Loudonville Redbirds/Mid-Buckeye Conference News

Loudonville to Play Explosive Centerburg

          Loudonville visits Centerburg on Friday night for a game in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference.

          They dropped their league opener (27-12) to East Knox last week.

          Coach Ed Honabager says they were their own worst enemy.  “Obviously we weren't pleased with it.  We had five turnovers in the first half.  You're not going to win games when you have five turnovers in a half,” he said.

          Loudonville (2-2,0-1) is at Centerburg (3-1,1-0) on Friday night.  The Trojans outscored Northmor (44-27) in their first “KMAC” game last week.

          Honabarger says the Trojans are really good.  “I think they're the best team left on our schedule.  They are very dynamic and have lot of weapons, a lot of athletes, size,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “I could see them making a nice little playoff run for sure as long as they stay healthy.  They are a well coached team.  They create a lot of problems and mismatches for teams.”

          Honabarger says they can’t give up a bunch of big plays.  “You want to make sure they earn it and have nine or 10 play drives.  On the other hand, you need to make sure you eat up as much clock as possible to keep their offense off the field and keep them out of rhythm,” said Honabarger.

Published 9/17/25

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Loudonville Must be Better

          Loudonville makes the short trip to Hillsdale top challenge the Falcons in a non-conference game on Friday night.

          The Redbirds have won their first two in smoking both Mapleton (60-0) and Richmond Heights (48-16) in the first two weeks.

          Veteran coach Ed Honabarger, in his second season at Loudonville, says the kids really believe in what they are doing.  “We've got really good buy in from the kids.  They worked extremely hard in the off season.  It was nice, last year I got the job at the end of May, so I had six weeks before basically getting to camp,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “To have a whole offseason where you can work with the kids in the weight room get them stronger, faster and just see what the kids are able to do.  Trying to fit the offense and defense around their abilities.”

          Hillsdale (2-0) crushed Lucas (31-0) last week and is coming off a season in which they were state runner-up in division VII.

          Honabarger says this is an explosive football team they are facing.  “Well, a little bit of everything.  They've got a ton of kids back from last year's great season.  They have got good team speed, they have got size, nice leader there at quarterback.  So, they make big plays.  We have got to limit their big plays.  Definitely we want to eat up clock and keep their offense off the field,” he said.

          Honabarger says they fully realize this the best team they have so far and they need to step up their play to be competitive.  “The kids are really excited about the opportunity.  We played two games, of course last year we couldn't win those games.  We're taking steps in the right direction and as the season goes they know each game is going to be a little bit harder.  This is by far the best opponent, they might be the best opponent we'll play the rest of the season to be honest.  It's a good place to see where you're at and what's have got to improve on,” said Honabarger.

Published 9/04/25

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Line Scrimmage Important for Loudonville

          Loudonville begins a new era of football on Friday night as they travel to Mapleton to take on the Mounties in a non-conference game.

          Ed Honabarger takes over as head coach of the Redbirds and he says they have been working to make sure they are prepared for the first time under the lights.  “I believe we're ready.  We've been putting a lot of emphasis on trying to do the little things right, correcting mistakes from our scrimmages, so we're hoping to take a step forward in this game one,” said Honabarger.

          Honabarger says there is always a great deal of anticipation for that first game.  “It's the first one that actually counts.  Every fall everybody's got a lot of optimism going in, so it's important that first game you want to get off on the right foot to keep that optimism going and the community excited and the team and the school excited,” he said.

          Honabarger says Mapleton, also with a new coach in Mitch Young, is going to try and be a power football team.  “In their scrimmages their running the wing-T, so they want to play power football, establish the fullback and hit you with play action passes,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday afternoon, “Defensively they're playing an old school 5-2 and they're going to bring some pressure at you.   They're playing to play a physical brand of football.”

Published 8/23/24

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Loudonville Wants to be Multiple

          Ed Honabarger is back as a high school football head coach as he takes over the program at Loudonville.

          After a successful run at Danville, he was an assistant the last four years at West Holmes.

          Honabarger says he has been pleased with the approach of the Redbirds.  “Well, I really like the kids.  They're a good group of kids and they've been working really hard in the weight room and on the practice field.  We're small numbers right now.  We only have 28, so that's something we need to grow in the future, but I cannot complain about their effort or their attitude,” said Honabarger.

          This year just due to the way the calendar falls, there are a few extra days to prepare for the season opener.  Honabarger says that is going to help them.  “We can’t have enough time considering I'm putting in a different system than they're used to, different terminology, just trying to catch all the kids up.  It's not like they've been doing the same system for the past five years like my system, so obviously that takes some time,” he said.

          At Danville, Honabarger featured an explosive offense that could do a lot of things.  He says that is what he wants to do at Loudonville.  “That's what we want to go with.  We want to be a multi formation team and just take advantage of what you're giving us, that’s basically what we did Danville.  We had some pretty special quarterbacks at Danville through that stretch when we went to the spread, but we'll be running formations.  We're going to try to pound you when we can pound you in and flank out and hopefully be able to pass on you as well.”

Published 8/08/24

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Loudonville Wants Quick Start

          Loudonville takes on Waterford on Thursday morning in a division IV state semifinal at the University of Dayton.

          The winner will play either Forst Loramie or Convoy Crestview for a state title on Saturday morning.

          Loudonville (26-2) is making its first state tournament appearance since 1992.

          Coach Tyler Bates says he is extremely proud of what they have accomplished.  “I'm really proud of our players and coaches.  I even sent a message to the parents (Tuesday) and just told them thank you for everything this year.  They've let us coach their daughters and do the things we needed to do to kind of get to the point that we're at today.  We've played a tough schedule.  We've traveled all over Ohio to play games.  Had some long nights of practice with lifting and film.  They certainly between balancing work and vacation and other sports in the summer we expect a lot out of them there too.  So, it's just been a team effort and I couldn't be more proud of our group,” he said.

          Bates says is a game like this you have to play your best to have a chance most times.  He says the goal is to have more points than Waterford.  “We would love to play well.  We know Waterford is going to have something to do with that too probably, but we would love to go play well down there.  I don't care if we play well or not if we get a win, it could be the ugliest game ever if we win on Thursday I'll be thrilled.  Obviously, when you advance in the tournament that next game you want to put your best foot forward.  Right now, I just kind of have the mindset of this is going to be the first time a lot of people have seen these Loudonville girls play.  I want us to put our best foot forward and show them how hard we work and how scrappy and tough we are,” said Bates.

          Waterford (23-3) won the state title in 2022 and has been to the final four five other times since 2015.

          Bates says they are really good and have a big kid that does just about everything in the post.  “They’re a well coached team.  Coach (Jerry) Close is a legend and is one of the best coaches in Ohio certainly.  They do have a number of kids that were contributors on the 2022 state team and they've been used to playing on the big stage, so that that's obviously a benefit for them,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “Wagner is a great post player inside at 6’4” she alters a lot of shots and also has the offensive ability to score buckets.  Everyone's a mismatch to her when she has the ball.  Then some great guard play to go along with her.  So, they're a tough matchup for us.  We know that we're going to have to play well to have a chance in the second half, but we're excited for the opportunity.”

          Bates says they want to continue to defend and rebound and they would like to get off to a great start.  “I would like us to shoot the ball a little bit better than we did in the regional tournament.  We did not shoot the ball very well, but I did feel like we rebounded it well and maybe forced the other teams into some difficult shots.  So, we would love to do that again this week if we can.  I think we would love to start fast.  I'm sure that every team going to Dayton this week says that they would love to start fast, but we would love to really just come out and play with some energy and settle in right away.  I think if we could do those things, it would be great,” said Bates.

