LOUDONVILLE – A two-month whirlwind loaded with memorable big steps and breakthroughs for Tyler Bates has swiftly come to a stop on a new landing spot. Bates, who coached the Loudonville girls basketball team in the Division IV state semifinals March 18 in Dayton, announced four days later he would be resigning as the LHS […]
Tyler Bates
Posted inGirls Basketball
Bates stepping down at Loudonville when school year ends
LOUDONVILLE — One of the most successful basketball coaches in Ashland County history announced Monday that he will step down at the end of the school year. Loudonville coach Tyler Bates said he will resign as the Athletic Director and Dean of Students at LHS. “Subsequently, I will also be stepping down as the girls […]
Posted inStatewide Girls Basketball
Loudonville’s furious rally falls short in Final Four loss to state powerhouse Waterford
DAYTON — Loudonville senior Corri Vermilya helped limping teammate Sophia Spangler to the stage of Thursday morning’s state semifinal press conference in Dayton. Vermilya stopped just short of the last biggest step, picked up a tearful Spangler and physically carried her on to the stage. It was the final moment of their high school basketball […]
Posted inGirls Basketball
Successful road for Bates, Redbirds finally reaches pinnacle
LOUDONVILLE — It was almost as if Tyler Bates could finally exhale Saturday night. The 11th-year Loudonville girls basketball coach stood near mid-court at Massillon Perry High School – a grin on his face that refused to fade – soaking in reality. You got the sense he almost wanted to drag a sleeping bag onto […]
Posted inGirls Basketball
ANALYSIS: Loudonville heads to state tournament in rare underdog role
LOUDONVILLE — Rare air is all around the Loudonville girls basketball team. The Redbirds are in the state tournament for the first time since the 1992 squad finished as Division III state runner-up. Those ‘Birds beat Versailles 61-48 in the state semifinals before falling to Coldwater 63-47 in the championship game at St. John Arena […]
Posted inGirls Basketball
One final foe blocking Loudonville’s path to state tourney
LOUDONVILLE – The air is getting rare for the Loudonville girls basketball team. A 46-40 win over Danbury on Thursday night at Massillon Perry High School vaulted the Redbirds into the Elite Eight at 7 p.m. Saturday. They are the first girls basketball team in Ashland County to advance this far in over three decades, […]
Posted inAuto News Desk - Girls Basketball
Loudonville edges Danbury to reach Elite 8 for 1st time in 32 years
MASSILLON – It was an and-1 bucket that nearly blew the roof off the gym at Massillon Perry High School. Facing Lakeside Danbury in a Division IV regional semifinal Thursday, the Loudonville girls basketball team clung to a five-point lead with less than 90 seconds to play. After his team had stalled with the ball […]
Posted inGirls Basketball
Bates collects 200th win as Loudonville cruises past Mogadore for district title
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated at 8:12 p.m. CRESTON — Steamrolling foes has become routine for the Loudonville girls basketball team. So, Saturday afternoon’s 61-44 victory over Mogadore in the Division IV Norwayne District championship game was merely another example of the Redbirds following this season’s script. Coach Tyler Bates’ bunch shot out to […]
Posted inGirls Basketball
Loudonville’s Vermilya selected MBC Player of Year
LOUDONVILLE — The first of what will be many postseason awards arrived on Corri Vermilya’s doorstep. Loudonville’s senior standout was selected the Mid-Buckeye Conference Player of the Year after leading the Redbirds to their eighth consecutive MBC title. An Ashland University recruit, Vermilya recently became the only player in state history with more than 2,300 […]
Posted inGirls Basketball
Loudonville rips Lowellville to reach district finals
CRESTON — Ninth-ranked Loudonville’s state tournament goal remained on course Wednesday night as the Redbirds cruised throughout a convincing district semifinal performance. The ‘Birds buried Lowellville 65-19 at Norwayne High School in a Division IV tournament test. The top-seeded Redbirds (23-2) rolled to a 19-3 first-quarter lead and expanded the gap to 41-12 at halftime. […]