Skip to main content

West Jordan Journal

Grizzlies Shoot For A Blockbuster Season

Dec 12, 2014 09:22AM ● By Greg James
Sophomore Kate Sisler averaged seven points per game as a freshman for Copper Hills. Photos courtesy of dsandersonpics.com

 When the final buzzer sounded to end last season’s final game, the Copper Hills girls basketball team knew it was just the beginning of their preparation for this year. Head coach Ben Morley has a young team with limited varsity experience that is hungry to compete.

“I am very optimistic. I like to see how our team will handle adversity. If we stay together and work hard, we can be a great team,” Morley said.

The Grizzlies have no seniors returning to the team this year. Among the eight juniors and five sophomores, Morley said a leader will need to step forward.

“We are a young team that does not have a lot of varsity experience with our program and what we expect. We are waiting for someone to emerge and take over for us,” Morley said.

 Sophomore Kate Sisler was voted by her teammates, along with juniors Mikelle Magalogo and Baylee Leiter, as team captains. Morley said any of them could step forward to become the leader the team needs.

Shirsten Wissinger returns this season after leading the team in scoring last year. She averaged 12.4 points per game in 2013 and started this season on a roll, averaging 16.5 points in preseason games against Olympus (lost 45-44) and Taylorsville (won 50-35). 

“We challenged Shirsten to attack off screens [move without the ball]. We expect her to have a great season. I would also like to see Mikelle [Magalogo] be more aggressive offensively. We played well toward the end of last year, but this is a new season. We always seem to play well when region comes,” Morley said.

Letier is the Grizzlies second-leading scorer. She averages 10.5 points and 11.5 rebounds a game. Magalogo is averaging 6.5 points and 2.5 rebounds. Junior Ashley Larsen has averaged seven rebounds this season.

“We are a very young team, and I think we are going to surprise a lot of people. We are becoming a family on and off the court. It is great to get feedback from my coaches. I am willing to work on whatever it takes to help our team succeed,” Magalogo said.

The Grizzlies compete in Region 3. Morley said it could be one of the strongest in the state.

“Brighton could win it all. Alta and Bingham could be top five teams. We could be too, but have a lot of work to do. These girls are working so hard in the off season, playing lots of games. The challenge now is to get them to play together in our system. We have the talent, and the chemistry is coming together,” he said.