Published 3/13/2024

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Loudonville Looking Forward to Matchup With Danbury

          Loudonville has a date with Danbury-Lakeside in a division IV regional semifinal at Massillon Perry High School on Thursday night.

          The winner will get Richmond Heights or New Middletown Springfield in a regional final at Perry on Saturday night.

          Coach Tyler Bates says winning a district title was a goal, but hopefully they aren’t done accomplishing things.  “Our girls know how hard you have to work to win that district championship.  Although it's been a goal they knew they would have to show up and play, but I think there was a little bit of a different feeling last weekend when we won it than maybe in the past.  It was one of those situations where the girls were, like alright what's next here?  So, that's exciting to see.  Also, though I know we'll be able to look back on it and appreciate how much work we put in to win a district title and how special it is,” said Bates.

          The Lady Birds are led by senior Corri Vermilya, a finalist for Ms. Basketball in Ohio.  She averages 27.8 PPG, 12 rebounds, four assists and seven steals per game.

          Loudonville (24-2) takes on the Lady Lakers (24-2) and runner-up in the River Division of the Sandusky Bay Conference on Thursday night.  Danbury handled New London (42-27) last Saturday in a district final.

          Bates says Danbury is a total team.  “They have a nice team, very well coached, good upperclassmen, great guard play, great post play, they’re really solid defensively, they hang their hat on playing great defense,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday afternoon, “We're going to have our hands full.  We know that this isn't going to be an easy one for us.  We're going to have to come out and play, but we're excited to have the opportunity and we know that everyone that is playing at this point it's good.”

          Both Gibsonburg and Tiffin Calvert, also of the River Division, lost in division IV regional semifinals on Wednesday night.

          Bates says Danbury-Lakeside has been tested.  “The success of their conference in the tournament says a lot about the kind of schedule that they play, the kind of teams that they're playing.  I think you just have to look at yourself and hope that you've done the same thing and have prepared your team for this game.  We'll find out on Thursday,” he said.

Published 3/07/24

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Loudonville to be Loudonville

          Loudonville, the champion of the Mid-Buckeye Conference, will play Lowellville on Wednesday night in a division IV district semifinal at Norwayne High School.

          They did not play a sectional championship game because Lordstown forfeited.  So, the have not played since an (89-11) win in their tournament opener last Monday against Valley Christian.

          Coach Tyler Bates says that was not what they were hoping for, but they will take it.  “It's not ideal, but the way we've looked at it all year is we're going to do whatever we have to do and we're going to try to not let things like this, or anything that inconveniences us throughout the year, knock us off our path.  This is just another one of those things.  To be honest, we've had some great practices splitting up the groups and competing against each other.  That's what we've done in the past.  We've lifted hard, so we'll see whether or not we come out with a little bit of rust, but I know our girls are going to be excited.  It's a really driven group and I think we'll be ready to play,” said Bates.

          Loudonville (22-2), the winner of our Swankonsports.com girls’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division this year, meets Lowellville (11-13) on Wednesday.  They beat Bristol (31-30) to win a sectional title.

          Bates says they are going to try to slow the pace of the game down.  “They had a nice win over the weekend against Bristol.  They want to kind of keep that tempo down a little bit.  They don't run as much as we do.  They do have some capable shooters if you let them get their feet set the in half court,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “We're going to do the things we've done all year.  Try to push the pace, pressure the ball and probably shoot a lot of threes just like we have all year and see if that formula can keep this going for us.  Regardless of what a team's record is, or how their season ended, if you're playing at the district level now you've got a pretty nice team and that's how we've prepared all week for this game.”

          Bates says they are going to try and do the things that have made them successful this season.  “If you don't have an identity at this point in the year it can be concerning for you and I think you know midnight can come a little bit quicker there for Cinderella.  We tried all year focusing on a couple things offensively, a couple things defensively and have worked really hard at getting as good as we can at those things.  It's gotten us to this point with 22 wins, although we know we're not perfect, and there's obviously game plan things that you adjust for each game, overall, I think at this point you do what has gotten you to this point and you let the chips fall,” he said.

Published 2/28/24

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Loudonville Ready to Start Tournament

          Loudonville, the Mid-Buckeye Conference champion, opens tournament play in division IV on Wednesday might by hosting Valley Christian in a sectional semifinal.

          If they win they will advance to the district because the team they would have played, Lordstown, has informed the state that they have decided against playing in the tournament.

          The Lady Redbirds (20-2), #1 in the final Swankonsports.com girls’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, hammered Columbia (88-49) on Saturday.

          Coach Tyler Bates says they really played well and he hopes that’s a good sign.  “I don't know if we're ever where we want to be, but I'll tell you this, the game we played Saturday against Columbia was the best game we have played three years.  Those who say you want your last regular season game to be the best game after the tournament, they would be thrilled with how he played Saturday.  I don't know if that means much as far as how we're going to come out and play in the tournament, but it was a great sign that the girls have stayed locked in and want to make a run here with how they played Saturday against Columbia,” said Bates.

          Valley Christian (1-21) will be a significant underdog.

          Bates says they have to come out and be focused.  “They had a tough season, young team.  They’ve really struggled to win games out there.  I know that the trip to Loudonville is probably going to be a little bit farther then they would like.  We're just going to come out and try to play a clean game in front of our home fans.  I'm happy for the girls, they earned that home game in the sectional.  Just take it one day at a time hopefully, we win and then advance look forward to the next opponent,” he said.

          Loudonville will not be in division IV next year with the expanded divisions.

          Bates says he likes the changes that have been made.  “I give the OHSAA so much credit for the changes that they've made in recent years, whether it be the computer points based seating for the tournaments, changes to venues for the state final four in various sports or now with the division expansion.  These are things that other states have been doing for years and Ohio at times is falling behind in some of these areas.  This administration that we have with the OHSAA is taking these projects head on,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “It's just outstanding as a coach to see them putting the kids first.  At times, you see some negative comments.  Many of them are misinformed and are spreading wrong information on social media without actually paying attention to the facts that the OHSAA and the member schools have provided.  So, I think it's going to be great to see more communities playing farther in these tournaments.  I don't hear anybody really complaining about the football setup in Ohio, whether it be with the computer point system or how the tournament brackets are run or even with seven divisions.  So, for the rest of the sports to kind of move forward and make things even with the great football system that we have in Ohio is outstanding.”

Published 2/21/24

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Loudonville to Play “N10” Leaders

          Loudonville, the Mid-Buckeye Conference leader, plays at Colonel Crawford, in first place in the Northern 10 Athletic Conference, in an outstanding girls game on Wednesday night.

          The Lady Redbirds (15-1), #1 in the Swankonsports.com girls’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, lost for the first time this season last week when Warrensville Heights beat them (67-51) last Tuesday.

          Coach Tyler Bates says the game got away from them in the fourth quarter.  “I mean there's no shame.  We went up to Warrensville Heights played a true road game last week and they got us.  We were right in it through three quarters and then we just did not play a very good fourth quarter.  I give them all the credit in the world for doing that to us.  When you leave there, you watch a film and there's a lot of things that we took from it that we hope to fix.  They're the number one ranked team in their division (division III) in northeast Ohio in the RPI, so it's not a loss that we would say it's a bad loss by any stretch.  You just have got to hope that you take something from it and learn from it,” said Bates.

