The Hive Sports

by James Tate

The first game of the West Field girls’ basketball program came against a nearby school and soon-to-be-in-region opponent, Roy Royals, on November 26, 2024. The Longhorns would fall short, losing the game 41-35, but it was a victory for a team that made it with many firsts along the way—a new school, coaches, teammates, and establishing a culture and standards. Five seniors, Bria Belnap, Canyon Britt, Jalyn Coombs, Ella Doxey, and Isabelle Tracy, took on being leaders and teammates and bringing the Longhorns girls’ basketball program to life.

The Longhorn’s culture is expressed in its core values: Honor, Excellence, Respect, and Determination (HERD). The senior players have each carved their path by attending West Field and being part of the first girls’ basketball team in school history. Even though it will be only for one season, the positive impact these girls have had on the team, school, and community will be felt for many years.

“The seniors have been instrumental in building our philosophy all year,” Head coach Rick Stoeckl said. “Be on time, work hard, be great teammates, team defense and unselfish offense. This is also a work in progress and something that we work on every day.”

In the classroom, on and off the court, these players have led by example and continue to strive for excellence in all they do.

“It has to be said that our seniors are all tops in the classroom and have high GPAs,” coach Stoeckl said. “We have one of the top teams with high GPAs in the state, top to bottom, and it starts with the seniors. And I’m very proud of that.”

Bria Belnap

Belnap has brought her talent and skills to West Field after playing at Roy for the last two years. A sharpshooter from the outside, Belnap provides a spark for the team when she is on the court. She is the ultimate teammate and is key to the team’s chemistry and cohesiveness.

The Longhorns’ first game of the season was against the Royals, Belnap’s previous team. Although the game did not end in victory for the Longhorns, Belnap knocked down a three-point basket and contributed to the team’s official start to the program.

“I was nervous, and these were my old teammates and my family before I had this one at West Field,” Belnap said. “It was my first game at West Field, but having it against them made me even more anxious. The outcome wasn’t how I would’ve wanted it to be, and we definitely had lots of room to grow after that game, but we’re only getting better from here.”

During the season, a member of the Longhorn family has had to deal with a medical situation, and the team has rallied around them and supported each other on and off the court.

“Our coach Kelsey is having a tough time right now; her brand-new little baby is having some problems, and it’s been really hard for her,” Belnap said. “I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, so I pray often, and it’s a regular thing for me, but I think one of the most memorable moments for me was before practice started, we all got in a circle like we do every time before games, and we prayed for our coach Kelsey and her family. We had a really big moment together as we all came together as one and prayed for our coach. I think this helped us bond while we all hoped and prayed for one thing together as a team.”

Being a Longhorn for her one season is a culmination of Belnap’s journey that will positively influence the team for years. Her dedication to working hard and being a leader has the coaches praising her each game. Belnap shares what she hopes her teammates who return next season have learned from her.

“Show the coach that you want to be there, have good body language, and hype your team up,” Belnap said. “Off the court, you need to care about your team as much as you do on the court, if not more. Be there for them even if it has nothing to do with basketball or the game; you are a family. Don’t just be there if someone asks for your help; actively ask and make sure your teammates are good. Go out of your way to help and care for them. Small and simple things make a huge difference.”

In addition to her faith, Belnap’s family supports her and has helped her become a strong competitor with a bright future.

 “I want to thank my dad and older brothers the most,” Belnap said. “If you knew my brothers (Beau and Bronson), you would know they are dogs; they worked the hardest you could. I grew up watching their AAU games and tournaments with my dad as their coach. All three of them are role models to me. I want to thank my dad for the time he is willing to spend with me to help me be better and help me be “not mediocre,” as he says. He wants the best for me, and I know how he acts and helps me. Thank you, Dad, you are the best.”

