The Loudonville girls’ basketball team started off the year 2-0, with the win over Mount Gilead a big one as the Indians were last year’s KMAC champions.
“It has been nice to see our balance offensively through the first two games,” said Coach Tyler Bates. “We knew that Mount Gilead would make it tough for us defensively and while we didn’t shoot it the best, we still found a way to score some points. The girls have been practicing hard, conditioning hard, lifting hard and locking in to their scouting reports - our preparation has been good through the first few weeks of the season.”
Loudonville started the season on Nov. 28 with a 71-32 win over the Lexington Minutemen (0-2, 0-0). The Redbirds jumped out quickly with a 22-5 scoring advantage in the first quarter. The team was led by Corri Vermilya, with 11 points. Sophia Spangler hit a pair of baskets and a free throw for five points.
The high scoring continued in the second quarter, with Loudonville going up 42-15 at the half. Vermilya was on fire, hitting a three and three other buckets for nine points. Jena Guilliams also hit a three, while Spangler scored a pair of baskets. Mya Vermilya got in on the action with a basket as well for two points.
They out-scored the Minutemen 18-10 in the third and 11-7 in the fourth quarter to take a convincing one on opening night.
“Our coaches are pleased with how well we shared the ball last night,” said Coach Bates. “Our official stats showed 14 assists on 26 made field goals - with six different kids adding an assist at some point in the game.”
Loudonville had four players in double figures, but Corri Vermilya was just about unstoppable with 30 points in the win. She was 7-for-8 from the charity stripe and hit a three.
Guilliams put up 12 points, hitting four threes in the game. Spangler scored 12 points, as well. Mya Vermilya also hit double figures, with 11 points, with seven coming in the third quarter that included a hit from downtown.
Lexington was led by Makaree Chapman’s 10 points and Cora Palmer had six points. Bella Temple scored five points, Zoe Borowicz had four points, Tatum Stover hit a three in the first quarter, and Julia Thompson scored two points.
On Dec. 2, Mount Gilead (2-1, 0-0) came to town for an early season matchup of two of the area’s top teams from different conferences. The Redbirds rose to the occasion, blowing out the Indians 61-25.
The Vermilya sisters controlled the pace of the game, each scoring 18 points to lead the offensive surge.
The opening quarter was close with Loudonville ip 13-9, but the Redbirds exploded for 26 points in the second quarter and held the Indians to only five. Mya Vermilya had 13 points in the first half and Corri had 10 points. The third quarter was all Loudonville again, outscoring the Indians 12-5, and they finished with a 10-6 fourth quarter, sealing the convincing win over a tough team.
Spangler also reached double figures with 14 points in the win, to go with four steals. Alexa Felix and Sydney Strouse each had four points and Guilliams hit a three in the fourth quarter. Guilliams also had three assists, while Felix added six boards and five steals.
Corri Vermilya had nine boards, two blocks and three assists, while Mya Vermilya added three assists and six steals.
“This is a quality win for us. Mount Gilead is a well coached team that made a nice tournament run a season ago and should be a league championship contender again this year in the KMAC,” said Coach Bates. “We will watch the film, find some ways to improve and get back after it at practice”.
As a team Loudonville was 10-for-12 at the free throw lines and hit seven threes.
The Indians were stifled by Loudonville’s defense most of the night. Aubrey Thomas and Faith White each scored seven points. Greer Simpson had six points, Ava Baker had three points and Danielle Pohlkotte scored two points.
Loudonville goes up against Ashland on Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at home, and then has a home matchup with Mansfield Christian on Dec. 9 at 2:30 p.m.
Mount Gilead faces KMAC rival Danville on Dec. 6 at 12:30 p.m.
The Minutemen face Willard on the road on Dec. 5 at 7:15 p.m. and Dec. 7 at Mount Vernon starting at 7:30 p.m.