          Colonel Crawford (16-1) is coming off a big win in the “N10” (42-28) over Carey on Saturday.

          Bates says the Lady Eagles just don’t make many mistakes.  “Crawford has had an outstanding season.  I mean Zac (Bauer) has done a great job with their team.  I think he knew coming in this season that they had the potential to have a great year.  Defensively, they just compete and offensively they make you work.  They're not going to bail you out with bad shots or turning the ball over.  They make you get in a stance and guard them.  When you see a team disciplined with the ball in their hands that is willing to defend one through five that's usually a pretty special combination and that's why they've had the season that they've had,” he said.

          Bates says they want to get this game moving and get some shots up.  “I think it could be a tempo battle and that's not to say that Crawford doesn't have kids that can get up and down and score the ball.  They have kept those scores down a little bit.  I mean when you watch them play, they are very meticulous at times,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night. “We definitely want to play fast.  I don't think that's any secret with anyone that's watched us play.  So, we're going to try to continue to do what we've done this year and defend and try to rebound and push tempo.  If we think we have a good shot, we want the girls to take it and hopefully we make enough to give ourselves a chance.  We know it's going to be a great environment against a really good team.  So, as we have got to look ahead to the tournament and these are the games we need.”

Published 1/30/2024

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Loudonville Looking for Test

          Loudonville, the Mid-Buckeye Conference leader, will at home for Wellington in a non-conference game on Wednesday night.

          The Lady Redbirds (14-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com girls’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, is unbeaten on the season.

          Monday night, they went to Mogadore and walloped the Lady Wildcats (66-22) in non-league play.

          Coach Tyler Bates says it took them a while to get going.  “It was a little bit of a slow start for us, but the girls stuck with it kept trying to get stops defensively and finally we saw the ball going the hoop a little bit more.  So, to go on the road pretty far away from home and beat a Mogadore program that's had some success over the years is a good feeling,” said Bates.

          Bates says Wellington has the kind team that can challenge them.  He says hey better be ready defensively.  “Wellington's having a great season.  They enter our game at 8-2.  They're still in contention for their league championship.  They've got a good mix of size and playmakers at the guard positions,” he told Swankonspots.com on Tuesday night, “We're not going to be able to just do one thing defensively (Wednesday).  We're going to have to guard post players, we’ll have to defend the perimeter and we're going to definitely have to make sure we rebound because they have a rebounding team.”

          Loudonville also has teams like Warrensville Heights, “N10” leader Colonel Crawford and a very strong Port Clinton coming up on their schedule and Bates says these are the kind of teams they want to play.  “It’s exciting now as we head down the final stretch of the season here to play some good opponents and Wellington's definitely one here that's going to start off this stretch for us before we hit the road for some really tough ones,” he said.

Published 1/10/2024

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Loudonville Girls Unselfish

          Unbeaten Loudonville makes the trip to Lucas to face the Lady Cubs in a Mid-Buckeye Conference game on Thursday night.

          They play Alliance in a non-conference game on the road on Saturday.

          They have won their first six games, often times by large margins, and coach Tyler Bates says they have been playing solid team basketball.  “I think that the girls have shared the ball really well offensively.  We've got some good balance scoring the ball.  Defensively, we've competed pretty hard and we've been able to turn the other team over and rebounded at a high level.  So, that's all that you can ask for as a coach.  I'm happy that we're doing that to start the year,” said Bates.

          It’s been a rebuilding year for the Lady Cubs, but Bates says they know they are always going to get their best effort.  “Our girls are always focused on playing Lucas.  It's been a rivalry over the years.  We have a lot of respect for coach Grover in that program.  They're really young, but anytime that Loudonville and Lucas play you're going to get the best from both teams and we would expect nothing less from them,” he said.

          Loudonville (7-0), #1 in the Swankonsports.com girls basketball coaches poll in the small school division, does not shy away from playing bigger schools in non-conference play.

          Bates says teams like Alliance are going to make them better.  “Alliance is a super athletic team.  We're excited to travel over an hour to go play an athletic team with some size because we know that that's something that we could see come tournament time.  So, we've got a couple of those teams on the schedule this year here after the new year as well.  We're just going to go look at them as chances to improve for the stretch and hopefully we can get something on film that we can take and improve from so that when it matters maybe we don't make the same mistakes.”

Published 12/21/23

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Loudonville Optimistic Right Now

          Loudonville, the defending champion in the Mid-Buckeye Conference, expects with a lot of experience back expects to have an excellent girls’ basketball season.

          However, coach Tyler Bates says there have been some rocky patches in the first week of the preseason.  “The girls are working hard, I'm really proud of them.  We've had some competitive practices and we've had some ugly practices that need to get better if we're going to win some games this year and reach our goals.  All in all, I think the kids are working hard.  Hopefully, once we get into scrimmages and start to maybe get on film and get exposed a little bit we can fix some of those things that maybe aren't the best right now and turn those weaknesses into strengths,” said Bates.

          Bates says they have a lot of experience back from last year and he says certainly the potential is there of the Lady Birds.  “We've got a lot of experience coming back.  I think we've got nine letter winners coming back.  Some girls that have played in some really big games for us, so that's pretty exciting.  We have a solid group of 10 girls that really lifted and worked out together for the whole preseason to just kind of get into basketball shape,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday night, “They were shooting on the gun, things like that.  When you have experienced kids that are bought and it really means a lot to them I think that's something that can give you some hope and could be a cause for excitement.”

          Loudonville will scrimmage against Canal Fulton Northwest and Streetsboro, both bigger schools, next week.  They open their season against Medina Buckeye the day after Thanksgiving.

          Bates says he is anxious to see how good they can be this year.  “We know, obviously, it takes a lot of luck and we’ve got to jell together and everyone's has got to sacrifice, but we're cautiously optimistic right now and looking forward to see how it looks when we're playing five on five against someone else,” he said.

Published 11/03/23

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Loudonville Plays Very Good Smithville

          Conference champions meet as Loudonville faces Smithville in the girls’ division III district semifinals at Wooster High School.

          Loudonville (18-5) won the Mid-Buckeye Conference outright and Smithville shared the tough Wayne County Athletic League with Waynedale and Chippewa, who are also playing at the district level.

          The Lady Redbirds beat Canton South (45-39) in their tournament opener on Saturday.

          Coach Tyler Bates says for them it was survive and advance.  “It was a good test for us.  Canton South is an athletic team, they're well coached, our girls fought hard and pulled one out in the second half, so we're excited to keep playing,” he said.

          Smithville (21-2) beat Navarre Fairless (38-36) on Saturday in their first tournament game.

          Bates says the Lady Smithies have the whole package.  They defend well and they can put five shooters on the floor.  “Smithville has had an outstanding season.  They're very deserving of the number one seed in our district.  They've got as impressive of a resume as anyone with the quality wins that they have,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “They really get after you on the defensive end of the floor.  They make you earn everything.  Offensively they have five girls that can shoot the ball on the court at all times.  So, you can't really hide anybody when you're on defense and I think there's the challenge.  They don't make it easy to score on them and they can all shoot.  So, you have to play well to have a chance.
          Bates says this is a game that is probably going to come down to a few plays.  “We have some kids that have played in these big games before obviously in the past few years.  So, we know at this point in the season anybody that we play at the district level is going to be tough and like you said we're going to have to make some plays down the stretch.  Hopefully, we can make more than they do and that gives us a chance.”

Published 2/21/23

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Loudonville Plays “OCC” Member Wooster

          Loudonville, the Mid-Buckeye Conference champion, plays a non-conference game against Wooster on Saturday afternoon.

