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Copper Hills • Fremont coach Lisa Dalebout did her homework. "Spin!" Dalebout yelled out as Copper Hills' Shirsten Wissinger performed her signature move, prompting a reactive defender into creating a turnover.
The scouting report, however, can only go so far. Early in the second period, Wissinger, one of the top offensive threats in Utah, escaped pressure with the assistance of a baseline screen.
Dalebout simultaneously shook her head and paced toward her chair before Wissinger released her shot. The crease was enough, and Dalebout knew it. Chalk up the three points.
Wissinger, who finished with a game-high 24 points, proved the difficulty in stopping elite player, no matter the game plan, as the Class 5A's top-ranked Grizzlies kept their undefeated record intact with a 51-43 decision on their home floor.
Copper Hills (9-0) entered the game against the 'Wolves with an average margin of victory exceeding 20 points per game. Tuesday's contest was only the second game with the outcome still in question in the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies enjoyed several double-digit cushions throughout the game, but allowed Fremont to pull within three points with 1 minute remaining after missing 17 free throws.
"More than a struggle. Struggle is an understatement. [Missing 17 attempts] is a little atypical for this team. We usually do a pretty good job at the free throw line," said Copper Hills coach Ben Morley. "We definitely kept it closer than it should have been, but at the same time it was good for our girls to be in that situation where they find a way to win in other ways."
Wissinger's torrid pace in the second quarter, in which she outscored Fremont, 10-8, by herself, collapsed the 'Wolves (4-3) aggressive man-to-man defense as she penetrated, allowing her to kick to open teammates hibernating on the perimeter. That subsequently correlated to either an uncontested 3-pointer or a newfound lane to the hoop after hesitation moves placed recovering defenders out of position.
That exact scenario closed the second quarter, when Wissinger dished to Kaitlyn Sisler, who tallied 7 points, in the corner for an open 3-pointer at the buzzer, capping a 14-3 run to have a 28-16 lead at the break.
"I kind of space everybody out," Wissinger said of Fremont's knowledge of her game. "Every team does their homework, it's just if we play good or not."
Fremont guard Harley Hansen, whom Morley referred to as "one of the most talented players in the state," led the 'Wolves with 19 points, including converting a step back triple to slice the deficit to 46-43 with 1 minute left. Kaycee Andersen finished with 8 points, while Berklee Lerohl and Rylee Torman each added 6 points apiece.
Morely credited Mikelle Magalogo, the other Grizzly to reach the double-figure scoring plateau with 10 points — 6 of which occurring in the first quarter — with a defensive intensity that made Hansen work for her points.
"She did a great job on her, especially late in the game," Morley said.
Copper Hills has one more preseason game against Northridge following the Christmas break before entering Region 3 action featuring defending champion Brighton, traditional powerhouse Bingham and an improving Taylorsville program. The bullseye will focus on the No. 1-ranked Grizzlies.
"I like the recognition because we've worked hard to build this program over the last few years, but the rankings are meaningless when it comes to our goals, which is to win a region championship," Morley explained. "I don't think our girls feel pressure. I think they just love to play basketball."
Twitter: @trevorphibbs —
Storylines
R Top-ranked Copper Hills keeps undefeated record intact despite missing 17 free throws against Fremont.
• Shirsten Wissinger records a game-high 24 points for the Grizzlies, while Mikelle Magalogo adds 10 points.
• Harley Hansen leads Fremont with 19 points in the loss.