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West Field's Jordan Harrison completes a drill during practice on Wednesday, Nov. 12. 2025, at the school in Taylor.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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West Field coach Mike Russell directs practice on Wednesday, Nov. 12. 2025, at the school in Taylor.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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TAYLOR — In the span of about a year, West Field’s boys basketball team grew from a gymnasium of dudes who appreciated hoops to a senior-led Longhorns roster framing itself as a true contender in Year 2.

In his return to high school basketball, Mike Russell, the son of Ogden High coaching great Phil Russell, led the Longhorns to an 11-14 finish in the program’s inaugural season. That season saw more than 50 students try out, with just four true practices before their first game.

All but graduate Jaxon Slaugh, West Field returns the bulk of last year’s production — and some new pieces — to its arsenal as the season tips off  Friday against Morgan at home.

“It’s night and day. They understand our principles and they know what’s expected,” Russell said of the roster. “We’ll be way better in that regard.”

Much of West Field’s returning depth rests with four seniors: swingman Jordan Harrison (9.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.4 apg), guard Daxton Laughter (8.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.9 apg), swingman Jaden Fowers (7.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.2 spg), and forward Cason Malan (3.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.3 apg).

Harrison, Laughter, and Fowers appeared in all 25 games for West Field last season, and return the next-best production behind the outgoing Slaugh’s 13.2 points per game during the Longhorns’ first season together.

The game’s changed a bit now, Laughter said, as the program moves forward with expectations and relationships that hardly existed just a year ago.

“It’s a big relief,” Laughter said during practice last week.

He continued:

“We’ve still got to be on top of everybody. Last year, we were lacking leadership. … I think when we get on people more, it’ll bring a lot more relief to us, and the younger guys, I think when they figure it out. We’ll talk to them in the locker room (and) I think it’ll make it a lot easier on everybody.”

The Longhorns return two more forwards — 6-foot-6 sophomore Drew Faddis (6.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.6 apg) and 6-foot-2 junior Jaxon Gerace — with a combined 36 appearances last season.

Ben Lomond junior transfer Korver VanBeekum (10.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.5 apg) gives West Field another proven shooting guard to work with.

But production isn’t the only key to their story, Laughter said. He’s focused on spreading the wealth and firmly believes West Field has the guys to do it.

“This year, it’s like, ‘Oh, I scored six points but I had 10 assists,'” Laughter said. “That’s a big thing for all of us.”

Joining the revamped Region 5, West Field certainly cuts its commute with both its nonregion and region schedules.

Following Friday’s opener, the Longhorns have a handful of nonregion tests leading up to Christmas: at Ridgeline (Nov. 25), Farmington at home (Dec. 5), at Woods Cross (Dec. 9), at Syracuse (Dec. 12), Judge Memorial at home (Dec. 16), and Bountiful at home (Dec. 19).

West Field opens region play at Box Elder on Tuesday, Dec. 30.

Connect with reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.