          Coach Tyler Bates says the Lady Redbirds (15-3), #5 in the Swankonsports.com girls’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, are getting better and one of the reasons is they are finally healthy.  “One thing I'll say is coming into the season with one senior and not a lot of experience just that game experience and the practice time that we've had together is awesome,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “I would say the biggest thing is we're finally healthy.  We haven't been healthy all year.  So far, knock on wood, we haven't lost a game yet when our whole team played.  We're hoping that we can keep everyone healthy and play together here and maybe play some meaningful basketball down the stretch.”

          Bates says Wooster will be a big challenge for them come Saturday.  “Their coach Alex Kacere and I actually grew up together and played basketball together.  He does a nice job with those girls, they love playing for him, we know it's going to be a tough environment for us going over there.  They play some good basketball at home.  They have the reigning Ohio Cardinal Conference player of the year in their point guard and then some outstanding pieces to surround her,” said Bates.

          Bates says not only do they get a chance to play a talented team, they will play on floor they could play on again later this month in the tournament.  “It's a great opportunity for us to play a good team on the court for our district tournament is being held.  That was one of the more intriguing things for us.  We can get on that court a little bit.  We're hoping to make it to the district final four again.  We know it'll be tough, but if we can to have the opportunity to get a game on that floor as an added bonus I think,” said Bates.

Published 2/01/23

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Loudonville Ready for Revenge

          Loudonville, already the outright Mid-Buckeye Conference champion, plays at home against Crestview in a non-conference game on Thursday night.

          At (13-3) on season it has already been another solid season for the Lady Redbirds.

          Coach Tyler Bates says they have shown the improvement he is looking for.  “It's been an interesting year.  We have faced some adversity in the form of injuries and youth and trying to get some kids to settle into their new roles, but right now the way we're playing I'm really happy.  I'm just excited to see the girls rounding into shape a little bit and most importantly, knock on wood, right now we've got everyone available at our disposal, so that's big for the homestretch of the season,” he said.

          Last week, in a (71-68) victory over Mansfield Senior, Loudonville’s Corri Vermilya scored and incredible 59 points. In a regulation game of 32 minutes.  Bates says that came in a game where they needed all of those points.  “We were looking at the state record books and there haven't been too many that have gotten over that 55 mark in state history, so for Corri to put her name in that category with all of those players is tremendous,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday afternoon, “It's funny because everyone has stories about their eras and how the players would translate.  I do know this, a lot of these records in Ohio were put up in games without the running clock and at times when there was a large discrepancy in talent in Ohio.  I think what makes Corri’s game really special is because she did it against a really good team and we needed every point to win the game.”

          Loudonville hosts Crestview on Thursday.

          Bates says his kids will be ready for this one.  “Our girls are fired up for this one.  I mean Crestview beat us last year over there and we're excited to have a chance to play them in our home gym and hopefully get a little bit of payback for that for that loss that they gave us last year.  It's a team full of guards and they're going to pressure the ball and really make you work for everything that you get offensively.  So, we need to take care of the ball and make sure that we're all ready to defend on the perimeter,” he said.

Published 1/25/23

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Loudonville Plays Super Talented Mansfield Senior

          Loudonville, the Mid-Buckeye Conference champion, plays host to Mansfield Senior, out of the Ohio Cardinal Conference, on Tuesday night for a non-conference game.

          They clinched their seventh straight conference title with a (59-33) win over Mansfield Christian on Saturday night.

          Coach Tyler Bates says winning the conference title has always been a goal of theirs.  “Each year, one of our first goals is to win the conference.  For our girls to be able to do that and win it outright, I'm just so happy for them.  I always believe that conference championships are won outside of the season when you're putting in those blood, sweat, and tears.  Our girls have worked really hard so it was a great treat to be able to celebrate on Saturday night,” said Bates.

          Loudonville (11-3) hosts Mansfield Senior (12-3), #5 in the Swankonsports.com girls’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, on Tuesday night.  The Lady Tygers are coming off handing West Holmes their first loss of the season (40-38) in “OCC” game on Thursday night.

          Bates says they have athletes and they are skilled.  “This is a group they've been waiting for for a long time at Mansfield Senior.  They have a great mixture of athleticism and skill.  It's going to be tough for us.  We're excited to play another non league game that's going to push us.  We know we're going to have to play well to have a chance in the fourth quarter,” he said.

          Bates says the Lady Tygers have a lot of tools.  He says they have to limit turnovers keep Mansfield Senior off the offensive glass.  “Kiersten Bradley is just an outstanding scorer of the basketball.  She can shoot it from deep, she can go off the dribble a little bit and mix it up in the paint.  Obviously, Monetta Hilory is just a lightning quick point guard that really makes things go for them,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “They're deep they, have good guard play, as well as the (Annaleise) Norris girl inside cleaning up the glass.  So, really not a lot of weaknesses for them.  We need to take care of the basketball and make sure that we limit them to one shot each possession.”

Published 1/17/23

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Loudonville Wins by One Again

          Loudonville did it again on Monday night, the earned a one-point win in downing Medina Buckeye (40-39) in non-conference play.

          Coach Tyler Bates says the Lady Redbirds (2-1) did it with defense and he is really proud of them.  “We have definitely had a couple of close games here.  I think we have been trailing for much more time than we have been winning these past two games.  Once again (Monday) night with under a minute our girls’ executed some stuff and we got some stops and came a way with a one-point victory for the second time in a row on the road.  I am really proud of them,” said Bates.

          They beat Cardington (39-38) last week.

          Bates says the confidence is growing with this team because they are doing things hey gave never done before and doing them well.  “We have been playing without our first team All-Ohio in Corri Vermilya.  So, we have some kids trying to do some things they haven’t been asked to do,” he told Swankonsports.com after the win, “For them to dig deep and come away with two victories, especially in the manner that they have at the end of the game just shows we how proud they are to wear Loudonville on their jerseys and how seriously they are taking tis responsivity.  It was just great to see.”

          Bates has said this year that they have to play defense if they are going to win and he says they have been doing a pretty good job of it so far.  “I really see a lot of things on film that the girls’ are doing that are outstanding.  They are jumping to the basketball.  They are not letting kids cut in front of them.  They are communicating screens.  For the most part we are rebounding the basketball.  It has been the defensive side of the ball that has given us a chance to stay in some of these games,” said Bates.

Published 11/29/22

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Loudonville Needs Improvement

          Loudonville plays at Cardington on Tuesday night in a non-conference game between teams that won conference titles last year.

          The Lady Redbirds in the Mid-Buckeye Conference and Cardington in the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference.

          Loudonville opened the season last Saturday with a (59-27) setback to Harvest Prep, a statewide power.

          Coach Tyler Bates says they had problems putting the ball in the hoop.  “Well, we have a lot of work to do, but I was really proud of our effort defensively in the first half.  We got stops and we limited them to only 20 points in the first half.  I thought it was a chance to win, but we just couldn’t put the ball in the basket.  They were longer and more athletic than us, honestly, at all five spots on the court throughout the game.  Hopefully, with our young team it is something we grow from.  That’s always what I’m looking at here with our non-conference contests.  Although, you never want to lose, or lose badly, it is something you have to remember,” said Bates.

