The Loudonville girls’ basketball team was first in the Mid-Buckeye Conference and went 17-7 overall last year, and Coach Tyler Bates thinks this team will only be better now that they have the necessary experience led by their star senior guard Corri Vermilya.
“The girls have worked very hard since the end of last season,” Bates said. “I definitely think that we have an invested group. I am especially proud of our seniors and upperclassmen leaders – as they have set the tone for us early on. I am hopeful that we have a team full of players who accept their roles and do whatever is necessary for us to be successful. Until you face some adversity, it’s tough to tell – but I like what I have seen throughout the summer and in the pre-season.”
The Redbirds return nine letter winners from last year’s team, including Vermilya who is coming off a monster season. The 5’9” guard is an Ashland University commit who put up ridiculous numbers averaging 28.1 ppg, 12.8 boards, 2.3 assists, 6.0 steals and 1.8 blocks.
Vermilya had a laundry list of accolades last year including: MaxPreps Girls Basketball Small School All-American, OPSWA Division III State Player of the Year, Prep Hoops, Ohio Division III State Player of the Year, Miss Ohio Basketball – 3rd Place Finish, Mid-Buckeye Conference Player of the Year, Northeast Inland District Player of the Year and District 4 Coaches Player of the Year.
Also returning is senior guard Sophia Spangler, who is a Tiffin University commit coming off a year where she put up 9.0 ppg, 3.2 boards, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals. She was first team all-conference and an honorable mention for the District 4 Coaches team.
Another senior guard, Jena Guilliams, averaged 6.4 points and hit 45 threes. She was also all-conference and honorable mention for the District 4 Coaches team.
Bates is in his 11th year coaching and has tallied a 176-66 record. He said he has been inspired by all of his coaches and teammates throughout his career to shape his coaching philosophy, but also gave major credit to his parents. His father, Jim, is the boys’ basketball coach at Loudonville and has coached at every level of basketball. He has a glass half-full approach and sees potential in his players. His mother, Linda has seen thousands of games in the Loudonville gym and been a great source of advice, as well.
Most of the success of his squad has come over the past seven years, as Loudonville has had MBC titles each year and a 134-27 recored. They have won 30 straight Mid Buckeye Conference games and 50 of their last 51 league games.
“Regardless of what approach we take for a game or a season offensively or defensively, we need to play hard,” Bates said.
Loudonville kicked off the season against Lexington and walked away with a 71-32 win. Next up is a home matchup with defending KMAC champion Mount Gilead on Dec. 2 at 2:30 p.m.
