by James Tate

Head Coach: Matt Alverson

2025-2026 record: Overall (11-13) Region (6-6)

After a competitive 2025-26 season that saw the Longhorns finish 11-13 overall and 6-6 in Region 5 play, West Field enters the upcoming girls basketball season with optimism, experience, and a new voice leading the program.

First-year head coach Matt Alverson takes over a Longhorn team that has already shown it can compete in one of Utah’s toughest classifications. Now, Coach Alverson is focused on building on that foundation while establishing a culture defined by toughness, accountability, and relentless effort.

With a mix of returning varsity experience and emerging young talent, the Longhorns believe they have the pieces to continue moving forward in Region 5.

“We want to build a program where toughness is expected, accountability is embraced, and every player believes she belongs on the court with the best teams in the state,” Coach Alverson said.

For Coach Alverson, basketball has been a lifelong passion. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in the sport, coaching was a natural path.

“I grew up in a basketball family,” Coach Alverson said. “All of my brothers played basketball, and my dad is a Hall of Fame coach who won two state championships at Bonneville High School and another at Tooele High School. Basketball and coaching have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.”

Coach Alverson brings experience from stops at Sand Ridge and South junior highs as a head coach, while also serving as an assistant coach at Roy, Bonneville, and most recently Clearfield High School alongside Coach JT Soter. He felt personally and professionally connected to the opportunity to lead the Longhorns.

“My kids attend West Field, and I have a strong connection to this community,” Coach Alverson said. “Having coached against West Field while at Clearfield, I saw firsthand the potential this program has. I felt there was a great opportunity to build something special here, and I wanted to be part of it.”

Tee Munoz

A new vision for the Longhorns

While the Longhorns return key experience from last season, Coach Alverson already has a clear vision for what West Field basketball will look like on the court.

“A Matt Alverson-coached team is going to be physical, gritty, and relentless in its effort,” Coach Alverson said. “We want to establish an identity built around toughness, energy, and disciplined defense.”

The Longhorns will focus on making every possession difficult for opponents through intense defense while emphasizing pace and unselfish basketball on offense.

“We want opponents to know that every possession against us is going to be a battle,” Coach Alverson said. “Offensively, we want to push the tempo, create good spacing, execute our sets, and play unselfish basketball. We will emphasize making the right play, trusting teammates, and understanding that team success always comes before individual recognition.”

More than anything, Alverson’s priority is building belief in the program that the Longhorns can compete with anyone they face.

“One of our biggest goals this first season is to establish the mental toughness and confidence necessary to walk onto the court against any opponent and believe we can win,” Coach Alverson said.

That confidence is part of a broader effort to establish a culture that extends beyond game nights.

“Our goal goes beyond wins and losses,” Coach Alverson said. “We want to build a program that our players, families, school, and community are proud to represent. That means competing with class, holding ourselves to high standards, and developing young women who understand the importance of commitment, discipline, and teamwork.”

Alverson also stressed the importance of balancing accountability with genuine care for his players.

“I believe strongly that great coaching requires a balance of accountability and genuine care,” Coach Alverson said. “Our coaching staff will have high expectations, and we will challenge our players every day. But those expectations will always come from a place of love and a desire to help each girl reach her potential, both on and off the court.”

Jordyn Mendoza

Returning experience leads the way

West Field will rely on a mixture of veteran leadership and emerging talent as it heads into the new season.

Senior Meghan Peterson brings valuable varsity experience and is expected to be an important leader for the Longhorns. Peterson’s breakout performance came in the Longhorns’ final game last year in a playoff loss to Bonneville, scoring a career-high 30 points.

Juniors Tahlia Munoz and Jordyn Mendoza provide shooting that can stretch defenses and create perimeter opportunities. Munoz scored in double figures in five games last year and is one of the region’s most talented scorers. Mendoza is an exceptional ball handler and ready to lead at point guard.

Sophomore Taylor Barnes brings an aggressive attacking style at guard and can get to the rim and finish. Sophomore Kenzie Bagby embodies the identity Alverson hopes to establish throughout the program: a strong understanding of the game and tough defensively. Bagby is the top returning scorer (9.1 ppg) and led the team in steals (2.0) last year.

Senior Kail Ercanbrack and junior Kayohna Holmes add experience and physicality in the paint. Both players are expected to play important roles inside as West Field looks to establish a tougher presence around the basket on both ends of the floor.

The Longhorns also feature experienced backcourt contributors Meleah Conger and Karlyn Whetton, who join Mendoza, Munoz, Barnes, and Bagby in giving West Field valuable perimeter depth. Sophomore Kendyll Kapp is another player expected to contribute as the Longhorns continue developing a deep rotation capable of competing throughout the Region 5 schedule.

“Kenzie sets the tone defensively,” Coach Alverson said. “She brings toughness, intensity, and the kind of effort we want our program to be known for.”

Sophomore Brinley Bigelow will also play an important role thanks to her communication skills and ability to direct teammates on the floor.

The Longhorns’ roster also includes several players who saw limited varsity action a season ago but have continued developing throughout the offseason.

“We have a young core group of players with a lot of potential,” Coach Alverson said. “The girls are continuing to learn their roles and understand how they can best contribute to the team’s success.”

He believes some of those emerging players could make significant impacts this winter.

“I believe some of those girls will surprise people this year,” Coach Alverson said.

While West Field has realistic expectations entering the season, Coach Alverson is excited about the program’s direction and the opportunities ahead.

“We’re realistic about where we are as a program,” Coach Alverson said. “We’re young, we have a lot to learn, and there will certainly be growing pains. But I’m excited about the direction we’re headed.”

For Coach Alverson, success will be measured by more than victories alone.

“It will be measured by the habits we establish, the toughness we develop, and the progress we make as a team,” Coach Alverson said. “If we can create a foundation of discipline, accountability, unselfishness, and confidence, the wins will eventually take care of themselves.”

That mindset will be central to the Longhorns’ identity throughout the season.

“I want our girls to understand that we don’t have to be the most talented team on the floor to compete with anybody,” Coach Alverson said. “But we do have to be willing to outwork, outprepare, and outcompete our opponents.”

By season’s end, Alverson hopes the Longhorns have established a clear reputation throughout Utah girls basketball.

“My hope is that by the end of the season, people will see a West Field team that plays hard, plays together, and never backs down from a challenge,” Coach Alverson said. “We’re building something special here, and I believe West Field Girls Basketball has a very bright future.”

As West Field enters a new era under Coach Alverson, the Longhorns have reason to believe they can take another step forward in Region 5. With experienced leaders, promising young talent, and a coach determined to build a culture centered on toughness and accountability, West Field hopes to turn potential into results. The challenges of a competitive region remain, but the Longhorns enter the winter confident their best basketball is still ahead.

photos courtesy of James Tate