          Bates says it very important that the clean up some of the mistakes they made on Saturday and play a better game against Cardington.  “I think if you don’t see improvement, honestly after anytime you play, but definitely with the first game, that is wen you start to be concerned.  I don’t think you get too concerned with how you look the first game, but where you get concerned is, okay, we see what we need to work on, now are we going to fix those things,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday evening, “If we don’t after we knew we need to fix those things that is when I think you get concerned.  So, our game with Cardington here and then Medina Buckeye next week those are going to be big time games for us to see if we are growing or not, are we learning from these things.”

          Cardington (1-1) lost to North Union (47-32) on Friday and then beat Ridgedale (45-11) on Saturday.  They have a new head coach in Kevin Fitzpatrick.

          Bates says they will see some zone on Tuesday.  “They have a young team as well with a new coaching staff.  They are well coached and they take a lot of pride in wearing the Cardington uniform.  We know they are going to come out and play hard, they spread the court.  They mix in some different zone defenses throughout a game.  I think this is two programs right now that are looking to see who is going to step up next and be that next wave of good players for their school.  It is a fun early matchup, no doubt,” he said.

Published 11/22/22

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Loudonville Focusing on Defense

          Loudonville, the defending Mid-Buckeye Conference champion, will be more inexperienced, but still talented this year.

          Coach Tyler Bates says he has a group that is willing to work hard, but so far has shown the inconsistency of a younger team.  “I like what I’ve seen from an effort standpoint.  It’s a fun group that we have this year.  I really enjoy being around the girls.  They show up every day ready to work.  We have had some inconsistencies that I think you have with a young team,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “We are going to be one of the younger teams in the area this year form top to bottom on our roster.  I think there is a little bit of inconsistency that you can expect, but we are trying to work through it.  The bottom line is the kids have good attitudes and they are ready to show up and work every day.  As a coach, that is all we can ask for.”

          The Lady Redbirds open the season November 18 at Lexington of the Ohio Cardinal Conference.  Their first conference game will be at Mansfield Christian on December 3.

          Bates says there is no question they will have talent this year and they have some younger kids that can make an impact.  “We have some talent.  We have some kids that have worked at it and put in a lot of time.  With female athletics especially, I think, younger kids can come in and make an impact a little earlier.  That is what we are hoping for this year with some of our youth.  Hopefully, it means good things for the future,” he said.

          Defense is going to be very important to Loudonville this year.  Bates says that is going to be the key their success on the floor.  “I’ll say last year it wasn’t good enough.  It wasn’t at the level that you would like it to be or that you would expect it to be at.  That is something this year that we have really been focusing on and saying that we need to get back to.  We just don’t want to win games because we outscore someone.  We want to win games because we played hard on the defensive end at got stops,” said Bates.

Published 11/10/22

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Loudonville Has to be Ready For Everything

          Loudonville travels to Athens County to face the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes in a division VI regional quarterfinal on Friday night.

          The Redbirds (7-4), out of the Knox Morrow Athletic Conference, beat Rock Hill (40-7) in a first round game last week.

          They have won five and row and coach John Battaglia says they are developing some confidence.  “I think they are just really starting to believe in themselves.  We have some pretty good players and I think they are just starting to realize that.  They are starting to believe some of what they think are stupid things that we keep repeating to them all of the time, how important some of those little things are.  It is just executing.  When I took over, they hadn’t had a winning season since 2014,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday evening, “So, I think getting a few wins under their belt and starting to execute better they are starting to realize how good they can be.  I just think when you haven’t won in a program in a while sometimes that takes a little bit.  You have to go through a tough loss or two and we definitely had that this year.”

          Nelsonville-York (10-1) smoked Grove City Christian (55-7) last week n their first playoff game.

          Battaglia says they will show them a lot of things.  “They are a good football team.  They are well coached.  You can tell by watching the tape.  They have a proud program down there.  It looks like they have a great stadium and great fans.  They do a lot of very good things.  They have good players and they get lined up in a lot of different formations that you have to be ready for.  They will try and do some trickster kind of stuff on you.  So, your defense has got to be locked in, focused, and be able to get lined up.  They do some interesting things with their defense that you have to be ready for too.  We have to go down there and be ready to play some ball,” he said.

          One of Loudonville’s best wins of the season cam early when they beat Hillsdale (14-0) on week three.

          Battaglia says this week’s opponent strike a chord to him of Hillsdale.  “They remind me of Hillsdale.  Just the kind of kids that they have.  Obviously, Hillsdale is having a good season.  We played them earlier in the year.  I was talking to one of my coaches the other day and I said how do you think they would have done in our league?  He said how do think Hillsdale would have done in our league?  Some of the little quirky things they do to.  Some of the trick plays and stuff like that.  Just their level of talent.  Hillsdale was a tough game for us this year.  We were lucky to come away with a win.  I think they are playing a lot better football now.  (Nelsonville-York) has tough kids, so that would be my comparison,” said Battaglia.

Published 11/02/22

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Loudonville Faces Columbia Again

          Loudonville takes on Columbia in a division IV district semifinal at Norwayne High School on Wednesday night.

          The Lady Birds just beat Columbia (66-37) at home in a non-conference game a couple of weeks ago.

          Coach Tyler Bates knows Columbia will adapt.  “This is a team that has won a lot of games this year.  Because we just played two weeks ago, they are very familiar with us.  You can expect them to be motivated because we won a few weeks ago.  We can also expect them to switch a few things up defensively and when they have the ball because they are familiar with us,” he said.

          Loudonville (19-4) and winners of the Mid-Buckeye Conference this season made to the regional level last season, so they know a little bit about tournament success.

          Bates says you must execute on both ends.  “I think part of tournament basketball especially is you put together the best game plan you can and you go out and try and execute it to the fullest of your ability,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “The teams that can lock in an focus defensively and execute schematically when they have the ball those are the teams that make runs at this time of the year.  It’s cliché when people say it is one game at a time, but it really is one game at a time and who can execute that game plan the best.”

          Bates says another key is defense.  He says that is something you can count on every night.  “Defense travels on the road.  You can miss some shots and while that is frustrating as a coach or a player if you continue to defend an try to get deflections and rebound the basketball and hold the other team to one shot per possession who are going to have a chance to win games whether you are making a ton of shots or not,” said Bates.

Published 2/22/22

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Loudonville Ready to Start Tournament Play

          Loudonville, who advanced to the regional tournament last year in division IV, tips off this tournament season with a home game against Mid-Buckeye Conference foe Kidron Central Christian on Wednesday night.

          The Lady Redbirds (18-4), #3 in the final Swankonsports.com girls’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, won their last five games, including (59-10) over Newton Falls on Monday night.

          Coach Tyler Bates says they have polished some things these last couple of weeks.  “I really think it was worth playing all 22.  I have seen some things the past couple of weeks that we didn’t do 80 percent of the year.  We have a lot of work to do still, we are far from a finished product, but we are starting to defend better and cutting down on turnovers.  I’m really excited with the progress I have seen the last few weeks from the team,” said Bates.

          Bates feels the experienced they gained in the tournament run last year will help them this year.  “We felt our run to the sweet 16 last year was going to pay dividends for us.  We know that it is one day at a time, one practice at a time, one game at a time in the tournament.  You need to be ready to go every night in the tournament.  Basketball is about matchups and we need to lock in defensively and execute the game plan,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “Hopefully, of five girls especially that got to play on last year’s team can help kind of let us settle in here in the first few games and keep things going because like I said we were really happy with how the season ended and now it is about carrying it over to tournament time.”

          Kidron Central Christian (1-15) has struggled to get wins this year.  Loudonville beat them (76-3) on December 11 and (64-5) on January 13 in conference games.

