by James Tate

Head Coach: Jarrod Hoagland

2025-2026 Record: Overall (13-11) Region (2-6)

A new era has arrived for Weber girls’ basketball. After four seasons at Layton Christian Academy, first-year head coach Jarrod Hoagland takes over a Weber program eager to climb the Region 1 standings. While the Warriors have shown the ability to score in recent years, Coach Hoagland has prioritized establishing a defensive identity and building a culture centered on accountability, confidence, and teamwork.

“I feel extremely excited and truly blessed about this opportunity to coach at Weber,” Coach Hoagland said.

As Coach Hoagland studied the program’s recent history, one statistic stood out.

“I noticed they had been in the bottom percentage of points given up in Region 1 and all of 6A, which I knew had to be the first change,” Coach Hoagland said. “I saw that past teams could certainly score the ball, but I know to win games you have to find more stops on the defensive end.”

A veteran roster has made the transition easier and is willing to embrace a new philosophy.

“The girls are buying into a different philosophy and I couldn’t be happier,” Coach Hoagland said.

Bradey Schiffman

Veteran leadership fuels the Warriors

Weber returns a strong core of experienced players who will help establish Coach Hoagland’s vision on the floor.

Leading the group is senior forward Bradey Schiffman, a Standard-Examiner All-Area Second Team selection and one of Region 1’s top returning players. Schiffman averaged 8.7 points and a team-best 8.7 rebounds per game last season while anchoring Weber’s defense. An elite defender entering her third year as a starter, Schiffman has averaged more than eight rebounds per game in each of the past two seasons.

Senior guard Jade Kulpa, a Standard-Examiner All-Area Third Team selection, provides toughness and relentless energy in the backcourt. Known for her attacking style, Kulpa consistently pressures opposing defenses and led the Warriors in made free throws last season with 81.

Senior Avery Shupe returns as one of Weber’s most versatile players after leading the team in both assists (2.6 per game) and steals (2.2 per game) in 2025-26. Her ability to create offense while disrupting opponents defensively makes her a key piece of the Warriors’ success.

Junior guard Summer Hallows emerged as a dependable contributor as last season progressed and could be poised for a breakout year. Hallows showcased her all-around game in a victory over Skyridge, finishing with six points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

The Warriors will also lean on seniors Payton Rich, Maddie McKay, and junior Payton Huff, who all gained valuable experience and contributed meaningful minutes last season.

With experienced leaders throughout the lineup, Weber possesses the talent and maturity needed to accelerate the program’s transition under its new coaching staff.

Avery Shupe

Building a new culture at Weber

While defense will be the foundation of Coach Hoagland’s teams, his long-term goals extend beyond the scoreboard.

The former college baseball player never envisioned himself coaching girls basketball. In fact, he initially turned down an opportunity to join the girls program at Layton Christian before eventually accepting. Five years later, he calls coaching girls basketball one of the greatest blessings of his life.

That experience has helped shape the culture he hopes to establish at Weber.

Coach Hoagland believes many young athletes face unrealistic expectations fueled by social media and perfectionism. Instead, he wants his players to embrace growth, learn from mistakes and develop confidence on and off the court.

“I want these girls to feel comfortable in their own skin on and off the court,” Coach Hoagland said. “We want them to know it is okay to screw up, make mistakes and then move on.”

The Warriors spend significant time focused on skill development, teamwork and communication, but Coach Hoagland also wants his players to enjoy the experience.

“While basketball is important, it’s just a short time that they get to experience it,” Coach Hoagland said. “We want our teams to learn how to be strong, confident, independent young women so when they leave our program they can make a great impact on people and in their lives.”

As the Warriors prepare for the 2026-27 season, Coach Hoagland believes fans will notice a different energy surrounding the program.

“We will take the court as a tough, fast, confident, hard-working group that plays together as a team,” Coach Hoagland said.

The first-year coach hopes that enthusiasm spreads throughout the school and community.

“The culture of our team will be something new, something exciting and hopefully something very contagious,” Coach Hoagland said. “Come on out to our home games so you can be a part of a new atmosphere, a new culture and a new brand of basketball at Weber High.”

With a veteran nucleus, a renewed defensive focus and a coach committed to developing both players and people, Weber enters the 2026-27 season looking to establish a new identity and make noise in Region 1.

photos courtesy of James Tate