Center against Region 1 champ Davis in the first round of the 5A boys' basketball tournament. But Stelter and Co. believed they could win. Not out of cockiness, but because they're a good team that played in a brutal region and were overlooked due to its overall record.

And for 32 minutes, Stelter and Co. were right. Copper Hills took a four-point lead into the fourth quarter, looking ripe for an upset. Like life, and business, the fourth quarter was unpredictable.

Whether it was making mental errors, or just not having much needed breaks go their way, Copper Hills faltered even though they were just as hard as the next guy. What will stick in the minds of returning players, and coach Kent Smith , is their free-throw shooting.

Stelter says it's been an issue all season. And for whatever reason, the Grizzlies could never shake their woes from the charity stripe. Often times, the little things will dictate how far you can go on your respective journey. In Copper Hills' case, a 9-for-17 performance at the line proved too costly. Even though Davis was the exact opposite in that area, the Grizzlies still had a chance in the fourth.

With just seconds remaining, Stelter's three-point attempt from the corner hit the front of the rim as Davis grabbed the rebound and celebrated its survival of such a close affair. But like with anything else, Stelter says you can't dwell on the misses, rather, take advantage of your experiences

"I think our season was successful," the guard said. "As a team, we were able to get [Copper Hills] back to the playoffs for the first time in seven years. We've got a lot of juniors which gained a lot of valuable experience this season. As one of the captains, I can walk away knowing I helped the team not only this year, but for next year too."

West Jordan

After slaying its long time nemesis, Bingham, in Region 3, the Jaguars needed to keep their momentum going at the state tournament. And they did. With a No. 1 seed, they didn't slack off one bit against first round opponent Viewmont on Monday. They wanted to make a statement that they're talented enough to win it all like so many predicted they would in the preseason.

The Jaguars trio of Mason Sawyer , Reyes Gallegos and Jordan Weirick is a special one. This is their last hurrah together before they make their way to the collegiate ranks next year. Against the Vikings, they played as if it were their last time together.

A stingy defensive effort fueled West Jordan's early 19-point lead. Everyone knows they can score, but coach Scott Briggs will assure you defense is the key to bringing home a state championship.

Overall, West Jordan held the Vikings to just 36-percent shooting from the floor.

Briggs' faith in his players can't be measured. He let them go man-to-man against an offensive team that can go off at anytime. Gallegos rose to the challenge, shutting down Viewmont's leading scorer, Chase Christensen , who finished with just two points.

Hunter

Back to the drawing board.

The Wolverines lost four of their last five games of the season to miss the state tournament for the fourth time in five years. It's been rough times for Hunter since its glory days of 2004. Next year won't get much easier with the departure of prolific scorer Jeff Poole , big-man A.J. Pataialii , and guard Fernando Perez . The good news, however, is coach Dave Filimoehala will be back to right the ship.