          Bates says they have to focus on their game plan.  “They are very young.  It’s a rebuilding year for them.  They have worked hard this year to make a little bit of ground up throughout the season.  They are looking towards the future.  It’s a game that if we come out and play well, we should probably win.  We know they are going to play hard.  We know this is a valuable experience for them as well as they are trying to get ready for the next few years,” he said.

Published 2/16/22

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Loudonville Preparing for the Tournament

          Loudonville, the Mid-Buckeye Conference champion is going to play three non-conference game this week and another next week.

          They host Johnstown-Monroe on Wednesday, play at Centerburg on Friday, play at home against Columbia on Saturday and play at Newton Falls on Monday.

          Coach Tyler Bates says they want to get better and this is the only way to do it.  “It didn’t leave us with much time here to make up games before the tournament.  We just said we want to play all 22 of our games.  We have a lot of work to do still.  That is a fifth of our regular season that we still have to play.  We still have a lot of work to do and some things to figure out.  I wish I could set here and say we have all of the answers right now heading into the tournament, but we don’t.  We are going to take this week very seriously.  We have some good tests to get us ready for the tournament,” he said.

          Loudonville (13-4), #3 in the Swankonsports.com girls’ basketball poll in he small school division, plays host to Johnstown-Monroe on Wednesday night.

          Bates says that game with be a challenge for them.  “Johnstown has a couple of nice post players with some size.  A couple of six-footers.  They are really led by their sophomore point guard.  She is an outstanding scorer off the dribble and catch and shoot.  If you put too much attention on her, she will get her teammates the ball and they are more than capable of scoring it as well.  It definitely starts with the point guard and we are going to have our hands full wit her,” he told Swankonsports.com on Tuesday night, “They have played a solid league schedule in the “LCL.”  We are excited to get a chance to play in front of our home fans again.  This is only our seventh home game with year.  So, we haven’t got to play at home much.  Loudonville fans back in the day Johnstown was in the conference and it was a rivalry.  So, to get them to travel to Loudonville and play a non-league game for us at the end of the year is really exciting.”

          Bates says the goal is to continue to learn about themselves and get better.  “We were disappointed obviously last week with the weather and our big game against Cardington got cancelled.  They chose not to reschedule that with us, so we were left scrambling a little bit to try and find a couple of more games here at the end of the year.  Newton Falls stepped up and we are going to play them next week.  They are not having the season that they have had traditionally.  That is a very good program, well coached, that typically makes deep tournament runs.  That is what we want here at the end of the year.  We want to be challenged.  We want to see if we are sharp enough in certain aspects of the game and if we are not, we need to figure it out the next two weeks, that’s for sure,” said Bates.

Published 2/09/22

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Loudonville With Important Week

          Loudonville plays three games in four days starting on Wednesday in what is most likely their most important stretch of basketball of the season.

          They play at East Knox on Wednesday and at Crestview on Thursday in non-conference games and then host Mansfield Christian in a Mid-Buckeye Conference game on Saturday.

          Last Saturday, the Lady Birds downed Rootstown (71-46) in a non-league game.

          Coach Tyler Bates says it was a quality win for them.  “We knew this would be a big stretch here for us.  I was really proud the girls we traveled an hour and half on Saturday to Rootstown, they are a first place team in their league and to come away with a win like we did.  We shot 40 free throws, so that was a physical game for sure.  I was happy with how we fought back,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday, “We know going to East Knox and then Crestview on the second half of a back to back with both games on the road was going to be a challenge.  We are just looking to see if the girls compete this week and play with a little nastiness that you need to start to develop now as the tournament is getting closer.”

          Crestview is team that is improving.  Bates says they have to limit turnovers because the Lady Cougars are good at turning those into points.  “I think they have won 13 games in a row.  Amy Bays took over there at the beginning of the season.  She had a little bit of a short preseason as the head coach, so it just took them a little bit of time I think to get used to each other and do things the way she wants as the head coach.  They have sure played really well.  They are not the biggest team ever.  They play really hard.  They share the ball.  You don’t want to turn it over because they will make you pay if you give them the ball,” he said.

          Loudonville (11-3,7-0), #3 in the Swankonsports.com girls’ basketball poll in the small school division, plays host to Mansfield Christian (8-3,3-2) on Saturday.

          Bates says they want to close out league play the right way.  “Our first goal every year is to win the conference.  If we could get this one on Saturday it would be our sixth in a row and to do it with no losses would be just outstanding and it’s a testament to how hard our players and coaches work.  Mansfield Christian is having an outstanding season.  We know by the end of the week we might be on fumes, but we are going to have to dig deep and really make some plays defensively and take care of the basketball when we have it if we are going to beat a good Mansfield Christian team,” said Bates.

Published 1/25/22

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Loudonville Faces Clear Fork

          Loudonville, the Mid-Buckeye Conference leader, travels to Clear Fork on Tuesday night to take on the improved Lady Colts.

          Last week, the Lady Birds beat Lucas (72-51) in a “MBC” game on Tuesday and Northmor (64-56) in a non-league game on Wednesday.

          Coach Tyler Bates says they played well in both games.  “We always have a competitive game against Lucas, both teams play really hard.  They are down a little bit this year, but I was still pretty happy how we took care of business against them that being our biggest league rival.  The next night we had to get on a bus a drive to Northmor, who right now is second in the “KMAC” and entered that game at 7-2.  To go down there and get a win I couldn’t have been more proud of our effort last week as a coach,” said Bates.

          Loudonville (9-1), #3 in the Swankonsports.com girls’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, visits Clear Fork (10-2), #4 in the large school division, on Tuesday night.  The Lady Colts were handled last week (78-48) by unbeaten Shelby.

          Bates says there have been culture shift at Clear Fork.  “Coach (Scott) Sellers and his staff have done a great job.  It has been years since they have had a winning record there and they are well on their way this season.  They get a couple more and they have met that milestone, but I know that is not all that they want this year.  They have big goals.  They are certainly playing some good basketball this year,” he said.

          Clear Fork has been pressing a lot this year and Bates says they are going to have to limit turnovers.  “Against Clear Fork this year you have to be able to handle the ball.  Scott does a good job of rotating their kids and keeping them fresh, so they have energy to press the entire game.  They have still shown the ability to play halfcourt zone like they did last year as well.  Defensively, they have thrown a lot of different looks out there,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday night, “So, you just have to worry about yourself a little bit when you play the Lady Colts.  You need to take care of the ball and make sure you are moving it from side to side and hopefully get some paint touches if you can.”

Published 1/04/22

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Loudonville With Big One Against Mansfield Christian

          Co-leaders in the Mid-Buckeye Conference meet on Tuesday night as Loudonville travels to Mansfield Christian to face the Lady Flames at “The Furnace”.

          Loudonville hasn’t played a game in over a week, but coach Tyler Bates says they have been doing a lot of things to keep sharp.  “We have been having some pretty competitive practices over this time.  We have been lifting hard and watching film and scrimmaging a little bit with each other in practice.  So, not too worried about the layoff as much as Mansfield Christian, they have a nice team.  We are definitely worried more about them than they layoff whether it was one day or 10 like we have had, we know we need to be ready for Mansfield Christian,” said Bates.

          Loudonville (6-1,3-0), #3 in the Swankonsports.com girls’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, plays at Mansfield Christian (4-1,2-0) on Tuesday night.  The Lady Flames hammered Crestline (65-19) on Saturday.