Canyon Britt

Britt has battled back from an injury that derailed her junior year at Fremont High School. She leads the Longhorns in many statistical categories, scoring 13.9 points per game, 31 three-pointers, and 67 free throws. An all-around excellent player, Britt’s laser focus on the court and relentless will to win rub off on teammates and the younger players.

“My other strengths on the court are knowing when to attack the rim and when not to,” Britt said. “I also take pride in doing the intangibles and being a great teammate and leader. I want them to learn that we will all have to go through adversity at some point in our lives, and it won’t be easy, but if you work hard, the reward will come.”

An athletic guard with a remarkable ability to score from anywhere on the court, Britt has established herself as a leader and player ready to take her talents to the next level. One of the state’s most impactful players, Britt elevated her game through perseverance, believing in herself, and being relentless in off-season workouts.

At Fremont, Britt faced challenges with injuries and growing on a team with many talented players. She built herself into a strong-willed competitor and learned the game from past coaches.

“Coach Dalebout and all the Fremont coaches helped me with the fundamentals and taught me how to play the game right,” Britt said. “They taught me how to work hard and overcome adversity. Coach Dalebout taught me many life lessons, and I appreciate the time I spent being a part of Fremont girls’ basketball. Summitt basketball taught me to love the game, and some of my best times playing basketball were with my Summitt coaches and teammates; I love them all. I also want to thank my Crown Basketball family. I got to meet some amazing teammates and coaches. My trainers, Elite Skills Academy and ICE basketball, have greatly helped me with my skills and confidence.” 

Britt’s family is at each game, cheering her and the Longhorns on through wins and losses.  Her younger brother Lincoln is an emerging star point guard at Roy High School, and her entire family is part of Britt’s journey playing basketball.

“I want to thank my mom and dad,” Britt said. “I wouldn’t be the basketball player I am today without them. They are my biggest supporters and are at every game, no matter what. They don’t care if I win or lose. They just want to see me happy and play the sport I love. I look up to my two brothers. They have shown me how to work hard and never give up; they are at every game they can be at and are so supportive. My grandparents won’t miss a game if it’s mine or my younger brothers. They always find a way to make it work. My Uncle Ty and cousin Ridge are other big supporters and try to be at every game, too. My uncle gives me good pointers and helps me with things that will make me better.  Everyone by now should know Ridge. He’s the loudest one in the stands and makes highlight reels of me. Follow him on Instagram @ridgebritt11. He is an amazing editor, lol. He is my biggest fan, and I love them all. I am grateful for everyone else who supports me and helps me get to this point in my life.”

Jalyn Coombs

Coombs moved to West Field from Fremont High School, where she saw significant playing time as a junior. Coombs is a veteran who has played on the varsity level and provides stability, leadership, and experience on the court. Coombs is an excellent shooter with great range and understands how to get to her spots on the court to knock down three-pointers. Having to wait until the region games started to play because of the new high school transfer policy, Coombs is finding her touch and giving the Longhorns another top-scoring option.

“The most memorable moment so far was being able to play varsity again after sitting out for transfer rules,” Coombs said. “My game is a three-point shooter and a threat from the arc.”

Coombs’ offensive skills have her averaging 12.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Coombs is an unselfish player who brings toughness, an aggressive defensive presence, and her offensive prowess to the Longhorns.

Even after sitting out the first part of the season, Coombs was elected captain by her team, showing the respect and trust she earned from teammates and coaches.

“I felt very important and honored to be a captain for West Fields’ first team,” Coombs said. “It’s important to help my team succeed and leave a legacy for West Field girls’ basketball.

Coombs credits her success on the court to a strong family and team support.

“Playing basketball since I was a little kid has helped my journey with comp coaches, my parents, playing with my sister (Aly), and the coaching staff at West Field,” Coombs said.

Ella Doxey

Doxey brings leadership, experience, and athleticism to the Longhorns team this season. Coming over from Fremont High School, Doxey is a multi-sport athlete with a high basketball IQ.

