This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Defense often sets apart a great team from just a good one.

That's something Copper Hills has discovered during a long season that will culminate with a trip to the Class 5A state championship Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Huntsman Center.

The Grizzlies used that defense to hold Westlake to 30.6 percent from the field and earn an impressive 58-40 victory in Friday's semifinal game.

Stockton Shorts, who got Copper Hills off to a quick start, credited his coach Andrew Blanchard for turning the Grizzlies from a team struggling on defense to one that is emphasizing it.

"Blanchard has done a huge job on focussing on defense, defense, defense," said Shorts, who scored nine of his 14 points in the first half and finished the game with nine rebounds. "We try to get as many stops as we can, because he knows our offense will come."

Blanchard said his 22-3 team, which is trying to win the school's first boys basketball state title since 2000, hit a lull in the middle of its Region 3 season when it didn't defend well.

"We are in a tough region with good coaches who prepare teams well," he said. "We weren't doing the little things that made us successful early in the season. This is what good teams do."

Good teams also start fast, which is what Copper Hills did.

With Shorts scoring five quick points and Preston Sanchez adding three, the Grizzlies led 8-2.

"I try to come out and do the best I can every day, and today my shots were going down, my free throws were going down and I felt good," said Shorts. "It feels amazing. This is the best feeling I have ever had in my life."

At that point, Westlake put together it's only serious run, scoring eight straight points to take a 10-8 lead, its only lead of the day.

Copper Hills responded by outscoring Westlake 20-5 right before half to take a 28-17 lead at the half.

The Thunder cut that to four points early in the second half, but a 10-0 run by Copper Hills gave the Grizzlies a 38-26 at the end of three quarters.

Westlake, which was led by Asa McCord with 19 points, would get only as close as nine the rest of the way.

Copper Hills had plenty of contributors to its success. Charlie Olsen hit nine of 10 free throws to finish with 16 points. Sanchez had 13 points. And Porter Hawkins was a huge presence inside.

"I am so proud of these guys," said Blanchard. "We've got guys who have been in the program for four years and put in time as freshmen and sophomores. They deserve everything they get."

Twitter @tribtomwharton —

Storylines

R Copper Hills earns the right to play for its first state boys basketball title since 2000.

• Charlie Olsen scores 16, Stockton Shorts adds 14 points and nine rebounds and Preston Sanchez scores 13 for the Grizzlies.

• Asa McCord has 19 points and nine rebounds for Westlake.