          Bates says they know what it takes to win.  “They have a lot of experience back from last season.  They have a nice, young core.  Starting with the (Alexis) Rippel girl, the (Aubrynn) Maiyer girl and the (Anna) Sparks girl, that is a little three headed monster for them.  They bring in a couple of girls off the bench that have some good energy.  They won 20 games a year ago, so those girls know how to win.  Mansfield Christian certainly isn’t an easy place to play, so we are going to have to be ready to go when we go on the road,” he said.

          It’s early in the season still, but this is very important game in the “MBC” this year and Bates says they need to win it.  “The league is definitely down this year I think from top to bottom.  With that being said it is never easy when you are playing Lucas.  You have Mansfield Christian and us right now at the top.  We are going to play twice this year and this is the first one,” he told Swankonsports.com on Sunday night, “We know it is a really big one for the standings if we can go on the road and get it.  We don’t want to have to be playing catch up and rely on trying to get them in our gym at the end of the year.  So, this is a big one for us to go and try and get at Mansfield Christian to try and set the tone for how we want the league to finish up this year.”

Published 12/20/21

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Loudonville Travels to Lucas for League Opener

          Loudonville, the defending champion of the Mid-Buckeye Conference, travels to Lucas to meet their biggest rival in “MBC” play on Tuesday night at the “Cub Cave.”

          The Lady Redbirds (3-0) are coming off a (57-36) win over Berlin Center Western Reserve at the College of Wooster on Friday night.

          They also have wins over “OCC” opponents Lexington and Ashland this month.

          Coach Tyler Bates says they like what they see.  “I think our staff is really pleased with how we are progressing, but we know we are far from a finished product.  I’ll tell you what from the first day that we had practice with our entire team until last Friday’s game against Berlin Center Western Reserve, who was a regional qualifier last year, we have made a ton of progress and we are really excited about that progress that we have made because the girls have been listening to what we have been asking them to do.  They are trying to go out and do it to the best of their ability, so we don’t have any complaints,” said Bates.

          Bates says they have done an outstanding job on defense and that has put them in position to win.  “I am really proud of us on the defensive end and the way the girls have been competing.  At times it looks like maybe this is the best defensive team I have had in my nine years.  They are really getting after it.  I would say a lot of coaches would love to be able to say that their girls are competing on that side of the ball.  So far, this year we have done that.  I hope that as we get settled in a little bit our offense will match that level of defense that we have shown, but until them we just want to keep getting stops,” he said.

          Lucas (1-3) lost a tough one to Hillsdale (62-61) in a non-conference game on Saturday night.  Their only win came on Friday night when they beat Black River (46-42).

          Bates says they have some quality experience.  “It is always a big game for us in our conference.  Coach (Kathy) Grover does a great job for them over there.  They have a first team all conference kid back in Shelby Grover and a good point guard in the Sauder girl.  Our perimeter defenders are going to have to be ready.  We are going to have to be in good help side.  Everyone is always amped up for the Loudonville-Lucas game.  I expect the first one this season to be the same thing.  Hopefully, we can come out and play with emotion and have a lot of fun, but also do so under control and execute our stuff,” said Bates.

          Bates says they have to make sure they are executing at their best because Lucas in never an easy place to play.  “It is early, I think you just kind of look at yourself a little more maybe than they other team and you worry about what you have been doing.  Can we do what we want to the best of our ability?  You kind of let the chips fall where they may.  We have taken on the road warrior mindset here.  We have five road games in a row after winning our opening night game against Lex.  Going into Lucas is always a tough place to play and we are going to have to ready to compete because they are going to come out ready to go,” he told Swankonsports.com on Sunday evening, “They do have some experienced kids at the top of that roster that they ask to do a lot.  Hopefully, we can settle in a little bit there in the first quarter and use the depth that we have been using to try and wear teams down and make it a four quarter game.”

Published 11/29/21

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Loudonville Faces Some Unknowns in Lexington

          Loudonville opens the high school girls’ basketball season by hosting Lexington, of the Ohio Cardinal Conference, in a non-conference game on Friday night.

          They play another team from the “OCC” in Ashland on Saturday.

          The defending Mid-Buckeye Conference champs have some talent returning and coach Tyler Bates says they are staring to function well as a team going into the opener.  “It seems like we have had a really condensed preseason, but we have been hitting the kids with a lot of stuff.  Finally, these last few days I have seen the light clicking with some of the things we have been working on and maybe we have struggled with.  We are starting see it come together.  I am excited.  I can’t wait to get out on the floor and play a game that matters,” said Bates.

          Bates says there is no doubt the players are more than ready to start playing games for real.  “In practice we have been trying to go best on best.  We will try and split up the teams pretty evenly and scrimmage.  I think they are excited to be able to play together as opposed to against each other like we have been doing most of the days of practice,” he said.

          Lady Lex is now coached by former Lexington boys’ coach Grant Weaver and Bates says that means you are not sure what you are going to get from them, especially in an opener.  “I am sure it is normal to have a little bit of anxiety when you are facing a new coach.  Obviously, coach (Grant) Weaver is not totally new to the area or Lexington, but on the girls’ side as the head coach this is his first game there,” he told Swankonsports.com in Monday night, “I am interested to see what they are going to do.  We just have to kind of make sure we are ready for a little bit of everything since this is his first game.  They have some great size and some good returners at the guard and the wing spot.  They return a lot of letter winners, so we are going to have to be ready to go.  It was a very good opening night game for us last year and we expect nothing less than that this year as well.”

Published 11/16/21

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Loudonville Working on Ways to Improve

          Loudonville, a school that qualified for the girls’ basketball regional tournament last year, is trying to develop another strong team this season.

          Coach Tyler Bates says a lot of kids are moving into new roles and they are embracing those.  “I think that some of these kids that maybe played a role with some of those successful teams the past few years, maybe they were even in junior high or elementary school when it started, they are excited about having their own chance now to continue and set their own legacy here with us and our program, so that is exciting,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday afternoon, “With that being said we definitely have a lot of work to do.  I wouldn’t say we are very good now at all.  We were happy that our volleyball and girls’ soccer teams both made good runs in the fall.  Obviously, that means we got these kids back a little later, but we are starting to round into form a little bit.  We are throwing a lot at them because we have a shorten preseason and we know we have a lot of work to do.”

          Bates says they have the kinds of personnel that makes up a good defensive team, but right now they aren’t communicating very well and that has to improve.  “I think that we have a chance to be really good defensively because we have a little bit more switchability this year than we had the past.  We have kids that can guard multiple positions, but we are not doing a very good job of communicating as own unit on the floor.  We are not making our calls that we need to make in a timely matter defensively.  I think that just comes with territory when you lose some outstanding leaders that were four year letter winners that are playing in college now.  The show must go on and we are going to need some kids to grab those leadership roles vocally and take us to the next level on defense.  That is the biggest thing that is sticking out right now,” said Bates.

          Loudonville opens the season on November 19 at home against Lexington in a non-conference game.

          Bates says they will be well tested in scrimmage play and they will understand where their weaknesses are before the season starts for real.  “We are doing the same thing we always do.  We have a brutal scrimmage schedule.  We started with Canal Fulton Northwest and Massillon Perry this past weekend. We had Wadsworth, Chippewa, Mentor.  We are going to continue with Buckeye Central this week.  Definitely no easy days for us in the preseason.  We believe as a staff a tough preseason gets us ready for a regular season full of success.  At least that’s what we hope.  We want to get exposed right now and go back to the drawing board and work on some things when we see them on film.  Certainly, the teams we have scrimmaged so far have given us plenty to work on,” he said.

