Corri Vermilya played some of her best basketball over the last week, posting two games of more than 40 points and dominating the glass. The senior guard has been as advertised as one of the top girls’ basketball players in Ohio, and now she is the Mount Vernon Athlete of the Week.
“Corri has always been a great basketball player, but this year she has done an outstanding job of positively effecting the game in a number of different ways than she had consistently,” Coach Tyler Bates said. “She is defending at a high level and creating open opportunities for her teammates - all while providing the same production scoring and rebounding the basketball, like she always has.”
This is the third time this season Vermilya has won the award, as the star Redbird has put together a season for the ages. Last week she averaged 36.3 points, 13.3 boards, 4.7 steals and to lead Loudonville to a 2-1 week.
Her first game of the week was a season high 40 points, to go with 16 rebounds and three steals to beat Port Clinton. It was during a top tier matchup of Ohio scorers and Vermilya rose to the occasion to out-duel DC Lanier. Coach Tyler Bates called it “another classic Corri Vermilya performance.” The Redbirds struggled shooting, but Vermilya was able to carry the team to victory. She also was praised by the Port Clinton athletic director, saying that she was the best opposing player to play in their gym.
While the team lost 73-64 to Akron Ellet in their next game, Vermilya was an absolute force. She set another season high with 47 points, and had 13 rebounds, four steals and three assists. Those numbers show greatness, and that was exactly what took place in this game. Ellet and Port Clinton are top level opponents, and much of the time, she ends up playing her best ball when it matters.
Bates said that she delivers far more often than not, and has had nothing but high praise for her all season.
“She is as special as she gets,” Bates said.
Loudonville finished the week beating East Knox in dominant fashion 64-18, and Vermilya put up big numbers over only three quarters. She had 22 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals and four assists to lead the Redbirds.
This season Vermilya has led the team to the eighth straight Mid-Buckeye Conference title and a no. 1 seed in the Northeast Ohio Division 4 super district.
Vermilya’s junior year was filled with achievements including the OPSWA Division II Player odf the Year and Miss Basketball Finalist. This senior season will almost certainly be a similar scenario, as her numbers are some of the best in the state across the board. The wild thing about it is that some games she has sat much of the second half to get players in during blowouts. Her level of play is as high as ever, and it is just in time for the postseason.
On the season she is averaging 27.6 ppg, 12.1 boards, 6.8 steals, 4.2 assists and 1.2 blocks. She has hit 80% of her free throws and 30% of her threes, while shooting 52% from the floor.
For career stats, Vermilya is currently 21st in OHSAA history with 2,250 points, 22nd in boards with 1,165 rebounds, and 11th in steals at 518. Vermilya has also tallied 318 assists and 126 blocks in her career. She has a career record of 82-15 and never lost a conference game.
She is the only player in the state of Ohio to ever have 2,200 points, 1,100 rebounds, 500 steals, 300 assists and 100 blocks over a career.
In the classroom, Vermilya is an A student and Bates said she is an outstanding representative of the school district.
“Corri is a hard-worker who truly enjoys making a difference by helping others,” Bates said. “She is active as a servant leader in our community and certainly has a bright future ahead of her.”
Congratulations to Vermilya and good luck the rest of the way!