Doxey is a fierce competitor, and with her energy and intensity, the Longhorns’ first season has been successful. On the court, Doxey is quick and athletic, and she understands the game and finds open spaces and teammates. Doxey is a team captain and has earned her teammates’ and coaches’ trust and respect by establishing the team’s hardworking and never-quit attitude from the beginning. Coach Stoeckl shares how the girls have handled the pressure of becoming a team in a short timeframe.

“To tell you the truth, it was a lot,” coach Stoeckl said. “There was a lot of pressure felt, not so much before the season started but evident after the season started. It has been a challenge to bring the team together and build the chemistry required to play well together. We’re still working on that. I’m proud of the efforts of all the seniors, but it is a work in progress.”

On the court, Doxey exemplifies what it means to be a Longhorn with her all-out effort and willingness to do everything she can to help the team win. Before the team played its first game, Doxey was elected team captain and took that responsibility seriously on and off the court.

“I am a shooting guard and sometimes play small forward,” Doxey said. “I am best at rebounding, getting steals, and hyping my team up to get them excited about the big plays but, most importantly, the small plays that help us win games. I thought that it was going to be extremely special and important. Being a captain of a brand-new team is a big job. Getting the team to become more of a family and connect with each other is a work in progress; we are doing better every day.” 

Isabelle Tracy

Tracy played at Fremont High School as a sophomore and joined the West Field team for her senior season. With her relentless work inside the paint and setting screens, she is a valuable member of the Longhorns team. Tracy understands how and when to set screens and spots on the floor her teammates like to get to and have the best chance to score.

“My role as a senior is to play my best for my team on the court (getting rebounds, good defense, creating opportunities on offense for my teammates, and scoring) and to make memories with them,” Tracy said. “I want to ensure everyone on the team knows they are important. I try to be everyone’s friend, hype everyone up on and off the court, be a leader, and support my team.”

Tracy is making her senior season memorable with her teammates, especially by helping the team bring home the first win in program history against Bonneville. Tracy scored four points and played great defense against the Lakers in a 35-34 Longhorn win.

“My most memorable moment on the court this year was our game against Bonneville or Ogden,” Tracy said. “Bonneville was a crazy game, but we pulled through with the win, and it was so much fun. The atmosphere at the Ogden game was just so fun. The way we played together and had fun on the court was very memorable. Off of the court, I love bus rides home after a win. Jamming to music and screaming at the top of our lungs, dancing in the back of the bus, and making Tik-Toks. Those are good times.”

Outside the high school basketball season, Tracy keeps her skills sharp by playing on a travel team to play in tournaments in and out of the state.

“I played for Complete Shooters with Jason Allen,” Tracy said. “My dad coached that team, and we traveled to Idaho, where we played in many tournaments. Those were fun times. I also played on Summit for one summer and traveled to a few states for tournaments. I’m grateful to my parents; they got me where I am today. They have supported me at every game; it wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

Tracy exemplifies what it means to be a great teammate; she is ready to do what the team needs when called upon.

“I want to share that I am proud of my team,” Tracy said. “No matter our record and the season’s outcome, I believe in us and am proud of us. I love this team, especially our amazing coaching staff. Our coaches have made me love the game again.”

Bright future

After high school, the girls will look to embark on their journey, but they will forever have the bond of being the first seniors on the girls’ basketball team at West Field High School.

After high school, Belnap plans to attend Weber State University, serve an LDS mission, and then return and enroll in the radiology program.

“My plans after high school are to play college basketball while getting my teacher’s degree in education to be a teacher and a coach,” Britt said. “It’s been tough because I like all the schools and coaches that have been recruiting me, so I’m having difficulty deciding where I want to play.”

After high school, Tracy and Coombs will spend three months together on a humanitarian trip to Nicaragua to teach children English.

Doxey has committed to continuing her education and playing softball at Colorado Northwestern Community College.

photos by James Tate