Published 11/09/21

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Loudonville Expects Up Tempo Game With Shadyside

          Loudonville faces Shadyside in a division IV regional semifinal on Thursday night at Massillon Perry High School.

          If the Lady Redbirds win, they would play either Berlin Center Western Reserve or McDonald for a regional title and a berth in the state tournament.

          Loudonville (25-0) dispatched Cornerstone Christian (63-43) in their district final last Saturday night.

          20 point wins in district finals don’t come a lot, but coach Tyler Bates says they did the job.  “When we watched film, it is something we thought we could do if we played to our potential.  Obviously, a team with the history of Cornerstone Christian is not going let you play to your potential on most nights.  We really feal like our district tournament, especially Andrews Osborne Academy, Dalton and Cornerstone Christian prepared us for what is left in the season and we hope that is a lot of basketball still,” said Bates.

          Shadyside downed Zanesville Rosecrans (54-40) last Saturday to win their district.

          Bates says this team has really the same approach to the game as they do.  “It is funny, they like to play fast, just like us.  We have not played too many teams this year that play at the tempo they do.  When you get to the tournament a lot of teams may have differentiating styles in a playoff game.  Ours are pretty similar,” he told Swankonsports.com on Thursday, “I would say the one big difference is they are more of a five out offense.  We obviously have Grace in the middle there.  So, while both of us will play fast maybe where those shots are coming from may be a little bit different.”

          Grace Vermilya scored a school record 53 points in a (78-74) overtime win over Dalton in the district semis.

          Bates says they have told the players this is a chance for them to do something really special.  “We talked to the team before the last game.  We told them these are going to be forever moments, now what those moments and memories are is up to you.  I think you better competitors, your top players, your upperclassmen, they really want to make positive memories in these moments.  Often times in the tournament if you get a role player or two to contribute that can be the difference in the game, but more often than not you go as your stars go.  If your stars show up can win and if not, it is probably going to be a tough night,” said Bates.

Published 3/04/21

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Unbeaten Loudonville at River Valley

          Loudonville has been successful every time out this season and they give it another shot as they play at River Valley in a non-conference game on Tuesday night.

          They are coming off a (67-33) destruction of Mansfield Christian in a Mid-Buckeye Conference game on Saturday afternoon.

          When you are undefeated you do a lot of things well and coach Tyler Bates says lately they have been outstanding shooters.  “Recently we have shot the ball really well.  I think we made 40 percent of our threes over the last two games, over 10 threes a game in those games.  When you are making shots that opens things up for you offensively.  We understand if we are not making shots, we have to figure out a way to get the win, whether it be defensively are out in transition and some other things like that.  When you do make shots, it makes things easy for you,” said Bates.

          Loudonville has good experience and they complement each other well.  Bates says that’s a good combination.  “We just have a team that has played a lot of basketball.  It starts with Grace Vermilya and Sydney Snyder, who have been corner stones of our program now for four years and have played on some really good teams.  Paige Race has played a lot of basketball.  When you look at her leading our team this year from the point guard position, she has done an outstanding job for us,” he said.

          Loudonville (15-0), #3 in the Swankonsports.com girls’ basketball coaches poll in the small school division, visits River Valley (4-5) on Tuesday night.  The Lady Vikings are coming off a (64-52) loss to Shelby in Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference play on Friday night.

          Bates says they can do some things.  “They are young.  They have some great athletes, but they are very young. They have played a tough schedule.  We have seen them mix up defenses.  There have been times they have been primary a zone team.  Actually, in the second half against Shelby they sped things up a little bit and pressured and really outscored Shelby in the second half of that game.  The problem was they got behind a little bit in the first half and couldn’t quite climb out of the hole.  They do a nice job there,” he told Swankonsports.com on Monday, “Their girls aren’t afraid to shoot the ball and they get some post touches with the two big girls.  We know going on the road against a team that has played a tough schedule like they have we are going to be in for a dogfight.”

          It’s just another chance to get better, according to Bates.  “We never looked at our schedule this year and said we want to go undefeated or we want to start 15-0 like we have.  We have just said we want to get better every day.  If you go and play a team like River Valley on the road and take advantage of that opportunity you should believe that you are going to get better that day.  That is how we are approaching this game and we are excited for the challenge,” he said.

Published 1/12/20

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Loudonville Expects Stiff Challenge from Lexington

          Loudonville begins the girls’ basketball season with a double weekend on the road at Lexington on Friday night and at Orrville on Saturday in non-conference games.

          Coach Tyler Bates says the killer is none of their first three games were on their original schedule, but changes were forced by… wait for it… COVID-19.  “We just said in our first team meeting that we felt that the teams that managed this COVID stuff the best and maybe stayed flexible and don’t get too out of shape will be the teams that have the best season when all is said and done.  You look at our first week of games it’s an illustration of that,” he told Swankonsports.com on Wednesday night, “We were supposed to open up with North Royalton at home on Saturday.  They go into quarantine and we were supposed to have Mansfield St. Peter’s next week and obviously they don’t have a team this winter.  So, we decide we are going to go to Lexington and play, go to Orrville Saturday and play and then we have Utica on Tuesday.  So, they’re new opponents.  Nothing like the schedule we thought we were going to have, but the good news is we are going to get a chance to play some basketball.  The kids are really excited and I know our staff is too.”

          Bates says they have some potential this year, but if they are to become a good team, they must commit to playing solid defense.  “We have a lot of work to do.  I would say it is a little more stressful knowing we are playing such a quality program in Lexington on opening night coming off their league championship last year in the Ohio Cardinal Conference.  We have the potential to be a pretty good team scoring the basketball.  Our ceiling will be determined by whether or not we commit on the defensive end right now.  We are not playing at the level defensively that I would like.  The girls know that.  I think if we as a unit, coaches, players, can dial in and reach our potential on that defensive end it could be a nice year in Loudonville for the girls’ basketball program, but we have a long way to go there,” he said.

          Bates says Lexington will be a tough challenge for them on Friday night.  He says they have an outstanding post player and they have some other pieces too.  “Jessica Brokaw has done an outstanding job with that program in the two years that she has been there.  She has the girls playing really hard, they are disciplined, offensively they execute at a high level, defensively they compete.  They are not afraid to play anybody because they do play in the Ohio Cardinal Conference, which is usually pretty tough year in and year out.  We know their team is going to start with Avery Coleman in the post.  She is one of the best post players in Northwest Ohio and we have to make her work for everything she gets.  Throw in some nice multi sport athletes that they have there that are still getting their legs under them probably.  They have the makings for another nice season in Lexington.  We are going to have to be ready to play Friday if we want the chance at it,” said Bates.

          When it comes to Orrville on Saturday, he says they are going to be an athletic bunch.  “Orrville is super athletic.  When coach (Mark) Alberts stepped down a few years ago they hired Maggie Sommers, she is an alum, and had a great playing career there and she is really working hard with her staff to get things back to what they expect them to be at Orrville for that girls program.  They were very young last year, so they return a lot of experience and athleticism.  It will be interesting for us.  We haven’t even talked about Orrville with our team yet, and it is not to disrespect them, but it’s because we respect Lexington so much.  With this COVID situation this year we have made it a point with the team to take things one day at a time and right now that is preparing for Lexington.  After the game Friday, we will start to turn our attention towards Orrville.  We will probably have to do a lot of our base stuff that day because we don’t have a week to prepare for them.  It will be about handling their athleticism and experience because they have a lot of both,” said Bates.

Published 11/19/20

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